Exploring San Juan Island
You’ll discover something new around every bend in the road on San Juan Island—an alpaca ranch, a sweeping valley dotted with cows or sheep, the terraces of a lavender farm, vineyards with a tasting room in a historic schoolhouse, deep forest giving way to shining sea, a pod of orca whales, and two iconic lighthouses. Variety, beauty, serenity . . . day after amazing day.
Friday Harbor
Caution: many of the 8,000 year-round residents of San Juan Island fell in love with it during their first visit, and the town of Friday Harbor was where it all began. (Often it was love at first sight, before they even got off the ferry.) In this historic, compact, and very walkable town, the hub of the island, you can easily fill a delightful day. Stroll through art galleries, bookstores, and antique shops, sample a bouquet of boutiques, stop for a cafe lunch or enjoy a world-class dinner overlooking the harbor, visit The Whale Museum and the San Juan Historical Museum, or meander through the marina.
In this visitor, family, and dog-friendly town, you’ll find many of the San Juans’ whale and kayaking tour headquarters, the Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Center, historic Palace Theater (first-run movies on two screens!), a community theater (weekend plays and musical events), and a plethora of B&Bs and other lodgings.
No need for a car here. Everything is within walking distance of the ferry landing, including San Juan Transit shuttle buses to take you around the island, as well as bike, three-wheeled Scootcoupe, and moped rentals.
Roche Harbor
At historic Roche Harbor Resort on the north end of the island you’ll find several waterside eateries, a marina full of beautiful yachts, and local artisans’ booths in summer—showing off jewelry, wool, paintings, pottery, and more.
The resort’s centerpiece, the Hotel de Haro, has stood since 1886, when what was a sleepy Hudson Bay Company camp became a full-fledged lime works and company town—remnants of the giant lime kilns are still there. Near the entrance to Roche Harbor you’ll find the San Juan Islands Museum of Art Sculpture Park—more than 100 sculptures placed in an open, 19-acre, natural setting. You can ramble among the sculptures or follow the nearby nature trail that takes you into a native forest and close to Westcott Bay, home of the world-famous oysters.
Exploring the Island
When you travel the island beyond Friday Harbor, you’ll journey through miles of farmland and stretches of forest on your way to American Camp or English Camp, both part of the San Juan Island National Historical Park, or to the two waterfront state and county parks. You’re bound to hear about the 1859-1872 Pig War ”Crisis,” when Great Britain and the United States settled ownership of the islands through peaceful arbitration—the national park marks the sites of the U.S. and British encampments.
American Camp includes the island’s longest stretch of beach, South Beach, and a network of forested and open trails along the coast, Jakle’s Lagoon and Mt. Finlayson. Orcas occasionally swim past this beach, and sharp-eyed youngsters may spot agates among the beach’s colorful stones. Close to Friday Harbor lies Jackson Beach, a popular picnicking, wading, and dog-walking/swimming spot.
Lime Kiln Point State Park on the island’s west side is also known as Whale Watch Park for good reason—the three local orca pods are frequent summer visitors. This is the only park in the world dedicated to shore-based orca whale watching. A seasonal interpretative center offers information on orcas and a history of the lime kilns and the nearby lighthouse, and you have a choice of forest and shoreline hiking trails.
Other popular stops: Pelindaba Lavender Farm in the middle of the island, one of the largest in the country, for a taste of all things lavender in the aromatic store, housed in a historic island home—and host to the July lavender festival. Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm, also mid-island, where more than 50 endearing alpacas roam the gentle pasture slopes. Stroll around the farm and browse the store for alpaca everything—socks, scarves, toys, and sweaters.
Art Gallery - Local Island Artists - Fine Arts and Crafts - Made on San Juan Island [more...]
Founded in 1964, the San Juan Island Yacht Club's membership has grown to over 300 active boaters. Our clubhouse is a full service facility with large meeting room, bar and kitchen facilities. The San Juan Island Yacht Club is a cruising club. Our members travel as far north as Glacier Bay and south to the Gulf of California. We sponsor 10 to 12 local cruises each year along with major racing events, including the Shaw Island Classic. Additionally, sailors are invited to participate in the One Design race series. [more...]
