Plan your trip to San Juan Island, Washington with our guide to the best things to do, top restaurants, and where to stay in Friday Harbor and beyond.<\/p>\n
San Juan Island, the second largest of Washington\u2019s San Juan Islands, is known for its temperate climate, easy-going island vibe, and multitude of outdoor recreation options.<\/p>\n
A place where there\u2019s seemingly an adventure around every corner, there is an activity here suited for almost every interest. Read below for our tips on where to stay and the best activities on San Juan Island, Washington.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/ordinarytraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/cannot-miss-places-san-juan-islands.jpg\" "\\"The")
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Things to Do on San Juan Island<\/h2>\nKayaking<\/h3>\nJoining a kayaking tour with Discovery Sea Kayaks is one of San Juan Island\u2019s most popular activities, and for good reason. Offering half day, full day, sunset, and overnight trips, the experience guarantees awesome wildlife viewing (including potential whale encounters), quality equipment, and highly-skilled guides.<\/p>\n
I had a blast on my two-day tour with them. Spending two days in nature, with nothing but the sound of our paddles hitting the water is an experience I\u2019ll never forget!<\/p>\n
Read more: San Juan Islands Kayaking: A Multi-Day Trip for Spotting Whales<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n![\"Kayaking](\"https:\/\/ordinarytraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/san-juan-island-washington-kayaking.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLime Kiln State Park<\/h3>\nLime Kiln State Park<\/a>, also known as Whale Watch Park, rests on the west side of San Juan Island and is known for its gorgeous sunsets, diving opportunities, and excellent bird-watching. Not to mention the abundance of Orcas who hang out in the waters of Haro Strait.<\/p>\nIf Lime Kiln Point State Park has you wanting to get out on the water rather than just watch from shore, a guided kayak tour<\/a> launches you right into the same prime whale-watching waters, paddling the west side coastline with views of the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island in the distance.<\/p>\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/ordinarytraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/san-juan-island-washington-things-to-do.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWhale Watching<\/h3>\nSpeaking of whale watching, if you\u2019re looking for an excellent experience, then a tour with Western Prince<\/a> is the way to go. Their Western Explorer is an open-air, zodiac-style boat that gets you out fast to where the wildlife is, their tour sizes are kept small, and their captains and naturalists are very knowledgeable.<\/p>\n\n![\"Whale](\"https:\/\/ordinarytraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/san-juan-island-washington-whale-watching.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nFriday Harbor<\/h3>\nKnown as \u201cthe gateway\u201d to San Juan Island, Friday Harbor is a quaint town home to mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, museums, and tour headquarters. The beauty of Friday Harbor (besides visually of course) is that all the attractions in the town are within walking distance of the ferry landing.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Friday](\"https:\/\/ordinarytraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/san-juan-island-washington-friday-harbor.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Read more: Packing Light: How To Pack For Carry-On Only<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nSeaplane Tour<\/h3>\nBooking a seaplane tour to take you over San Juan Island will not only offer you an unbeatable bird\u2019s eye view, it will also provide you a fun narration from very knowledgeable guides so that you can fully grasp what you\u2019re looking at from your perch high in the sky.<\/p>\n
Bioluminescence Night Paddle<\/h3>\nFor a completely different kind of kayaking experience, a nighttime paddle out of Friday Harbor (book here<\/a>) lets you see the water come alive with bioluminescence. Launching at dusk from Jackson\u2019s Beach into Griffin Bay, you\u2019ll paddle out among harbor seals as the sky darkens, then watch the water light up with a natural blue-green glow as your paddle disturbs the tiny organisms below.<\/p>\nLavender Fields at Alchemy Art Farm<\/h3>\nEasily reached from Friday Harbor, the lavender fields at Alchemy Art Center<\/a> (formerly Pelindaba Organic Lavender Farm) are still open to the public and worth the short drive. It\u2019s a perfect spot for photo opportunities!<\/p>\n Read more: Best Weekend Getaways In Washington State<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nSouth Beach<\/h3>\nLocated on the south of the island in the National Historic Park, South Beach is a pebble beach perfect for relaxing, lighting up a fire pit, or having a picnic. The beach is a quick seven miles from Friday Harbor and, in the summertime, often hosts live music. Don\u2019t forget to keep your eye out for the adorable wild foxes if you head this way!<\/p>\n
