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Roche Harbor Summer Getaway Guide

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Photo by Jack Riley

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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Top Rainy-Day Activities in the San Juan Islands

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couple on a rainy day in Friday Harbor

Originally Published Dec. 19, 2019 | Updated Nov. 13, 2024

Thanks to being located in the heart of the Olympic Rain Shadow, the San Juan Islands enjoy an average of 270 days with sunshine. But, that doesn’t mean it never rains. The lush forests and fertile farmland are proof that they San Juans get their fair share of drizzle — especially during the cooler months. Luckily, there are a plethora of things to do in the San Juan Islands when it rains.

There are a variety of ways to get from Seattle to San Juan Island and Orcas Island, the fastest and (in our humble opinion) most beautiful way is to fly. We offer regular flights from Boeing Field to Eastsound Airport and Friday Harbor. Seasonally, we also offer seaplane flights from Lake Washington and Lake Union to the San Juan Islands.

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pacific northwest

20 Things To Do In The Pacific Northwest

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PNW Mountains by Kalen Emsley

There are hills to hike, waterfalls to explore, and plates of eggs Benedict to devour. This is your ultimate Pacific Northwest travel bucket list. And, it’s just in time for kicking off the New Year!

It’s loaded with seaside cocktails, DIY brewery tours, and can’t-miss donuts. It features remote fishing destinations, sea-to-table cuisine, and some of the most Instagram-worthy spots around.

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couple walking on the dock with a de havilland beaver

Top Romantic Getaways in the San Juan Islands

couple and a de havilland bever

While dinner out and a dozen roses are nice, we like to think a quiet fall getaway is the ultimate in perfection. Quiet getaways say, “I want to focus on you.” They offer a level of intimacy you don’t get with a staycation. There’s no laundry to wash or dishes in the sink. No one has to worry about vacuuming or mowing the lawn.

It’s just the two of you, together, in a little slice of heaven. Whether you want to stay in and lounge or get out and explore all that fall in the San Juans has to offer, the following are a few of our favorite romantic San Juan Island getaways that let the two of you be you.

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Maggie in Friday Harbor

The Ultimate Guide to 48 Hours in Friday Harbor, WA

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Maggie in Friday Harbor

On the edge of the US and Canadian border, where the ocean flows freely between the two countries – water-locked drops of island oases can be found. With the Olympic Mountains lining the horizon and old-growth forests aplenty, the 250 days of sunshine beckon visitors and delight locals.

Friday Harbor, the largest of the San Juan Islands’ towns, is home to some of the finest restaurants, coffee shops, and artists’ studios and galleries. Here, whale watching enthusiasts enjoy the sights of resident and transitory pods; outdoor adventurists explore a variety of parks and trails; and boaters take full advantage of known and lesser-known coves, marinas, and shorelines.

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Top Wedding Venues, Photographers & Florists in the San Juan Islands

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Mar 18, 2022 Mikaela Judd
Top Wedding Venues, Photographers & Florists in the San Juan Islands

Pebble Cover Farm on Orcas Island by Satya Curcio Photography

Sweeping grasslands. Old-growth forests. Rocky shorelines. The San Juan Islands are enchanting. Like a moment out of time, they seem to be almost untouched. The clean air. The 220 days with sunshine. The enchanting views.

It’s what makes the San Juans the ideal wedding destination for couples with adventurous souls. The following outlines some of the best wedding venues, florists, and photographers — all home based in the San Juan Islands. Whether you’re eloping, want an intimate gathering or are planning a soiree for the whole crew, there’s magic to be found in the San Juans.

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Calling All Book Lovers

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Mar 14, 2022
Calling All Book Lovers

The annual Orcas Island Lit Festival is returning June 3-4.

This three-day festival features panels, readings, and events highlighting the vibrant literary culture of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Authors range from Pulitzer Prize winners to gifted new voices. They herald from throughout the country, in a rich mix of local and national voices. Take full advantage of this uniquely intimate setting to engage with world-class writers, ask questions and explore their work.

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Island Fibers on Lopez Island.jpg

Island Fibers on Lopez Island

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Nov 2, 2021
Island Fibers on Lopez Island

How two local artisans support island agriculture through the Slow Fiber Movement.

There’s a rural beauty to Lopez Island, a slowness that’s earned it the nickname ‘Slowpez.’ This is thanks in large part to the generously flat terrain, where gently rolling hills are studded with farms and speckled with artisans. While the locally grown offerings are diverse — including beef, pork, and berries — the quaint 29.5 square-mile agricultural community is perhaps best known for its sheep.

Lopez Island wool products, in particular, are heralded throughout the United States and beyond for their exceptional quality and beauty. This is in no small part thanks to Maxine Bron- stein and Debbie Hayward, founders of Island Fibers.

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Island Hopping with Kids

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Island Hopping with Kids

A weekend jumping from Orcas to San Juan Island.

Watch the sun slowly dip down from the comfort of your own balcony after you’ve scrubbed the dirt and washed the sand off your little ones from a long day of exploring. Instead of battling crowds and waiting in lines, introduce your children to the finer things in life like clams caught mere steps from where they are eaten. Spend your mornings walking out to an island made accessible only by low tide.

Listen in awe at the excited squeals from each discovery of sea stars, sea cucumbers, and crabs. Spend the day whale-watching and the evening on a sunset sail. From Lopez to Orcas and San Juan Island, each has its own distinct sense of place and will have a unique draw to visitors. When you cannot decide which island is right for you, don’t. Instead, plan an “island-hopping” adventure, combining the best of what a couple of islands have to offer.

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Washington’s Pig Headed War

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Jul 26, 2021 Mike Vouri
Washington’s Pig Headed War
Photo by Tomas Nevesely

The killing of a pig nearly plunged the United States and Great Britain into war in 1859. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed.

Long before the San Juan Islands were a vacation destination, they were the focus of an international crisis ignited by an unlikely incident: The shooting of a pig in a potato patch. This was the famous Pig War of 1859, when military and naval forces of the United States and Great Britain almost came to blows in midsummer after the death of the Berkshire boar.

But in the end, not a single shot was fired. The nations opted for peace, an outcome that was commemorated more than 100 years later with the creation of San Juan Island National Historical Park. The issue, aside from mid-19th century notions of honor, was mainly about real estate.

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