2024 Guide: Things to do on San Juan Island Now
Do you appreciate the journey as well as the destination? If so, you may love exploring Washington State’s largest group of islands: The San Juan Islands. To help plan your visit, here’s my guide on the best things to do on San Juan Island (the archipelago’s namesake).
Let’s Explore: Things to do on San Juan Island
Did you know you can get on island time in the Pacific Northwest? It’s no secret that Washington State has it all – snowy mountains, old growth forest, and even deserts.
But for me, it’s the saltwater inlet of the Pacific Ocean known as the Salish Sea that steals my heart.
Accessible by boat or plane, the 170 islands and rocks that form the San Juan Islands are wild.
In this area, wildlife like orca whales, red foxes, and barred owls can be found.
Besides wildlife, you’ll encounter scenic views, charming small towns, and nature on a trip to the San Juan Islands.
Generally, the most-visited islands are Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez. Washington State Ferries make stops at all of these.
Fun Fact: Our ferry system is the largest in the entire US!!
Since this guide focuses on San Juan Island, you can see my recommendations for Orcas Island here. Discover how to chase waterfalls, relax lakeside, and enjoy breathtaking views at the highest point in all islands.
How to Get to San Juan Island
Hands down, the most common way to get to San Juan Island is by ferry.
All ferries heading to the islands depart from Anacortes, Washington. Thankfully, multiple ferries run this route daily. So, you have options.
Typically, you can expect the drive time to be:
- ~1.5 hours from Seattle
- ~2.5 hours from Tacoma.
Don’t underestimate the importance of preparation.
According to Washington State Ferries, plan to arrive no later than 45-60 minutes before your departure.
Additionally, it is wise to book a ferry reservation in advance . The sooner, the better.
A reservation is a way to save a spot for your vehicle on the ferry, since ~10% of the space is allotted for stand-by vehicles.
Fortunately, it doesn’t cost anything to get a reservation – unless you do not show up or properly cancel it.
And, you’ll want to have a printed or mobile confirmation of your ferry reservation ready to be scanned for check-in.
To see how much the ferry ride would cost, use this calculator.
When visiting the San Juan Island, you will depart the boat at Friday Harbor.
For San Juan sailings, fares are paid only as you head out to the islands. So, there will be no additional charge when returning back to Anacortes.
What to Pack
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing on the ferry ride and the island
- Discover Pass for Lime Kiln State Park – Or, you can pay a $10 day use fee
- Driving Maps: Printed or downloaded onto your phone (expect spotty phone service)
- Windbreaker or Rain Jacket, especially if going on a whale watching boat tour
- Sun Gear: Sunglasses, hats, & sunscreen (if visiting in the summer)
- Walking or hiking shoes
- A full tank of gas – Note that although the island isn’t that large to drive around, gas tends to be more costly than in Anacortes. So, you may want to fill up at the Safeway fuel station before heading to the ferry terminal.
- Snacks and drinks for when you’re not in Friday Harbor, the dining hub of the island
Flying into Seattle? See my guide on what to wear in Seattle.
15 Best Things to do on San Juan Island
1. Become a Whale Expert at The Whale Museum
Let’s begin at Friday Harbor. For many visitors, whale watching is the main reason behind their visit.
Whether you plan on looking for whales by land or sea, a good starting point to learn about these amazing animals is at The Whale Museum.
Stand beside whale skeletons, listen to whale sounds, and learn the genealogy of the Southern Resident pods.
Since the natural history museum is a nonprofit, you’ll help support research and conservation efforts by visiting.
Admission is $10 per person. Or if you simply want to swing by the gift shop, there is no charge.
Usually, museum hours are 10am to 4pm. Check here for the latest.
2. Dine With a View at Downriggers
If you, like me, are ready for a great meal after arriving in Friday Harbor, then try Downriggers.
With a menu centered around Northwest cuisine, this family-owned restaurant provides an elevated dining experience in a welcoming atmosphere.
Each day, expect a few rotating specials – like the salmon burger below!
If you’re visiting during summer, especially on the weekends, it’s smart to make a reservation online.
Don’t forget to save room for dessert. We came back to enjoy their peanut butter cookie skillet a second time!