\n![\"South](\"https:\/\/ordinarytraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/san-juan-island-washington-south-beach.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Read more: The Ultimate Packing Guide for Travel Photographers<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nCattle Point Lighthouse<\/h3>\nResting on the southeastern tip of San Juan Island is Cattle Point Lighthouse, a 34-foot white tower that provides a pretty contrast to the surrounding natural scenery. While the lighthouse was built by the US Navy in 1935, there has been a navigation lantern in this spot from as early as 1888.<\/p>\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/ordinarytraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/san-juan-island-washington-lighthouse.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSan Juan Vineyard<\/h3>\nDo you have a love for great wine, or just love strolling around pretty grounds while taking in lush scenery? Then a visit to the award winning San Juan Vineyard is for you. In operation since 1996, the vineyards feature wine tastings, tours, and even different events throughout the year.<\/p>\n
The Whale Museum<\/h3>\nLocated in Friday Harbor, The Whale Museum<\/a> first opened to the public in 1979 and since has been \u201cpromoting stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research.\u201d A visit to the museum will teach you all about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and they even have an adopt-a-whale program.<\/p>\n Read more: The Ultimate Packing Checklist for Campers<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Must-Try Restaurants on San Juan Island<\/h2>\nDuck Soup<\/h3>\nLocated four and a half miles from Friday Harbor, Duck Soup is a sophisticated restaurant that is out to give visitors a \u201csense of place\u201d by procuring ingredients from local farms, fisheries and craft-makers. The space is beautifully styled in country d\u00e9cor making the atmosphere cozy and inviting.<\/p>\n
San Juan Island Brewing<\/h3>\nSan Juan Island Brewing Co., located in Friday Harbor, is an independent craft brewery that serves locally-brewed ales and lagers. In addition to their excellent beers, they also offer traditional pub fare such as burgers and pizza.<\/p>\n
Mike\u2019s Cafe & Wine Bar<\/h3>\nLocated in downtown Friday Harbor, Mike\u2019s Caf\u00e9 & Wine Bar is a relaxing place to go for a locally sourced wine, beer, and healthy eats. The restaurant\u2019s mission is to, and to help others, live sustainable, healthy lives with compassion for the planet, and so all their menu options are vegan.<\/p>\n
Friday Harbor House<\/h3>\nThe restaurant located in the Friday Harbor House Hotel is a favorite for local islanders and visitors alike. Their menu options are created with fresh, local ingredients, and their daily brunch can\u2019t be missed.<\/p>\n
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Where to Stay On San Juan Island<\/h2>\nBird Rock Hotel<\/h3>\nLocated right downtown in Friday Harbor,\u00a0Bird Rock Hotel<\/a> is a 15-room boutique location that features all kinds of rooms and amenities, including homemade scones in the morning, and access to their off-site indoor pool and fitness studio. The hotel<\/a> even provides complimentary beach cruiser bikes!<\/p>\n Read more: Best Weekend Getaways in the USA<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nLakedale Resort<\/h3>\nLocated at Three Lakes rests Lakedale Resort<\/a>, a destination that provides accommodations ranging from hotel rooms, log cabins, camping sites, to canvas-style \u201cglamping\u201d sites. Situated over 82 acres, Lakedale Resort is a haven for outdoorsy types, providing activities such as boat rentals, stand-up paddle boards, fishing opportunities, and so much more.<\/p>\n\n![\"Lakedale](\"https:\/\/ordinarytraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/lakedale-resort-san-juan-island-washington.jpg\" "\\"The")
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San Juan Island Packing Essentials<\/h2>\n Sun Gear:<\/strong> A stay on San Juan Island basically means you\u2019ll be spending much of your time outdoors, so make sure to pack sunglasses (these are my go-to budget sunglasses<\/a>) and sunscreen (this is my absolute favorite daily sunblock<\/a>).<\/p>\n Whale Watching Gear:<\/strong> While San Juan Island doesn\u2019t get the amount of rain that Seattle gets, if you plan on going whale watching, you\u2019re going to want to take a waterproof windbreaker<\/a> and waterproof backpack cover<\/a>. And don\u2019t forget your binoculars<\/a>!<\/p>\n Swim Gear:<\/strong> With so many water sports available, don\u2019t forget to pack your favorite swimsuit and quick drying towel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\u00a0
