The Bird Rock Blog

Thoughtful travel guides, seasonal stories, and island life—one month at a time.

Updated monthly, our blog offers insider tips, curated experiences, and local stories to help you make the most of your time on San Juan Island. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, dreaming of next season, or just want a deeper sense of what island life feels like, you’ll find it here.

Explore our most recent posts below—each written with care, curiosity, and a local’s eye.

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San Juan Island, Washington
Vacation Like a Local on San Juan Island – 8 Insider Tips

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...

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San Juan Island, Washington
Everything You Need to Know about Visiting San Juan Island in the Fall

Fall is San Juan Island’s secret season.  It feels a lot like Summer, but with fewer people and more food. The island is graced with...

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Friday Harbor, Washington
Late Night Places to Eat in Friday Harbor

Residents of other islands in the San Juan Islands archipelago call Friday Harbor lovingly and with a little wink, “sin city”. You might think: nights...

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San Juan Island, Washington
The Perfect Picnic Spots on San Juan Island

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...

Bird Rock Hotel Washington