With a sigh of contentment, you step out onto the San Juan Islands and into a slower pace of life. It also gave us the most mesmerizing ride — ferry rides are magical in the San Juan Islands. Private cabins overlooking the water, hotels in the middle of town, cozy B&Bs tucked away in pastoral loveliness, it's all here, offering you different atmospheres and opportunities to enjoy your island getaway. Stayed at the Old Trout Inn on Orcas, a fabulous B&B not far from the ferry terminal, owned by an elderly French couple. Today is a day to revel in the scenery, as we make our way through the San Juan Islands. Many drivers wave as they pass and you will receive one of the friendliest welcomes anywhere in the United States. Anyway, our first day was a fun one. I could have stayed on that ferry all day, but it was time to explore Friday Harbor. The Airbnb was just up the road from the ferry terminal which gave us exciting views of the ferries as they come and go. Sample the artsy vibe of San Juan’s lovely Santurce neighborhood before setting sail for the yachting mecca of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Answer 1 of 8: We are doing a girls trip to the San Juan Islands mid-June and staying in Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. All comments are governed by our Privacy Policy & Terms. Orca whales roam the waters from April to September, and rolling farmland inland gives way to small coastal towns filled with art galleries and boutiques. Booking activities, dining, and lodging  in advance will help your trip run smoothly. Eastsound is an absolute must visit. The summer months bring on peak prices, too. Ursa Minor also kindly hosted us for dinner. Day 3 - Cruising the San Juan Islands. It’s quieter than San Juan and Orcas islands, but just as interesting. Their hay ice cream was involved and it was awesome. Request a printed brochure and map here. Just found your website. Whether you ride a Washington State Ferry from Anacortes (you can now make a reservation at www.takeaferry.com), fly from Seattle or SeaTac Intl. We could have stayed around our cottage for hours, but we had a dinner reservation at Ursa Minor. See hidden gems. July and August are the warmest months to visit and also the busiest. Lopez Island, San Juan Islands, Washington. We love the San Juan Islands, situated north of Seattle at the very last reaches of Washington State.The San Juans are ideal to visit in summer and fall, but can make for a great (and affordable) winter or spring retreat as well. It’s cozy and welcoming. Our lodging listings will help you get one step closer to your vacation. They may only be an hour away, but the moment you step onto one of the islands, you are on island time. I have a thing for ferries, have you noticed? San Juan Islands sound wonderful. Created by a user from United States. We cannot wait to go back. On our way back from the park we stopped into a local brewery. Go whale watching? Artists range from well known to unknown, and there are exciting new additions every year. Your cruise is as much about the journey as it is about each destination. We have wanted to visit San Juan Islands, Washington for a long time — even before we moved to Washington state. Have you ever been glamping? We went glamping on San Juan Island and loved it. We love the San Juan Islands, situated north of Seattle at the very last reaches of Washington State.The San Juans are ideal to visit in summer and fall, but can make for a great (and affordable) winter or spring retreat as well. An itinerary combining the civilized pleasures of the city with the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands would make an ideal vacation. To get there, head north on I-5 for about an hour and a half until you reach Anacortes. I know it may sound a little strange, but I swear, it’s one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. If you’re on Lopez, stopping into a local farm stand or two is a must. Some people say it's the light, some say it's the sea air, some say it's the weather (temperatures are always moderate, and rainfall is roughly half what it is in Seattle). We finally made our choices and ordered a cheese platter featuring local eats to go alongside our drinks. The ride takes around 50 minutes and if you’re on the ferry during the day, the views are endless. I would love suggestions on restaurants, not to miss scenery and to see what you all think about the following plan. The moment we got off the ferry, we headed to Sunnyfield farm where they raise goats and make the most delicious cheeses and yogurt. Flowing streams, lush forests and endless water activities–it’s no secret that the Pacific Northwest is one of the most diverse boating playgrounds in the world. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What a trip! We enjoyed our visit to the very beautiful San Juan Island. With the perfect ratio of milk to cheese to sauce, this macaroni and cheese is at the top of… Brown Bear Baking was an immediate favorite. Related: What are the most popular tours in San Juan Islands? There is MUCH more to see beyond this iterary and you could just as easily spend your whole charter anchoring in quiet bays or docking each night at marinas. Call the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm PST at 1-888-468-3701 or email us at info@visitsanjuans.com. San Juan Islands Sample Itinerary. Custom Design by Nina Cross Answer 1 of 8: We are doing a girls trip to the San Juan Islands mid-June and staying in Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. Click over to see where we stayed and what we did, the Mansion Restaurant at Rosario Resort and Spa, Seattle Road Trip – Mt. Day 1 - Sucia Island. Read more, My favorite turkey burger recipe! We fell in love immediately, it’s called Island Hoppin’ Brewery and had lots of options on tap. The San Juan Islands are a bucolic wonderland with a pace of life reminiscent of a time long passed on the mainland. Travel Advisory: Find the latest information HERE. Head out on a kayak trip, cycle around Lopez, or climb Mount Constitution on Orcas? The tiny town of Friday Harbor is the largest village on the San Juan Islands, and it fits within just 2.6 km (1 sq mi) of space. I would appreciate it very much if you take a look at the following itinerary and let me know if it makes sense. You can also get from Sea-Tac Airport or downtown Seattle to the San Juan Islands ferry terminal in Anacortes on the Airporter Shuttle (tel. Dec 10, 2019 - Follow this 3-day San Juan Islands itinerary for a food, wine and adventure filled getaway in the Pacific Northwest with recommendations on what to see & … It’s unbelievably quiet (other than the sheep, deer and rabbits hopping around). Knowing how to visit the islands efficiently can help you enjoy your time there without draining your pocketbook. 5 days aren’t enough to visit the all island, but people can do a lot too. Article updated, originally posted November 2017. Here’s a list of local farms to explore. We use our extensive experience of the San Juan Islands to custom plan each route. This is the least physically demanding itinerary of any kayaking expedition in the San Juan Islands. Dessert made us happy, too. sounds as though we did several of the same things. Itinerary for San Juan Islands On the MV Westward Itineraries are dependent on weather and tides and may change at the captain’s discretion. The Friday Harbor ferry landing pops you right into town where you’ll find many restaurants, shops and cafes. Edited: 1 year ago. We drove up to Mt. This time we spent three nights on Orcas and one night on Lopez. Visit San Juan Islands. Planning a Trip to San Juan: 1 Week Puerto Rico Itinerary […] Josue September 5, 2019 - 10:26 am I love your Picture and Your experience in my beautiful country. Led by naturalist guides and captains, climb aboard a Blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pacific Northwest searching for orca, humpback and gray whales. Depending on when your flight is you might be able to catch a ferry on the same day. After your flight to Seattle you will need to get to Anacortes, WA to catch the ferry to get to Orcas Island. Answer 1 of 2: We have a work conference in Vancouver, BC at the end of October. Each of the islands offers you something different in terms of landscape, dining and amusement, but they all promise high quality accommodations. A 6-day/5 night voyage on Westward around the San Juan Islands. Flowing streams, lush forests and endless water activities–it’s no secret that the Pacific Northwest is one of the most diverse boating playgrounds in the world. We ordered a sample tray and sipped alongside the locals. After a quick lunch at Cask and Schooner, we hopped back onto the ferry to get back to Orcas. This itinerary provides a nice overview of the San Juan Islands and assumes that you would like to split your time more or less evenly beteen state parks and marinas. Hi, So want to visit the islands after reading of your trip. I picked up a ginger cookie and Adam went for a croissant. As we say farewell to the USA San Juan Islands we prepare for more memory making after crossing the border onto Vancouver Island Canada, or "San Juan West." San Juan Island (the location of the well-known town, Friday Harbor) is a foot-friendly island. This time, we relied on the ferry system and were so glad that we did. Planning a Trip to San Juan: 1 Week Puerto Rico Itinerary […] Josue September 5, 2019 - 10:26 am I love your Picture and Your experience in my beautiful country. This easy recipe makes pancakes that are light and fluffy and only calls for a few simple ingredients you probably have in… From there, we drove a little further around the island to see Moran State Park. San Juan Islands Sculpture Park . Find travel ideas and itineraries to visit the San Juan Islands. That day, we stopped into the local food co-op (also in Eastsound) and picked up a smoothie. It’s free to reserve and you can do it online here. The San Juan Islands are no different. We both adore island travel. Constitution, which