\nPlan Your Trip<\/b><\/p>\nSign up<\/b> for my travel newsletter here<\/a> and be the first to get my best travel advice and secret finds \u2014 so you can discover hidden gems, and travel like an insider (not just a tourist).<\/p>\n<\/center>After traveling consistently for over 20 years, I\u2019ve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help me find the best deals on flights and accommodation.<\/p>\n
Flights:<\/b> Going<\/a> is the first place I check when searching for cheap flights. If you sign up for their email alerts, you\u2019ll receive flight deals at up to 90% off. I have traveled all over the world using their flight deals.<\/p>\nAccommodation:<\/b> Booking.com<\/a> offers savings on hotels, apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.<\/p>\nTravel Insurance:<\/b> I never travel without a travel insurance policy<\/a> because it\u2019s not worth the risk! I use and trust Visitors Coverage<\/a>, which I have used for the past 10 years.<\/p>\nLet me book your trip!<\/b> Looking for a Travel Advisor to help you plan your trip? Learn more here<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Joining a kayaking tour with Discovery Sea Kayaks is one of San Juan Island\u2019s most popular activities, and for good reason. Offering half day, full day, sunset, and overnight trips, the experience guarantees awesome wildlife viewing (including potential whale encounters), quality equipment, and highly-skilled guides.<\/p>\n
I had a blast on my two-day tour with them. Spending two days in nature, with nothing but the sound of our paddles hitting the water is an experience I\u2019ll never forget!<\/p>\n
Read more: San Juan Islands Kayaking: A Multi-Day Trip for Spotting Whales<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Lime Kiln State Park<\/a>, also known as Whale Watch Park, rests on the west side of San Juan Island and is known for its gorgeous sunsets, diving opportunities, and excellent bird-watching. Not to mention the abundance of Orcas who hang out in the waters of Haro Strait.<\/p>\n If Lime Kiln Point State Park has you wanting to get out on the water rather than just watch from shore, a guided kayak tour<\/a> launches you right into the same prime whale-watching waters, paddling the west side coastline with views of the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island in the distance.<\/p>\n Speaking of whale watching, if you\u2019re looking for an excellent experience, then a tour with Western Prince<\/a> is the way to go. Their Western Explorer is an open-air, zodiac-style boat that gets you out fast to where the wildlife is, their tour sizes are kept small, and their captains and naturalists are very knowledgeable.<\/p>\n Known as \u201cthe gateway\u201d to San Juan Island, Friday Harbor is a quaint town home to mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, museums, and tour headquarters. The beauty of Friday Harbor (besides visually of course) is that all the attractions in the town are within walking distance of the ferry landing.<\/p>\n Read more: Packing Light: How To Pack For Carry-On Only<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Booking a seaplane tour to take you over San Juan Island will not only offer you an unbeatable bird\u2019s eye view, it will also provide you a fun narration from very knowledgeable guides so that you can fully grasp what you\u2019re looking at from your perch high in the sky.<\/p>\n For a completely different kind of kayaking experience, a nighttime paddle out of Friday Harbor (book here<\/a>) lets you see the water come alive with bioluminescence. Launching at dusk from Jackson\u2019s Beach into Griffin Bay, you\u2019ll paddle out among harbor seals as the sky darkens, then watch the water light up with a natural blue-green glow as your paddle disturbs the tiny organisms below.<\/p>\n Easily reached from Friday Harbor, the lavender fields at Alchemy Art Center<\/a> (formerly Pelindaba Organic Lavender Farm) are still open to the public and worth the short drive. It\u2019s a perfect spot for photo opportunities!<\/p>\n Read more: Best Weekend Getaways In Washington State<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Located on the south of the island in the National Historic Park, South Beach is a pebble beach perfect for relaxing, lighting up a fire pit, or having a picnic. The beach is a quick seven miles from Friday Harbor and, in the summertime, often hosts live music. Don\u2019t forget to keep your eye out for the adorable wild foxes if you head this way!<\/p>\n Read more: The Ultimate Packing Guide for Travel Photographers<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Resting on the southeastern tip of San Juan Island is Cattle Point Lighthouse, a 34-foot white tower that provides a pretty contrast to the surrounding natural scenery. While the lighthouse was built by the US Navy in 1935, there has been a navigation lantern in this spot from as early as 1888.<\/p>\n Do you have a love for great wine, or just love strolling around pretty grounds while taking in lush scenery? Then a visit to the award winning San Juan Vineyard is for you. In operation since 1996, the vineyards feature wine tastings, tours, and even different events throughout the year.