Photo by Evan Leeson
Experiencing the San Juan Islands
North American travelers need not look to other continents to experience an island vacation getaway. At the northwest section of the United States sits the exotic archipelago named San Juan Islands.
The San Juan archipelago is actually composed of more than 150 islands and boasts a long shoreline that stretches to more than 30 miles. The three major and biggest islands include Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Island. Officially a part of the U.S. state of Washington, San Juan possesses all the qualities of a vacation destination. It has the scenic landscape, the beautiful sandy beaches and the tropical tranquil atmosphere that city dwellers yearn for.
Photo by cleverdame107
Exploring the coastal waters of San Juan is one of the best things to do while here. There are a number of harbors that provide easy access to motorboats, sailboats and yachts.
For marine animal enthusiasts, San Juan Islands is an ultimate destination. The archipelago is the home to a population of orca whales. Thus, one of the biggest islands in the region is named after these whale species. If you want to see these magnificent creatures in action, book one of the many whale watching tours offered around the archipelago’s coastal waters.
You can also check out the Lime Kiln Point State Park, one of the most popular spots in San Juan for whale watching. Other marine creatures that thrive around the islands include Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, Common minke whales and River otters.
Photo by Miles Ritter
Friday Harbor is one of the most prominent towns in San Juan Island. This charming historic town offers its guests a wide range of top class restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and places to shop. Friday Harbor is small enough to make it easy for you to walk around the marina and to the town’s famous attractions like the Palace Theater, San Juan Historical Museum and the Whale Museum. Jackson Beach just beside the town makes a nice spot for swimming, picnicking and relaxing.
The Island Inn at 123 West (123 West St, Friday Harbor – Island Inn at 123 West) is a boutique hotel just minutes from the ferry and has modern condo-style suites with luxury accommodations. If you want to sleep in and bright sunlight wakes you up, don’t select a room with a view of the harbor.
Or try The Snug Harbor Resort & Marina (1997 Mitchell Bay Rd., Friday Harbor – Snug Harbor Resort and Marina). They offer deluxe one and two bedroom cabins with full kitchens, sumptuous interiors, fireplaces, flat screen TV’s and private decks right on Mitchell Bay. Guests enjoy beach side fire pits, barbecues and the complimentary use of two canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards or bikes. Whale watching and sea kayaking tours leave daily from the docks, just steps from your front door.
Don’t miss San Juan Island Cheese (155 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor – http://www.sjicheese.com/) for lunch and try Van Go’s Pizza (180 Web Street, Friday Harbor – http://www.vangopizza.net/) for dinner. San Juan Island Cheese is a local cheese and wine bistro that showcases artisan cheese, beers, and wines from the Pacific Northwest. Try the house-made locally-smoked salmon chowder if it is available and the cheesecake and chocolate truffles (made with local goat cheese) for dessert. At Van Go’s Pizza get a large Caesar salad and one of their specialty pizzas and relax outside after a day of exploring and whale watching.
If you want to know more about the activities and tours in the entire island, just drop by one of the many tour offices in town.
Photo by Nemo’s Great Uncle
If you are looking for other beaches, the longest stretch you can find on South Juan Island is the South Beach located in an area called American Camp. This place is also highly visited for its hiking trails, forests and beautiful natural sites like Mount Finlayson and Jakleís Lagoon.
Another interesting fact about the San Juan is it houses one of the country’s biggest lavender farms, Pelindaba Lavender Farm. Situated in the middle of San Juan Island, this farm houses an aromatic store and is the host to the July lavender festival. Visiting Pelindaba will allow you to learn more about lavender growing, and to take some of the best fragrant products home with you.
Photo by cleverdame107
On the north end of the San Juan Island lies another lovely site called Rocke Harbor Resort. The seaside resort offers a luxurious yacht marina, and is populated by seafood eateries and local artisan shops. While here, take the time to drop by the San Juan Islands Museum of Art Sculpture Park, which features a 19-acre open garden area which contains over 100 exquisite structures. The park is part of the Westcott Bay Reserve, a region also widely known for its native oysters.
Photo by cleverdame107
You may also like these pages about Washington State, The Pacific Northwest and other destinations:
- Coming Soon
- Coming Soon
- Coming Soon
Point Roberts – Map Oddity
Due to the agreement between the U.S. and Canada that drew the boundary line at the 49th parallel, the southernmost tip of the Tsawwassen Peninsula, south of Delta, British Columbia is cut off from Canada making it one of the very few exclaves of the U.S. It can be reached by air or water from the U.S. but by land only by traveling through Canada.
Other U.S. exclaves include the state of Alaska, parts of Minnesota such as the Northwest Angle and Elm Point and Province Point, Vermont. Alburgh, Vermont is also separated by land from the rest of the United States but can be reached by highway bridges originating in the United States.
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