Lopez Island is slow-paced and quiet. A small village offers a few shops and restaurants, but most of all, a peaceful setting for an easy day of sightseeing. So how do you make the most of your day trip?
We recommend following the main road to Lopez Village. Whether by car or bike, you can enjoy the rolling pastoral views in all directions.
Use the itinerary below to find the must-visit stops for your day on "slow-pez!"
At the Lopez Ferry Landing, you can find maps and information for your stay on Lopez. During the summer, bike rentals are available at the landing. Odlin County Park is just a mile down the road on the way to Lopez Village, about 4.5 miles away, where you'll find cafes, galleries and shops, as well as a well-stocked Chamber of Commerce office with friendly locals to help you find what you need.
Odlin County Park is just one mile from the Lopez Island Ferry Landing and three miles from Lopez Village. This 80-acre waterfront park features 30 campsites, separate group camp, a lovely sandy beach, a boat launch, hiking trails, a full-sized ball field and several picnic areas. Enjoy a hike or eat lunch in the picnic pavilion. There is also seasonal water, (no sewer hook-ups) toilets, five mooring buoys, and a day use dock.
Lopez Island Vineyards is a family run winery, producing fine wines from estate, organically grown grapes and select vineyards in the Yakima Valley. Lopez Island Vineyards offers their beautifully landscaped winery gardens as an intimate outdoor wedding location on Lopez Island. The organic gardens and contacts assure that your event will be as green and sustainable as possible. Lopez Island Vineyards is one of three wineries located in the beautiful San Juan Islands, and has a tasting room in Lopez Village where you can enjoy these delicious wines, including island-grown Siegerrebe and Madeline Angevine.
Nestled beside Fisherman Bay, Lopez Village is the compact, commercial hub of the island. About 4 miles from the ferry landing, you can easily stroll among a variety of shops and galleries, coffee shops, a bakery, and restaurants, as well as a fully-stocked grocery store, pharmacy, and organic grocery.
Spencer Spit State Park, on Lopez Island, is a 138-acre marine and camping park. The park is named for the lagoon-enclosing sand spit on which it rests. There are many sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables, and two miles of hiking trails. The park has a reputation for excellent crabbing and clamming.
Shark Reef Sanctuary is a hidden gem, tucked away on the west side of the island, where a short 10-minute walk through a forest will lead to a rocky shoreline with stunning views over the water and an almost certain seal (and perhaps sea lion and otter) sighting.—just be sure to follow the path around to the left. Length: 1.0 miles, roundtrip. Elevation: Gain: 40 ft; Highest Point: 60 ft.
Looking for a little more adventure? Check out the recreation and wildlife tours on the island. Book a whale and wildlife tour or a multi-hour kayaking trip. Or, stay on land and consider renting bikes or finding a trailhead. Explore hiking routes at Spencer Spit State Park, Shark Reef Sanctuary, and Upright Head Preserve.