<\/p>\n Located in Friday Harbor, The Whale Museum<\/a> first opened to the public in 1979 and since has been \u201cpromoting stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research.\u201d A visit to the museum will teach you all about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and they even have an adopt-a-whale program.<\/p>\n Read more: The Ultimate Packing Checklist for Campers<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Located four and a half miles from Friday Harbor, Duck Soup is a sophisticated restaurant that is out to give visitors a \u201csense of place\u201d by procuring ingredients from local farms, fisheries and craft-makers. The space is beautifully styled in country d\u00e9cor making the atmosphere cozy and inviting.<\/p>\n San Juan Island Brewing Co., located in Friday Harbor, is an independent craft brewery that serves locally-brewed ales and lagers. In addition to their excellent beers, they also offer traditional pub fare such as burgers and pizza.<\/p>\n Located in downtown Friday Harbor, Mike\u2019s Caf\u00e9 & Wine Bar is a relaxing place to go for a locally sourced wine, beer, and healthy eats. The restaurant\u2019s mission is to, and to help others, live sustainable, healthy lives with compassion for the planet, and so all their menu options are vegan.<\/p>\n The restaurant located in the Friday Harbor House Hotel is a favorite for local islanders and visitors alike. Their menu options are created with fresh, local ingredients, and their daily brunch can\u2019t be missed.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Located right downtown in Friday Harbor,\u00a0Bird Rock Hotel<\/a> is a 15-room boutique location that features all kinds of rooms and amenities, including homemade scones in the morning, and access to their off-site indoor pool and fitness studio. The hotel<\/a> even provides complimentary beach cruiser bikes!<\/p>\n Read more: Best Weekend Getaways in the USA<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Located at Three Lakes rests Lakedale Resort<\/a>, a destination that provides accommodations ranging from hotel rooms, log cabins, camping sites, to canvas-style \u201cglamping\u201d sites. Situated over 82 acres, Lakedale Resort is a haven for outdoorsy types, providing activities such as boat rentals, stand-up paddle boards, fishing opportunities, and so much more.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sun Gear:<\/strong> A stay on San Juan Island basically means you\u2019ll be spending much of your time outdoors, so make sure to pack sunglasses (these are my go-to budget sunglasses<\/a>) and sunscreen (this is my absolute favorite daily sunblock<\/a>).<\/p>\n Whale Watching Gear:<\/strong> While San Juan Island doesn\u2019t get the amount of rain that Seattle gets, if you plan on going whale watching, you\u2019re going to want to take a waterproof windbreaker<\/a> and waterproof backpack cover<\/a>. And don\u2019t forget your binoculars<\/a>!<\/p>\n Swim Gear:<\/strong> With so many water sports available, don\u2019t forget to pack your favorite swimsuit and quick drying towel<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sign up<\/b> for my travel newsletter here<\/a> and be the first to get my best travel advice and secret finds \u2014 so you can discover hidden gems, and travel like an insider (not just a tourist).<\/p>\n <\/center>After traveling consistently for over 20 years, I\u2019ve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help me find the best deals on flights and accommodation.<\/p>\n Flights:<\/b> Going<\/a> is the first place I check when searching for cheap flights. If you sign up for their email alerts, you\u2019ll receive flight deals at up to 90% off. I have traveled all over the world using their flight deals.<\/p>\n Accommodation:<\/b> Booking.com<\/a> offers savings on hotels, apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.<\/p>\n Travel Insurance:<\/b> I never travel without a travel insurance policy<\/a> because it\u2019s not worth the risk! I use and trust Visitors Coverage<\/a>, which I have used for the past 10 years.<\/p>\n Let me book your trip!<\/b> Looking for a Travel Advisor to help you plan your trip? Learn more here<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLime Kiln State Park<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWhale Watching<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nFriday Harbor<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSeaplane Tour<\/h3>\n
Bioluminescence Night Paddle<\/h3>\n
Lavender Fields at Alchemy Art Farm<\/h3>\n
South Beach<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCattle Point Lighthouse<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSan Juan Vineyard<\/h3>\n
The Whale Museum<\/h3>\n
Must-Try Restaurants on San Juan Island<\/h2>\n
Duck Soup<\/h3>\n
San Juan Island Brewing<\/h3>\n
Mike\u2019s Cafe & Wine Bar<\/h3>\n
Friday Harbor House<\/h3>\n
Where to Stay On San Juan Island<\/h2>\n
Bird Rock Hotel<\/h3>\n
Lakedale Resort<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSan Juan Island Packing Essentials<\/h2>\n
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