San Juan Islands
Around San Juan Islands
Photo: Jelson25 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Washington · 18k people
San Juan Islands
“The San Juans”, “Islands”
Where the Salish Sea meets the sky.
Salish Sea BlueEvergreen GreenIsland Sand
Welcome to the San Juan Islands, where the ferry is your lifeline and the orcas are your neighbors. Take it slow, explore the coves, and don't forget to look up at the eagles.
Clubs for San Juan Islands
No clubs for San Juan Islands yet.
The room
One room for everyone around San Juan Islands. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around San Juan Islands. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- San Juan Island National Historical Park (American Camp) Site of the Pig War, with prairie and coastal bluffs.
- San Juan Island National Historical Park (English Camp) Historic British camp with formal gardens and parade ground.
- Lime Kiln Point State Park Famous for orca watching and the historic Lime Kiln Lighthouse.
- Moran State Park Mount Constitution viewpoint and old-growth cedar forest.
- The Whale Museum Dedicated to orcas and marine life of the Salish Sea.
- Friday Harbor Main ferry hub with waterfront shops and restaurants.
- Outdoors Hike Mount Constitution in Moran State Park
- Outdoors Kayak around Orcas Island's coastline
- With kids Visit The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor
- With kids Tidepool at San Juan County Park
- Evenings Live music at island pubs
- Evenings Sunset sail on a schooner
- Locals love Kayak put-ins
- Locals love Farm stands
Through the year
- San Juan Island Lavender Festival July Celebrates the lavender harvest with farm tours, music, and crafts.
- San Juan County Fair August County fair with livestock, 4-H exhibits, food, and live music.
- Orcas Island Film Festival October Independent films from around the world in intimate island venues.
- Tour des Lacs September Scenic bike ride around the lakes of Moran State Park.
- Orcas Island Half Marathon April Challenging road race with stunning island views.
Mild maritime climate with cool, dry summers and rainy, mild winters. Best time to be out is late spring through early fall. Best: Late spring through early fall
Talk like a local
- “Island time”
- Relaxed, on no one's schedule.
- “The ferry”
- The Washington State Ferry system.
- “Inter-island”
- Between the islands.
- “Orcas”
- Both the island and the whales.
Getaways
- Victoria, BC Take the ferry to the capital of British Columbia for gardens, museums, and afternoon tea.
- Bellingham, WA College town with a waterfront, breweries, and Fairhaven district.
- Port Townsend, WA Victorian seaport with a historic downtown and art scene.
- Skagit Valley, WA Famous for spring tulip fields and farm stands.
Local flavour
Rooting for Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks
Eat and drink
- Fresh oysters Local oyster farms in the islands.
- Dungeness crab A Pacific Northwest delicacy.
- Wild salmon Salmon runs are central to the region.
- Fish and chips A classic seaside meal, often with local cod or halibut.
- Island berry pie Made with local blackberries, raspberries, and huckleberries.
Where people go
- Ferry terminals The lifeline connecting the islands to the mainland.
- Lighthouses Historic beacons like the one at Cattle Point.
- Whale-watching boats A defining activity of the islands.
- State parks Moran State Park and others offer forested trails and views.
- Small-town harbors Marinas and docks in Friday Harbor and other villages.
- Lavender farms The islands are known for lavender cultivation.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaVictoriaBritish ColumbiaWhere the ocean whispers and gardens bloom.Oak HarborWashingtonIsland calm, Pacific Northwest soulCowichan ValleyBritish ColumbiaWhere the forest meets the lake.BellinghamWashingtonWhere the mountains meet the sea, and the coffee is always fresh.Port TownsendWashingtonWhere the mountains meet the sea, and history sails on.Skagit ValleyWashingtonWhere tulips bloom and tides turn.Port AngelesWashingtonWhere rainforest meets the seaDuncanBritish ColumbiaWhere the river meets the sea and totems stand tall
San Juan County, WA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.