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3. Dive Into Local History at Griffin Bay Bookstore
Besides parks and coffee shops, bookstores are the places I frequent while traveling.
Why? Because they give us an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the places we visit. Pick up books about local history and/or by local authors. It’s a win-win for us and the community.
Friday Harbor’s Griffin Bay Bookstore is the best spot to find books on San Juan Island.
Personally, I always reach for the Images of America series. I’m a big fan of how visual they are – consisting of mainly black and white photos alongside with detailed captions.
For a fun activity, you can carry around the book as you tour the island. Then, flip to old photos that match the present-day scene before you.
In case you need a pick-me-up, there’s coffee served in the back!
To get a head start on reading before your visit, browse these titles.
As of Spring 2023, the bookstore is open Tuesday-Sunday.
4. Treat Yourself to a Smoothie at Riptide Cafe
Known as the only waterfront cafe in Friday Harbor, Riptide Cafe is a hidden gem because of its location. (Find it just below Downrigger)
Although you can get coffee here, the smoothies are the star of the show.
Crafted with organic fruit and local ingredients, take your pick of from island-inspired smoothies like Ferry Fresh, Archipelagogo, or Lime Kiln.
If you’re a fellow chocolate lover, I recommend the Chunky Monkey – made with peanut butter, banana, and cacao.
Riptide Cafe shares a building with San Juan Safaris, a whale watching tour company. Because of this, you can browse a neat gift shop while you wait for your order.
To my surprise, they have a excellent selection of books for nature lovers (kids and adults alike).
Afterwards, stroll down to the small beach a few steps away.
Between February 14 and November 17, the cafe is open from 7am to 2pm.
5. Grab a Latte at Salty Fox Coffee
If you’re looking for a place with ample indoor and outdoor seating to read, work, or chat then Salty Fox Coffee is a great option.
Also, they have a few all-day breakfast menu options.
Those who collect stickers (perhaps for a water bottle), may enjoy the beautiful selection of watercolor stickers!
Given its location next to the ferry loading area, this is the perfect place to wait for your ferry’s arrival.
Salty Fox Coffee is open from 7am to 2pm.
6. Commemorate Your Trip with a Souvenir Tee
Winding down our list of Friday Harbor activities is Joe Friday’s Shirt Co. It offers a wide selection of Friday Habor and San Juan Island-themed shirts, sweatshirts, and hats.
Although I wasn’t planning on getting a souvenir shirt, Kyle and I both found ones we loved here!
See here for current hours.
7. Explore English Camp
Moving beyond Friday Harbor, English Camp must be on your list of things to do on San Juan Island.
One of the most fascinating parts of the island’s history is The Pig War.
An 1859 incident involving a British pig on “American” soil set in motion the establishment of English Camp on the Northwestern part of the island and American Camp on the Southernmost point.
Today, English Camp’s parade grounds is a picturesque park.
Here, you can see a labyrinth garden, giant maple trees, and even a few original buildings.
Although managed by the National Park Service, no passes are required here. Leashed dogs are welcomed.
For a map of the trails, see San Juan Island Trails.
8. Hike Young Hill for Panoramic Views
Of all the things to do on San Juan Island, hiking Young Hill was the most memorable.
In the afternoon, we experienced a brightly-lit forest on a wide trail with a manageable incline.
Besides the breathtaking birds-eye-views of Garrison Bay and Vancouver Island, it’s worth making a short detour to English Camp Cemetery.
Five Royal Marines and one civilian are laid to rest here. There is an interpretive sign sharing a little about each person’s story.
Also, you’ll see rare Garry Oak Trees (the only native oak trees in the state),
Note that there is no signage when the trail splits, but the cemetery is accessible 0.4 miles in by staying to the right.
To begin hiking, one option is to start from the English Camp parking lot.
Or, you can park on San Juan Valley road and shave about 0.6 miles off.
In total, the hike is about 2 miles with 600’ elevation gain from the established parking lot.
Please practice the Leave No Trace Principles while hiking, and be cautious of ticks in areas with tall grass.
9. Visit the Iconic Lime Kiln State Park
According to The Whale Museum, Lime Kiln State Park offers the best on-shore whale watching on the planet!
