Even if you have been coming to the San Juan Islands every year since you were a child, we have gathered some fun facts about this beautiful slice of paradise, some of which may surprise you. May we present, in no particular order, 10 little known facts about San Juan Island:

It’s Summer on San Juan Island. Orca whales and outdoor weddings. Art fairs and music festivals. Hiking, biking and kayaking. Where will you start? We’ve made a list of the fun activities and cool events you can experience in August, so you don’t miss out!

As soon as you step off the ferry in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island you are immersed in all things whales. Whale watch and research vessels are bobbing in the harbor. Kayak and whale watch tour offices line the streets together with cafes, restaurants and galleries.

There is something special about seeing Orcas from land. You can hear them breach, breath and sing and if you aren’t already, this will be the moment you  fall in love with them forever. San Juan Island offers some of the best whale watching in the world.

San Juan Island is an amazing place to spend your honeymoon. It simply has it all: breathtaking vistas, amazing wildlife, stunning beaches, fun adventures like whale watching, kayaking, hiking and biking, rich history and the adorable coastal town of Friday Harbor with shops, restaurants, boutiques, museums and galleries, all in walking distance. Whether you want to get away from it all or be entertained and awed every minute of your trip, you’ll find it here, on beautiful San Juan Island.

Remember when you used to look for a hotel on the internet and the search result was just that hotel, not some third-party booking agency? Well, not anymore. Now you need to scroll past innumerable ads, then all those OTA’s (Online Travel Agents) and if you are lucky, you’ll find the website you are looking for on the first page of your search.

So what, you may ask. Isn’t it super convenient to see all hotels for the place you want to visit in one spot to compare prices? The short answer is: it’s misleading at best and deeply hurts small family-owned businesses such as our Bird Rock Hotel.

Most people visit San Juan Island to see Orca whales in the wild, watch rare birds and other wildlife, eat in fancy restaurants and have dessert, take a guided kayak tour, do wine and distillery tastings – the things you do on vacation. Have you ever wondered what the folks who live here do for fun? Check out our insider tips to experience San Juan Island like a local.

The best Summer Getaway is providing something fun to do for everybody in your family, with just the right mixture of outdoor adventure and relaxation, where you learn something new, get inspired and spend quality time together, making memories of a lifetime. The best Summer Getaway is not too far away and tons of fun to get to. The best Summer Getaway for the entire family is a trip to San Juan Island!  Here are 10 Family Fun things to do on the isle: