Best of the San Juan Islands Itinerary
The San Juan Islands are an easy half-day drive and ferry ride from Seattle or Vancouver. Expect crowds on summer weekends; avoid them by visiting in the off-season or in the middle of the week. Even at their most crowded, the San Juans offer a peaceful respite from city living.
Each of the islands makes a perfect weekend trip. If you have more time, combine the itineraries below for a full 10-day getaway. Leave your vehicle in Anacortes to avoid the lengthy ferry lines. Both Orcas and San Juan Islands have taxis and car rentals, and an excellent shuttle service is available on San Juan Island. Some lodgings also provide limited transportation. It’s easy to get from one island to the next via the ferry system.
San Juan Island Getaway
Always a favorite of visitors, San Juan Island is great for an extra-long weekend escape, with plenty to do and a range of lodging and food choices. The ferry docks right at Friday Harbor, making this the perfect base for your trip.
Day 1
Drive to Anacortes, stopping for a short tour through Washington Park before boarding the Washington State Ferries for the town of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The ferry ride is always entertaining, providing the perfect way to reset your brain to island time. There are many lodging choices in Friday Harbor, including well-maintained rooms at the family- friendly Discovery Inn, swanky suites at Island Inn at 123 West, and a unique lakeside setting at Lakedale Resort. The last of these also has lakeside campsites, cabins, and glamping yurts.
Day 2
In Friday Harbor, visit The Whale Museum and then spend the day exploring the north end of San Juan Island. Drive to beautiful Roche Harbor for lunch on the patio at Madrona Bar & Grill, stopping to sample wines at San Juan Vineyard along the way. The outsized art of San Juan Islands Sculpture Park is just up the hill. From Roche Harbor, take a short detour to Westcott Bay Shellfish Co. to sample fresh oysters on the shore, or go to Westcott Bay Cider for hard ciders and brandy.
Drive south on West Valley Road to English Camp, part of San Juan Island National Historical Park. You’ll find prim-and-proper English gardens and a parade ground, plus an enjoyable hike up Mount Young that provides panoramic vistas. A short drive takes you to the cuddly alpacas of The Farm at Krystal Acres before returning to Friday Harbor for dinner at Downriggers.
Day 3
This is another full day, so get an early start or focus on one or two sights instead of trying to see them all. Get best-in-town espresso at Crows Nest Coffee Shoppe and drive south to American Camp for a hike through the flower-filled meadows (look for red foxes) and a stroll along sandy South Beach—the finest beach in the islands.
Turn west now to soak up fragrant Pelindaba Lavender Farm, where a shop sells lavender-infused products of all kinds, before continuing to tiny Westside Scenic Preserve and Lime Kiln Point State Park with its picture-perfect lighthouse. The lighthouse provides a splendid vantage to look for killer whales in Haro Strait, as well as a romantic sunset destination. End the day with a memorable farm-to-table dinner in downtown Friday Harbor (reservations advised) at Coho Restaurant.
Day 4
Max out your time in Friday Harbor before ferrying back to Anacortes. Do a little browsing at Griffin Bay Bookstore, buy an ice cream cone from Friday Harbor Ice Cream Co. or a slice of pizza from Bakery San Juan, browse the art galleries, or rent a bike and pedal the loop road around Pear Point, stopping for a picnic lunch at Jackson Beach. If you have an hour to kill while parked in line for the ferry, walk up to San Juan Brewery for a beer and burger on the patio.
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Orcas Island Getaway
Orcas Island is too big to really take in over a long weekend, but this short trip provides a sampler that will make you wish for more time there.
Day 1
Catch an early ferry for a timely start on this diverse island. With a central base in the Eastsound area, you can easily get to most of the sights on the island. Outlook Inn features a great in-town setting and a variety of room choices, including sparkling waterside units. Couples will enjoy earthy Doe Bay Resort & Retreat; where else can you stay in an honest-to-goodness tree house?
You may want to spend time exploring the sights around Eastsound, such as the Orcas Island Historical Museum, or rent a sit-on-top kayak from Crescent Beach Kayaks to paddle this protected bay. Matia Kitchen is an excellent dining choice.
Day 2
Start the day with a pecan sticky bun and mocha from Brown Bear Baking. Explore Moran State Park, including the paved road to the stone tower atop Mount Constitution. Hike the trails, try some mountain biking or horseback riding, or let your kids play in the waters of Cascade Lake. Be sure to take the detour to Rosario Resort for a visit to this historical getaway. Orcas Island Artworks is nearby, with works by 40 or so local artists and Lascaux Café, a fine lunch spot. Dinner can be a tasty pizza at Island Pie or a memorable seven-course dinner at Inn at Ship Bay (reservations required).
Day 3
Take it easy on your last day on Orcas Island. Grab brunch at Olga Rising and tour local galleries and gift shops in Eastsound before heading back to the ferry terminal at Orcas Village.
Lopez Island Getaway
Lopez is all about relaxing, so this weekend adventure is short on activities and long on letting go.
Day 1
Arrive at the Anacortes ferry terminal and get on board for a truly relaxing weekend. In Lopez Village you can wander through the handful of shops and restaurants and the town’s museum, and then stroll over to Weeks Wetland Preserve to watch migrating birds.
Once you’ve settled into your lodging place (The Edenwild Boutique Hotel and Lopez Farm Cottages are especially nice), enjoy a waterside dinner at Blue Heron Bistro and then take a sunset walk along the beach at Otis Perkins County Park.
Day 2
Get a gourmet picnic lunch from Vita’s Wildly Delicious, and if you’re in town on a summer Saturday, walk across the road to check out the Lopez Island Farmers Market. Rent a bike from Village Cycles to see the island at an appropriately slow pace, stopping for a leisurely break at one of the beaches; Watmough Bay and Agate Beach are great choices. It’s an easy 0.5-mile hike from Agate Beach to Iceberg Point, a rocky point with views east to Mount Baker and west to the Olympic Mountains.
If you’d rather explore Lopez from “see” level, rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from Outdoor Adventure Center in Spencer Spit State Park for a paddle to nearby James Island.
Day 3
Drop by Isabel’s Espresso in Lopez Village for a cappuccino and then walk up to Setsunai Noodle Bar for a tasty bowl of udon before catching the ferry back to Anacortes. If you have time, drive the scenic route south to Seattle via Deception Pass State Park and Whidbey Island.
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