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 beauty offers breathtaking places to stop and have a snack. Let us share our favorite picnic spots with you, along with some tips on what to bring and where to get it.

Provisions

Friday Harbor’s Saturday Farmers Market is a haven for putting a picnic together. Choose from freshly baked breads and (savory and sweet) pastries, pizza, raw oysters, smoked salmon, cheeses and fruits. Or head to the San Juan Food Coop for healthy, yummy, island-made snacks and a good bottle of local wine. Make sure you have the tools you need - bottle opener, knife, cups - and the smears you crave - mustard, Tabasco, fresh lemon, bring a blanket and off you go!

Close to home – Jackson’s Beach

Jackson’s Beach, a calm driftwood beach with picnic benches and barbecues, is exactly one mile from the Bird Rock Hotel. There is a volleyball court and an old salmon cannery on a spit. This is the perfect outing for you and our complimentary beach cruiser bikes.

Breathtaking views - Lime Kiln State Park

Lime Kiln State Park is considered one of the best places to watch Orca wales from land anywhere in the world! The gorgeous park features a lighthouse, a look out platform, extensive hiking trails and picnic benches throughout. There is a restored limekiln you can climb down to. Even on the busiest summer days you’ll find privacy and calm here.

Climbing high – Mt .Young

Located in English Camp, the top of Mt. Young lends amazing views of all the other islands. The steep three-mile round trip hike rewards you with views of Bald Eagles nesting in wolf trees, so close, you can look them in the eye. People propose up here. And you will see why. There are no benches, just soft moss and wildflowers covering rugged granite cliffs.

On a Knoll - San Juan County Park

This cute park offers kayak and boat launching, two crescent shaped beaches, toilets, picnic benches and a grassy knoll overlooking the vast Salish Sea. Bring your lawn games and blanket and await the sunset.

Wild & Free - South Beach

San Juan Island's longest and wildest beach offers picnic tables as well as thousands of comfy drift wood logs to dine on. Watch whales, sea lions and otters from shore. Play in the tide pools or fly a kite.