is the highest peak in the San Juans. All opinions are our own. Please review our Comment Guidelines. We fell in love — the beautiful decor, the imaginative menu and locally (even micro locally) sourced ingredients. Here’s a delightful dilemma: what will you do first on your visit to the San Juan Islands? I would love suggestions on restaurants, not to miss scenery and to see what you all think about the following plan. Every island offers you an abundance of choices—luckily, you can’t go wrong. San Juan Islands Whale Watching (half day) Anacortes is home port to one of the world’s largest whale watching fleets, with two daily sailings in season. Answer 1 of 12: My wife and I are planning an 8-day trip for the first week of July. Here is our weekend yacht itinerary for exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands. Situated just two hours north of Seattle, a trip to the San Juan Islands is just a gorgeous drive on I-5 away! Explore the itinerary and overview for a luxury Caribbean cruise from San Juan to San Juan with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. You will have a great time. Cruising Itineraries – San Juan Islands Cruise – 7 day For centuries the call of the San Juan Islands has lured adventurous mariners seeking a special place. I’d be lying if I said that was enough time, we both cannot wait to go back. Whale watch from a 46-foot tour boat or 40-foot Zodiac! We did not get to visit at the other islands. This itinerary includes two of my favorite hotels in Seattle, allowing you to conveniently explore different parts of the city, as well as my two favorite hotels in the endlessly scenic archipelago just to the northwest. (How does salmon-stuffed scratch croissants sound?) San Juan Island… the sunshine, the water, the wildlife- it truly is paradise! Across the street, we stopped into Cynthia’s for a coffee to go as well as another treat (I couldn’t help myself). We walked onto the ferry — it’s free for walkers — and sailed through the islands to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Your visit to the San Juan Islands sounds quite amazing . I ordered the Northern Exposure cocktail which had vodka, gin, jasmine, Samish bay Greek yogurt, dill and lime. We visited on San Juan Island a year ago. We’re Adam and Joanne, the creators of Inspired Taste. Prestige 630. Guides will factor in wind, tides, and currents to determine the safest and best route.We balance all factors to provide the best camping and whale watching opportunities. Wander through the 20 acres of The San Juan Islands Sculpture Park to enjoy over 150 unique sculptures in a variety of media, from wood and metal to glass and stone. Rainier to Urban Hotel Oasis, Exploring Old Town Alexandria – Take Out Pho, Homemade Pico de Gallo (Fresh Tomato Salsa). The 3 Day San Juan Island Kayak Camping Tour is perfect for those wanting to spend more time exploring the San Juan Islands. This is our most popular multi-day kayaking tour option. We did not get to visit at the other islands. Flying in to Sea-Tac and planning on taking the ferry from Anacortes. If this is your first trip to the San Juan Islands, brush up on some valuable hints that will make all the difference! Thank you so much for waiting. If you haven’t visited these islands and don’t know where to start, we recommend a two-day itinerary on San Juan Island with kids. In our room there was a full kitchen with everything you would ever need. You can get there by ferry or by a small plane. We were visiting our son who lives and works in Friday Harbor. A perfect kayak trip for people with limited vacation time, families, and anyone who loves being surrounded by wild beauty. All comments are moderated before appearing on the site. After such an incredible dinner, we went back to our cottage. That night, we checked out The Barnacle. Jump to the full Pie Crust Recipe. The San Juans are a collection of islands to the north of Seattle, WA. Your visit to the San Juan Islands sounds quite amazing . We went last September. Breakfasts were amazing. Four of the islands can be accessed by ferry: Orcas Island, San Juan Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island. Travel Aug 05 - Aug 09. here’s some travel credit for your first trip! You should book your ferry in advance to make sure you get a spot if you are coming in the summer. We are so happy you’re here. Bring cash along since not everyone has credit card machines. The next day, before heading to Lopez Island, we had brunch at New Leaf Cafe. Discover the beauty, history and culture of the islands. There are four main islands in the San Juans — San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island and Shaw Island. It was so good, I wish I had it every day. Adam actually found me a shirt that read “I believe in ferries.” I want that shirt. It works great on a phone. We were there for just a couple of days when our son had his days off from work. Just gorgeous. Travel Aug 05 - Aug 09. 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