As soon as you step off the ferry in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island you are immersed in all things whales. Whale watch and research vessels are bobbing in the harbor. Kayak and whale watch tour offices line the streets together with cafes, restaurants and galleries.
Hiking in our incredibly gorgeous State of Washington is its own reward. Every cell in your body gets energized, your heart is pumping and after an especially steep stretch, your body is flooded with endorphins, making you feel happy and giddy to be alive. Then there is hiking on San Juan Island with its clean, salty air, tons of wildlife and beautiful surroundings. Just when you think, it can’t get any better than this with the eagles, the foxes and the wildflowers, you come around a corner with such a spectacular view, it might just take your breath away.
A romantic getaway to beautiful San Juan Island is so easy to plan. It says “we love each other”, expressing your longing to connect, play, relax and relax together.
Lisette and her adorable family (soon to be plus one) visit San Juan Island every year. They created this lovely tradition for their cute son Jasper. On their last visit, Jasper went on his first whale watch tour, got to eat home-made pasta at a Farm-to-Table restaurant and skipped stones at South Beach.
A weekend getaway to San Juan Island, with its breathtaking nature, astonishing wildlife and rich culture, always feels like a world away. Even more so in the off season.
Summer is almost over! Did you make yours count? There is something special about visiting San Juan Island in late Summer, going on the last whale watch tour of the season, shucking your own oysters on the beach before the Seafood Farm closes for the Winter, experiencing the abundance of late Summer at the Farmer’s Market and going for that once a year swim in the mighty Pacific Ocean.
Late fall and winter are marvelous times to visit San Juan Island. The Olympic Rain Shadow graces the island with crystal clear, sunny days while other Washingtonians are donning fleece and rain gear. The peak season is over, the beaches and trails are empty, some restaurants and adventure providers close, but with a little insider knowledge and planning, you can treat yourself to an unforgettable island holiday for half the price of a summer vacation.
October is a lovely month in the San Juans. Long sunny Fall days give way to crisp, starry nights. Our hard working island farmers harvest the abundant fruits of their labor, and in turn, our skilled island chefs create delicious feasts, living up to our fame as the “gourmet archipelago”. Island artists delight with new creative works, inspired by nature and paradise. Savor the San Juans is a month-long medley of food, art and culture, so rich that it’s hard to decide what to do. Here are several of my absolute favorite Savor events.
My husband and I travel well together. We are very active, outdoorsy people, but also like to learn about the history and culture of the places we visit. We love San Juan Island because it has it all: rich history, astonishing nature, and world-class art