Adventure Attractions Northwest offers sea kayaking, whale watching, flight seeing, bicycle tours, land tours and much more.
We are continually adding more exciting things to do. Put our website on your 'favorites' so that next weekend's adventure is just a click away.
Adventure Attractions North West will connect you to the best, most experienced outfitters in the Northwest, which includes San Juan Islands and Seattle. Operators are pre-qualified so that you can start having fun now. Take the trip you have always wanted. Reserve your adventure now!
Open daily year-round, the Pelindaba Lavender Friday Harbor Product Gallery provides a location close to the ferry landing for visitors who might not be able to visit the farm for one reason or another, but who still want a taste of our handcrafted lavender products (literally and figuratively). [more...]
Air-conditioned Paradise Lanes and Games Arcade has eight lanes of bowling, three pool tables, air hockey and arcade video games. We also are the only games arcade for the "under-21" set in the islands. [more...]
We offer riding lessons, scenic forrest trail and pony rides, full care horse boarding, hay and grain sales as well as an outdoor riding arena. Give us a call and head out to Horseshu Ranch for some fun! [more...]
Winery, vineyard, tasting room, and gift shop. Located at 3136 Roche Harbor Rd., we boast our line-up of award-winning wines including our estate Siegerrebe and Madeleine Angevine. Taste wine in a historic, turn-of-the-century tasting room; enjoy the ambiance of our grounds; and our small wedding chapel is available for your special day. We are one of two wineries found in the San Juan Islands. [more...]
Friday Harbor Marine is in Spring Street Landing, on the waterfront in Friday Harbor. Friday Harbor Marine offers a variety of activities to get visitors out onto the water. Rent family-safe Hobie pedal kayaks, Duffy electric party boats, Boston Whalers with outboards, or Stabi Craft runabouts. Explore the marina, Brown Island, and the protected harbor from the water, or take a short ride to Turn Island State Park for a hike and a picnic, or go fishing or crabbing. Friday Harbor Marine also provides yacht brokerage and marine repair services at our slips on the Fuel Pier. [more...]
Friday Harbor welcomes a new Friday evening experience, the Friday Harbor Art Market, just steps from the ferry landing, on Thursdays from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m., June 21 - September 20 at the Brickworks Plaza on Sunshine Alley. Approximately 20 local artists will feature a variety of creations for sale -- pottery, jewelry, photographs, clothing, sculpture, textiles, paintings, soaps, woodwork, and more -- plus local musicians will present live music throughout the evening. [more...]
The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild is a 501©(3) Washington State non-profit corporation. A mission to foster a vibrant and sustainable local food system in San Juan County, Washington, through technical and financial support to the agricultural community, consumer education, and advocacy on behalf of consumers and agricultural producers. [more...]
Located steps from the Friday Harbor ferry terminal, San Juan Safaris Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours has an excellent reputation for respectful wildlife viewing. Owner operated since 1995, this company is known for providing high-quality, small-group size whale watching & wildlife tours. [more...]
Experience The Spa at Earthbox. Let our soothing ambience and the indulgence of Comfort Zone, a line of high quality products from Italy, work their magic. Our commitment to you is absolute: renew and rediscover.
Spa Services Include:
• Massage, including therapeutic, relaxation and hot stone
• Luxurious body and face treatments
• Signature nail care [more...]
Explore San Juan Island at your leisure with a moped, scoot-car, or car from Susie's Mopeds, an island tradition since 1986. Let our professional and friendly staff help plan your island adventure and get you on your way. Pack your lunches and enjoy spectacular scenery of a full-day tour or head off to a specific location like the Whale Watch Park. We offer hourly and daily rates.
"You are off the ferry and on your way!” [more...]
We are Friday Harbor's oldest antique shop, with complete estate services, licensed auctioneers and certified appraisals. Come in and browse one of the Northwest's best shops featuring unique, eclectic and one-of-a-kind treasures-since 1984. [more...]
We are a cozy, inviting, and well organized used bookstore housed in a 100-year-old historic home above the ferry landing. We offer over 40,000 titles in our computerized inventory, and are open seven days a week. [more...]
