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:
Winters on San Juan Island are invigorating, quiet, festive and just what the doctor ordered when holiday planning, cooking and shopping gets you down. Our brisk, sunny days – courtesy of the Olympic Rain Shadow
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.
The most fantastic and comprehensive way to experience San Juan Island for the first (or fiftieth) time is driving or biking the Washington’s Scenic Byway route. Explore breathtaking beaches, National Historical Parks, unique farms and world class art and find your favorite spot on our little slice of paradise. Here’s a guided tour to keep you going for a full weekend.
San Juan Island and its quaint coastal town of Friday Harbor are especially charming in the Winter. When Seattleites are bundling up in rain gear and have said goodbye to the sun for months to come, the San Juan Islands, just 65 miles north, are enjoying many sunny, crystal clear days, courtesy of the Olympic Rain Shadow.
A romantic getaway to beautiful San Juan Island is so easy to plan. It says “we love each other”, expressing your longing to connect, play, relax and relax together.
There is nothing like a picnic on the beach overlooking the Salish Sea with only Orca whales and Bald Eagles watching. San Juan Island’s astonishing beauty offers breathtaking places to stop and have a snack. Let me share my favorite picnic spots with you, along with some tips on what to bring and where to get it.
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.
If you have ever lived in a place with seasonal tourism you’ll know: the exhale after the high season is over, the giddiness of the first rain after the Summer, the gratefulness resulting from the earth's changing position in regard to the sun. We San Juan Islanders created a month-long celebration around this feeling and call it Savor the San Juans.
San Juan Island, with its breathtaking beaches, parks & activity farms is the perfect place for an outdoor wedding. Imagine yourself tying the knot on the rugged cliffs next to the historic Lime Kiln Lighthouse high above the glistening Salish Sea, in the purple fields of the Pelindaba Lavender Farm or on the shell speckled beach of the serene Westcott Bay Seafood Farm. We took the liberty to compile a list of island specific insider tips, to ensure your outdoor wedding on San Juan Island will be a huge success.
