Seattle - San Juan Islands flights from $179 pp/ow!
Seattle - Refuge Cove flights from $399 pp/ow!
Some folks take years to become acquainted with the San Juan Islands. There’s a certain beauty in slowly acquainting yourself with the hemlock and peeling Madrone. The gourmet archipelago’s constantly evolving topography grows to as many as 743 rocks at low tide, showing off unspoiled coves and blue-green tidal waters. But for those who don’t have a decade (or more) to explore the rolling farmland, craggy coastline, and quaint island towns — we have the next best thing.
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Never has a bar felt so much like visiting someone’s home. And never has someone’s home had such enjoyable beer. San Juan Island Brewing Co. has all the elements that make a rural pub a quintessential part of a community — a large space, down-to-earth service, and local ownership. But unlike the English pub with dodgy cuisine and standard drinks, this San Juan Island watering hole has a gastropub worthy menu (at affordable price points) and seassionable beers flavorful enough to win awards (while tame enough to enjoy a few pints without wanting a nap).
“This whole place is driven by the community,” explained Tim Alyward, part owner at San Juan Island Brewing Co.
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You don’t have to be a boat lover to enjoy this boater’s paradise. Roche Harbor’s richly preserved history offers nineteenth-century clapboard buildings, old gardens, and incredible sunsets – all perfect for relaxing. Enjoy local seafood, some of the best doughnuts in the Pacific Northwest, and views of the surrounding mountains.
Whether you arrive by boat or seaplane, be sure to keep an eye out for pods of local orcas. They can frequently be seen playing in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands, especially during the summer months.
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A serene haven, San Juan Island’s natural beauty unfolds in every direction. The rolling hills, lush forests, and rugged coastlines feel almost untouched by time. Here, the air is crisp and tinged with the scent of saltwater. Sea-to-table and farm-to-table cuisine reigns supreme. Artists flourish and community thrives.
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A towering peak, protected pebble-covered beaches, and a thriving farm-to-table food scene has earned Orcas Island a cult-like following. Visitors and locals alike rave about the horseshoe shaped gem, where the sun is more likely to shine than not and the views abound. While it’s hard to go wrong with any activity, the following showcase some of our favorite things to do on Orcas Island this summer.
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“One of the things that drives my art is the desire to protect beautiful places,” said Nancy McDonnell Spaulding. An accomplished San Juan Island artist and newly published author, Nancy’s work does so by showcasing simple pleasures — often found tucked among awe-inspiring sights.
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While technically a part of Washington State, San Juan Island feels a bit like a foreign country. Heck, some of its rocky coves are closer to Canada than the American mainland. And traveling from Tacoma to San Juan Island is no small feat — until recently. Reaching the quaint Olympic Rainshadow destination is now as simple as catching a 55-minute scenic flight from Tacoma’s Ruston Way seaplane terminal.
Located within the Olympic Rainshadow, San Juan Island offers a sun-filled reprieve from the drizzle of T-town. The following outlines the four most common ways to travel from Tacoma to San Juan Island.
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Island life is slow and beautiful in Friday Harbor. Here, the streets feature roundabouts rather than stoplights and restaurants showcase farm-to-table cuisine. Perched one block above the Friday Harbor Marina, Friday Harbor House is ideally positioned for the ultimate weekend getaway.
This quaint San Juan Island hotel offers expansive views of seaplanes landing and ferry boats docking. It’s conveniently located within walking distance of the entire downtown core, while still feeling removed enough to give you a sense of solitude. Not to mention, it’s home to one the best restaurants on the island — The Restaurant at Friday Harbor House.
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While summer boating roots run deep at Roche Harbor, this historic destination also blooms during the shoulder season. The site — a former lime quarry and manufacturing plant in the late 1800s — is now the pinnacle of luxury on San Juan Island. Modern lodging options (along with more modest historic ones), a host of dining establishments, and a plethora of nearby things to do make Roche Harbor the ultimate destination for families, couples, and gal-pal getaways.
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Sunsets in the San Juan Islands are visceral. Visits here seem to draw you to rocky shorelines and towering peaks (we’re looking at you Mount Constitution) to bask in the burst of burnt oranges and bright magentas as they fade into gentle pastels. While no one island in this remote archipelago far surpasses another, Orcas Island sunset locations do include the tallest peak and most convenient ‘town’ access.
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