View Full Version : Heading for the San Juan Islands … Hoping Bae has input!
Should be there for this weekend. Didn’t think there would be time but it should work out. Any words of wisdom of things not to miss, places to stay or ? We’ll be coming from Burlington so will reserve ferry. Appreciate any help you can give!
Well, the first thing not to miss is the ferry :-). Reservations are essential, and make sure to show up in time for your reservation to be valid.
Second thing - the interisland ferry service has recently been somewhat unreliable due to "staffing shortages", especially on weekends. Factor that into any hard-and-fast plans you have for tight-schedule island-hopping. We have a small group of private captains who spring into action when this happens, carrying foot passengers only, 360-303-6860, ask for Thomas.
The ferry ride to/from the mainland is quite enjoyable if viewed as an inexpensive cruise.
Next step: pick which island(s) you wish to visit. The ferry only goes to 4 of them. One of them, Shaw, is lovely but has no facilities and is very small. San Juan Island is our most cosmopolitan island, and the main town there is right by the ferry landing and is walkable. It has two National Parks that celebrate the Pig War, American Camp and British Camp. Lime Kiln Park on San Juan Island is good for land-based whale-watching, bring a picnic and relax, no guarantees of whales of course.
If you prefer hiking, and varied terrain, Orcas Island, the one I live on, offers some wonderful hikes and views. Mt. Constitution in Moran Park is the highest spot for 60 miles and the view from the top is insane. 50-60 miles of easy -> difficult trails in that park. The other mountain on Orcas, Turtleback Mountain, is public land as well, and offers some stunning views, and relatively easy hiking. Orcas has lots of restaurants, agricultural lands, potteries, art studios, and so on. A car is a necessity here, or bicycles. Terrain is hilly at times, bicycling here is not for the faint of heart, unless you go with an electric-assist bicycles. Nice bicycles are easy to rent in the village.
Lopez Island has a small village, lots of farms, and a handful of restaurants. Our flattest island, great for cycling.
Places to stay: each island has a handful of real B&Bs and perhaps a small hotel or two. Google/expedia may help to find someone with an opening. Each island has lots of AirBnBs/VRBOs. There's camping in Moran Park on Orcas, and in Spencer Spit State Park on Lopez - it is best to arrange reservations before arrival.
All three major islands will have farmer's markets on Saturday, which can be fun, often there is music and food stalls and so on.
If you are just here for a weekend visit, consider not rushing and not trying to see everything at once. Maybe pick one island, do a day trip to one of the others if your first pick bores you :-). On short visits the ferry ride + the queuing time at the ferry lines will eat up a chunk of your total time, so plan accordingly.
Feel free to throw out questions!
Bae, have you had much smoke up there? And frugal, welcome to Washington!
Thanks Bae for the inside scoop! I am usually quite the planner but we have waited because of the wildfires. We were not sure which direction to go. It appears to have cleared. So, based on the wait and your recommendation, we may just do a short day trip TBD. As you noted.. it is a very busy place and we waited too long to book! We will do the North Cascade Loop and, hopefully, will have a chance to get a taste of the islands too!
Thanks KayLR! This is my first visit to the Pacific Northwest!
We sometimes get terrible smoke here blowing over from wildfires in the region. This most recent event, prevailing wind patterns protected the archipelago, compared to the mainland where it was just horrible.
Frugal-one, this sounds wonderful. Please share photos from whenever you go.
We sometimes get terrible smoke here blowing over from wildfires in the region. This most recent event, prevailing wind patterns protected the archipelago, compared to the mainland where it was just horrible.
Up to about a week ago we had really bad smoke here because of the Bear Gulch fire. We are about 20mi from Lake Cushman. The fire seems to be traveling away from our direction so it hasn't been as bad. Or maybe I'm just so used to it I don't smell it. I know the air traffic has abated. They were taking water out of the bay here. Pretty interesting to watch.
happystuff
9-10-25, 9:09am
frugal-one, have a great trip! Based on bae's description alone, I would love to see the area/islands!
frugal-one
9-15-25, 7:09am
In Seattle now and will leave for home tomorrow. The North Cascade loop has beautiful mountain views! IMO second to Glacier National Park! I took photos but they did not capture the majesty! Bae has previously posted beautiful pictures of the islands.
Gas is $5+ a gallon, food is unbelievably high (waitstaff make $20/hour) and lodging estimated to be around $50/night more for same brand elsewhere. When in Anacortes, I wanted to stop for coffee and a pastry. Coffee was minimum of $5 and a pastry was close to $8/each. I couldn’t do it…. instead we went to the farmers’ market and bought an overflowing pint of raspberries for $5! They were wonderful and healthier too! Thought of Bae while there. I overheard two men discussing island politics!
I’m glad I came to visit. I got a taste of the welcoming Pacific NW!
Did you make it all the way over to the San Juans?
frugal-one
9-15-25, 9:59pm
We went down the coast on Sunday to Whidbey Island but did not take the ferry. It was gloomy and looked like rain. Unfortunately, we got there too late and decided to just go on. Even so, we felt it was a worthwhile jaunt!
iris lilies
9-15-25, 10:06pm
“Gloomy and looked liked rain”
Isn't that every day there? Haha, maybe not. I hope you had decent weather.
frugal-one
9-15-25, 10:17pm
“Gloomy and looked liked rain”
Isn't that every day there? Haha, maybe not. I hope you had decent weather.
Saturday was the only day we encountered rain. Otherwise, the weather was perfect!
“Gloomy and looked liked rain”
Isn't that every day there? Haha, maybe not. I hope you had decent weather.
The San Juan Islands often benefit from a weather phenomenon known as "The Blue Hole". Mountain ranges nearby (Olympics, Cascades, and the mountains on Vancouver Island) scrape off most of the bad weather before it gets here, and the surrounding seas keep the temperatures moderate year-round. Don't tell anyone, but it's quite sunny and nice here most of the year :-)
iris lilies
9-15-25, 11:09pm
The San Juan Islands often benefit from a weather phenomenon known as "The Blue Hole". Mountain ranges nearby (Olympics, Cascades, and the mountains on Vancouver Island) scrape off most of the bad weather before it gets here, and the surrounding seas keep the temperatures moderate year-round. Don't tell anyone, but it's quite sunny and nice here most of the year :-)
well that’s nice, but y’all still have too many trees. You won’t lure me there.
well that’s nice, but y’all still have too many trees. You won’t lure me there.
You have sound concerns. I am engaged in constant warfare with them.
rosarugosa
9-16-25, 6:21am
In Seattle now and will leave for home tomorrow. The North Cascade loop has beautiful mountain views! IMO second to Glacier National Park! I took photos but they did not capture the majesty! Bae has previously posted beautiful pictures of the islands.
Gas is $5+ a gallon, food is unbelievably high (waitstaff make $20/hour) and lodging estimated to be around $50/night more for same brand elsewhere. When in Anacortes, I wanted to stop for coffee and a pastry. Coffee was minimum of $5 and a pastry was close to $8/each. I couldn’t do it…. instead we went to the farmers’ market and bought an overflowing pint of raspberries for $5! They were wonderful and healthier too! Thought of Bae while there. I overheard two men discussing island politics!
I’m glad I came to visit. I got a taste of the welcoming Pacific NW!
Sounds like a lovely visit!
frugal-one
9-16-25, 7:27am
We went down the coast on Sunday to Whidbey Island but did not take the ferry. It was gloomy and looked like rain. Unfortunately, we got there too late and decided to just go on. Even so, we felt it was a worthwhile jaunt!
ETA we were there Saturday NOT Sunday… went to the farmers’ market. Funny how days meld into each other?
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