After displaying either a Discover Pass ($30 annually for entrance to all Washington State Parks) or a $10 day-use pass in your vehicle, take your pick between 2 paths: one to the lighthouse or one to the whale watching area.
To the lighthouse, it’s a short walk descending to the 1919 lighthouse. Expect large rocks surrounding it and crashing waves below.
From either the lighthouse or West Side road, you can hike to the old lime kilns for which the park is named.
Heading towards the whale watching area, you’ll meander through a forest which boasts a few old growth trees. While this is a slightly longer walk, it leads to a great spot for picnicking.
For the best odds of seeing whales, time your visit between May and September. That being said, it’s worth considering that these are also the busiest times on the island.
There is no beach access at this park.
10. Go Whale Watching from the Shore
While you can go on a whale watching tour by boat, it’s not something I can personally speak to as I haven’t done it on the San Juan Island yet.
However, whale watching from the shore is generally underrated!
Besides the cost to park at Lime Klin State Park, it’s free.
The best resource you’ll want to keep an eye on is Orca Network. This is a Facebook page ran by a nonprofit whose mission is to connect whales and people.
On it, you’ll find posts with recent whale sightings.
Be sure to check out the comments of posts to see updates.
And, this map shows all of the spots to whale watch from the shore in Washington.
If you decide to search for whales, I recommend bringing binoculars because they could appear at any distance.
Of course, if you have telephoto lenses pack those as well.
11. Catch sunset at San Juan County Park
With a large grassy meadow overlooking the Salish Sea, San Juan County Park is a prime sunset watching spot.
For those looking to camp, there’s also a few sites with great views. During the summer months, reservations are recommended. View reservable campsites on the San Juan Island here.
There are no fees to enjoy this park during the daytime.
Alternatively, Lime Kiln State Park or South Beach are beautiful places to see the sunset on San Juan Island.
12. Explore American Camp
Part of San Juan Island Historical Park, American Camp is a large natural area that connects to Cattle Point Conservation Area (state managed).
Between lagoons, a notably sizable beach, and wildlife viewing opportunities, there’s lots of San Juan Island activities here.
Perhaps the unofficial mascot of the park, red foxes are commonly sighted. For the safety of foxes and deer, please drive with caution and adhere to speed limits.
Due to the large size of the area and ample hiking trails, I recommend spending at least half a day here.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much daylight left when we arrived and we were not expecting the park to be as big as it is.
However, in the time we did spend here we saw deer, foxes, bunnies (like TONS), and even a barred owl!
Plus, we enjoyed the awesome views of the Olympic Mountains.
13. Take a Stroll Through Roche Harbor
Besides Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor is the other hub for dining, shopping, and stays.
During the drive in, we were impressed by the uniqueness of Sculpture Park as well as the architecture.
We parked along Reuben Memorial Road, in the parking lot across from the water.
Interestingly, you can see old lime kilns right from the parking lot!
From here, we ate lunch at the Lime Kiln Cafe.
We enjoyed the casual atmosphere and marina views. You can’t go wrong with a classic fish and chips. Or if you swing by earlier, the breakfast menu sounds lovely!
14. Relax at Reuben Tarte County Park
Located on the Northern side of the island, Reuben Tarte County Park receives far less visitors than the other parks mentioned in this guide.
As such, it’s a little more off-the-beaten path. But, it’s just as stunning!
From its two pebbly beaches, you’ll look out at both US and Canadian Islands.
During our visit, we heard sea lions barking. So, we looked through our binoculars and counted 60 sea lions resting on the shores of Spieden island. What a surprise!
Note that there is not much space for parking down below, so summer visitors may need to park at the top of the road and walk down – it is a decently steep grade.
No fees required.
We saw the black tail deer show above on our drive there.
15. Pelindaba Lavender Farm
For summer visitors, strolling the fields of Pelindaba Lavender Farm is a romantic experience.
And, it’s free!
Besides enjoying the sights and smells of organic lavender, you can shop lavender goods in the Gatehouse Farm Store.
Or, harvest a bouquet to brighten up your home.
Typically, peak bloom happens through July and August.
