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The Bird Rock Blog
Thoughtful travel guides, seasonal stories, and island life—one month at a time.
Updated monthly, our blog shares insider tips, curated experiences, and local stories from San Juan Island, written by the team behind Bird Rock Hotel. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, dreaming about a future visit, or simply curious about island life, you’ll find inspiration here.
Explore our most recent posts below—each written with care, curiosity, and a local’s perspective.
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The 3 Best Places to see Orca Whales from Land on San Juan Island
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...
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5 Tips to plan the Perfect Mother’s Day on San Juan Island
It doesn’t have to be Mother’s Day proper for you to celebrate the most amazing woman in your life, but celebrated she must be, especially...
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5 Dazzling Wildflower Hikes on San Juan Island
It could be said that our Earth laughs in wildflowers. Nowhere is this more true than in April and May on San Juan Island. Meadows...
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5 Most Exhilarating Hikes on San Juan Island
Hiking in our incredibly gorgeous State of Washington is its own reward. Every cell in your body gets energized, your heart is pumping and after...
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The Best of San Juan Island - a Scenic Tour of the Isle
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...
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San Juan Island - Off the Beaten Path
I love San Juan Island and make a point to visit at least three times each year. I love how everything slows down as soon...
