30+ Things to do on San Juan Island in November

November on San Juan Island offers just the right mix of fun — often free — things to do, plus plenty of sunshine. Add in attractive lodging and dining specials, and you’ve got the perfect fall getaway. Thanks to the Olympic rain shadow, the island enjoys roughly half the rainfall of Seattle. Come watch loons and sea lions during your sunset beach walk before kicking back in the two-person jetted tub in your cozy room at our charming hotel in Friday Harbor. Bring the family for the holidays, or sneak away with your favorite person for an arts-and-food weekend. On San Juan Island, November is a season made for cozy adventures.

1. First Friday Arts Walk

Browse participating galleries and shops in the completely walkable coastal town of Friday Harbor on the first Friday of every month.

2. Thanksgiving on San Juan Island

Leave the cooking to the adorable Coho Restaurant and the lodging to us, so you can relax.

3. Pool & Spa Day

Treat yourself to a facial or massage at the adorable Spa at Earthbox and get a pool pass for the day. Swim in the indoor heated pool, take a sauna and lounge in the oversized Jacuzzi.

4. Fall Foliage Hike at the Whale Watch Park

Yes, you can see Orcas any time of the year. While not as often as in summer, Whale Watch Park with its historic lighthouse and extensive trail system is the place to look.

5. San Juan Island Restaurant Week

Take advantage of incredible dinner discounts and special menus showcasing our isle’s culinary community. November 16-23, 2025.

6. Wine Tasting at Madrone Cellars

Add a wine-tasting-for-two right when you make your room reservation and enjoy island-made wines at Madrone Cellars' comfy tasting room right across from our Bird Rock Hotel.

7. Figure Drawing Class in the Woods

Treat yourself to a figure drawing class, complete with live, nude model, every other Wednesday evening at the whimsical Alchemy Art Center in the woods.

8. Whale Museum

Don’t miss this fantastic, one-of-a-kind, natural history museum, fun for the entire family. See real whale skeletons and learn how you can help our endangered Orcas.

9. Makers Art Market at the Grange Hall

Support local makers and get the cutest, island-made gifts, from handmade jewelry and paintings to clothing and woodwork. At the Grange just steps from our Friday Harbor hotel, on Sunday, November 9, 2025.

10. Fall Family Art Days at the San Juan Island Museum of Art (IMA)

Unleash your creativity as a family at the free Family Art Days on Saturday mornings at IMA through mid-November.

11. American Camp National Park Prairie Hike

Hike San Juan Island’s longest beach and endless prairies and see foxes, otters, eagles, hawks, maybe whales, and definitely migratory snowy owls — white giants who hunt during the day and compete with other raptors. Absolutely amazing to watch.

12. Farmers Market at Brickworks

Browse the Winter Farmers Market on the first and third Saturday of November. Treat yourself to lunch, a chair massage, live music and everything the isle has to offer.

13. Move your Body at the Studio

The Studio on beautiful San Juan Island is a Movement and Wellness studio that fosters bright, loving & healing energy to oneself and others. Treat yourself to Pilates, GYROTONIC, Barre, Yoga, TRX, Sound Healing, Reiki & Meditation plus a variety of virtual fitness classes.

14. Climb Mt. Young and look for Treasures

The steep 1.5-mile hike to the summit of Mt Young at English Camp National Park offers the most rewarding views of all the other islands. Keep your eyes out for painted stones and other little gifties that kind souls have sprinkled in the branches of several mighty madronas along the trail.

15. Explore Friday Harbor’s Poetry Gardens

Get inspired and intrigued by poems from islanders of all ages while meandering through Friday Harbor’s poetry gardens on the waterfront, at the Community Theatre and the Post Office.

16. Fireside Farm-to-Table Dinner at Duck Soup

Delight in local, foraged and seasonal fare along with handcrafted cocktails at this charming former woodshed with river-stone fireplace.

17. San Juan Island Sculpture Park

Take your time exploring this 20-acre gem with five trails and over 100 sculptures around a lake and along gorgeous Westcott Bay. Delight in the many interactive displays and have the kids make their own art.

18. Sushi Extravaganza

Discover the delights of authentic Japanese cuisine at Jima Sushi. From sashimi platters showcasing the freshest seafood to authentic bowls of ramen filled with savory broth and tender noodles, made from fresh, local ingredients, Jima offers an unforgettable dining experience, just a block from our hotel.

19. Tide-Pooling at Deadman Bay

Visit this stunning, crescent-shaped pebble beach during low tide and respectfully explore the tide pools under the watchful eyes of a harbor seal or two.

20. Poetry Reading at Griffin Bay Bookstore

Join Friday Harbor's Gary Thompson to welcome Ann Spiers and Ed Harkness with their new volumes of poetry on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

21. San Juan Distillery Tasting

Taste award-winning ciders and apple-based spirits under 100-year-old apple trees on beautiful Westcott Bay every Saturday.

22. Self-guided walking tour of historic Friday Harbor

Pick up a brochure at the local bookstore and get walking. Find out how Friday Harbor got its name, the fascinating history of our adorable, 133-year-old sister hotel and visit the first county jail.

23. Roche Harbor Mausoleum

Take a stroll through the woods and tour this eerie resting place of the McMillan family, who founded Roche Harbor.

24. Alchemy Art Center Annual Gala & Auction Fundraiser

Splurge on this fun Gala at the Friday Harbor Labs. The theme is Bioluminescence — a sparkle of light going into the darkness, and a celebration of our beautiful home in the Salish Sea. You are invited to interpret this theme in your attire. Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Friday Harbor Labs dining hall.

25. Movie & Pizza Night

Treat yourself to gourmet pizza at Van Go’s before heading for the latest blockbuster at historic Palace Theater, all just steps from our Friday Harbor hotel.

26. Driving Tour of the Isle

Tour the gorgeous San Juan Island Scenic Byway by car and explore the breathtaking vistas.

27. Climb San Juan

Drop by one of the fun rock-climbing walls at Climb San Juan and learn aerial silk movements on couples, ladies', or youth nights.

28. Watch a Play at the Community Theatre

Make it a fancy night out with national acts and local theater performances at this charming, little theater with local arts shows in the foyer and excellent libations during intermission, a block from our San Juan Island hotel.

29. Shopping Spree in Friday Harbor

Enjoy early holiday shopping at the cute boutiques and shops in walkable Friday Harbor.

30. Veterans Day Washington State Parks Free Day

Explore Lime Kiln State Park for free. Find lime kiln ruins in the woods and learn about the isle’s early industry. Look for winter wildlife at the whale-watching platforms and have a waterfront picnic.