Where to Stay
Lakedale Resort
During our visit, we were fortunate to be hosted by Lakedale Resort. That being said, we loved our experience so much that I had to include them. (They are not sponsoring this post).
With 3 lakes on 82 acres, Lakedale offers an oasis-like feel.
In fact, it’s actually an island ON an island! (The road you enter the property on goes over 2 lakes).
Between the lodge, log cabins, luxury yurts, and camping sites, there is something for everyone.
Looking for a unique experience? Try glamping!
Opt for the luxury yurts with full amenities including hot tubs. Or, stay in canvas tents furnished with the comfort of full-size furniture.
For us, a lodge room was the perfect home base for all the things to do on San Juan Island!
Camping
For those seeking a budget-friendly option, you can’t beat camping.
Here’s a list of campgrounds on San Juan Island:
- San Juan Island County Park (mentioned above)
- Lakedale Resort
- San Juan County Fairgrounds
- Free Horse Farm
Of these, my top picks would be Lakedale Resort and San Juan Island County Park! Both are beautiful.
Stay in the Heart of San Juan Island at Friday Harbor
If you’d like to stay in a walkable area with plenty of dining and shopping opportunities, then Friday Harbor is your best bet.
With stunning views of the water (and ferries), the Friday Harbor House is a popular option.
Alternatively, there are a number of condos and houses available to rent on Airbnb.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you spend a day on San Juan Island?
Get an early start, drive your car onto the ferry, and then take a whirlwind scenic driving tour around the island! Or, you can walk/bike onto the ferry and spend the day exploring the shops and restaurants in Friday Harbor. Whenever possible, I recommend spending at least 2 nights so that you can enjoy island time (and leave breathing room for ferry delays).
How many days do you need in San Juan Islands?
You can either island hop between San Juan Island, Orcas, and Lopez Island, spending a total of 6-7 nights. Or, my preferred way is to make dedicated trips to each island and aim for 2-3 nights on each.
For San Juan Island, plan for 2-4 nights.
See my Orcas Island guide here.
How long does it take to drive around San Juan Island?
With dramatic bluffs and serene forest views, driving around the island is a MUST! Of course, you do not need to do it all in one go. But if you do, expect the drive around the perimeter of the island to log about 32 miles. Without making stops, the drive is just under an hour. So depending on how many stops you make, the drive could take anywhere from a couple of hours to half a day.
How easy is it to get around San Juan Island without a car?
Unless you’re a serious cycler, I would not recommend visiting San Juan Island without a car. Although Friday Harbor (where you’ll deboard the ferry) is walkable, the entire island is 55 square miles. To access all of the parks like Lime Kiln or San Juan National Historical Park, a vehicle is extremely useful.
If you’d like to use public transportation, check out the San Juan Transit bus schedule.
Or, the Friday Harbor Jolly Trolley makes stops at most major tourist attractions.
What is the best time of the year to go to the San Juan Islands?
As a local, taking an island getaway is great all year long! However, if you’re searching for whales then May through September is your best bet. Outside of this window is the slower season, which means local businesses may have reduced hours or may be closed.
How long is the San Juan ferry ride?
Heading to Friday Harbor, the ferry ride is approximately an hour long. During this time, you can exit your car and sit in one of the indoor seating areas. If you don’t mind a little wind, it’s worth stepping out onto the outdoor areas for a quick photo.
Things to do on San Juan Island Summary:
- Learn All Things Whales at The Whale Museum
- Dine With a View at Downriggers
- Dive Into Local History at Griffin Bay Bookstore
- Treat Yourself to a Smoothie at Riptide Cafe
- Grab a Latte at Salty Fox Coffee
- Commemorate Your Trip with a Souvenir Tee from Joe Friday’s Shirt Co
- Explore English Camp’s Parade Grounds
- Hike Young Hill for Panoramic Views
- Visit the Iconic Lime Kiln State Park
- Go Whale Watching from the Shore
- Catch sunset at San Juan County Park
- Explore American Camp
- Take a Stroll Through Roche Harbor
- Relax at Reuben Tarte County Park
- Pelindaba Lavender Farm
This post was all about the best things to do on San Juan Island.
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