AndiSan Juan has a little bit of something for everyone: Gorgeous scenery, whale watching, bald eagles, history, a laid back atmosphere, great food and not one traffic light on the whole island! Most people will want to stay in San Juan for their whole vacation. Unfortunately, that was not an option for us and maybe not for you either. Here’s how to get the most out of a one-day visit to this incredible island, San Juan.
Getting There:
Half the fun is getting there! You need to take a ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. When taking a car make sure to make a reservation, they will fill up in the summer. We met friends there, so we were able to park in Anacortes and just hop on the ferry without a reservation. The trip takes close to an hour.
* The ferry ride can be cold, so dress accordingly.
There’re also a couple options if you are coming straight from Seattle. A chartered ferry and a seaplane. Both are great options that will offer amazing views.
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor is a charming walkable historic seaport. There are restaurants, gift shops, Bed & Breakfasts, a cinema and grocery stores in this area. This is the area the ferry will dock.
The Whale Museum is located here at 62 First Street. This is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about whales, especially the whales in the that area. They’ve researched every Orca Pod that lives in the area. There’s a board detailing each whale’s family tree and they’ve named them all! It’s amazing how they can tell the difference between the whales. There’s also a huge whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. Kids will love this place. If you are a Free Willy fan, they have some props from the movie displayed there. I would allow one hour check everything out.
Driving Tour of San Juan
Continuing counter clockwise on the island, I’ve listed the stops in order.
San Juan Vineyards- picturesque area and they offer complimentary wine tastings. We did not stop here, so I’m not sure how much time to allocate. Located at 3136 Roche Harbor Rd
The Sculpture Park- eclectic sculptures created by local artists on 19 acres. Located at 9083 Roche Harbor Road. I would allow anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour to enjoy.
Roche Harbor
Roche Harbor is a resort and marina on the other side of the island. We ate at the resort and the food was fantastic!! Perfect setting, sitting outside watching the seaplanes come in and boats go out. We walked around for a bit to check out the gift shops and marina. If time permits, take a whale watching kayak tour. I’ve heard amazing things and I can’t wait to come back and do this myself!
English Camp is a National Historic Park. There was a dispute in the 1800’s over this island between Great Britain and the United States. Known as the “Pig War” crisis, it was settled peacefully. This is the English camp and the other side of the island has the American Camp. Beautiful area to explore. Kids will love earning the Junior Ranger badge. Hiking trails and historic buildings.
Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm- You must stop and see these irresistibly cute animals! They have self-guided tours and a gift shop filled with the softest clothing you’ll ever find. I wish I would have taken my own advice! We passed this planning to come back after lunch and it just never happened. Next time! Located at 3501 West Valley Rd.
Whale Watching Park
Lime Kiln Park- Stunning scenery with a craggy coastline and lighthouse, can it get better than this? Why yes it can! This is the best place in the world to see whales from land! If you’re lucky you can find Orcas frolicking in the ocean along with Minke whales and seals. Bald eagles are spotted here as well. Luck was not on our side today, apparently an orca pod had taken off a couple days before we arrived. It was still a great place to stretch your legs and take amazing photos. There is an exhibit in the lighthouse and a bathroom is nearby. This would be a great place for a picnic lunch. Best chance to see whales are from late May-September.
Lavender Farm
Pelindaba Lavender Farm- a 25-acre land of lavender fields! Being my first lavender farm to visit, I fell in love. The aroma in the air just draws you in! The gift shop has all kinds of lavender products you can purchase. Just in case, you forget something there is a second gift shop location in Friday Harbor. Lavender fields are in bloom July – September. Allow 15-30 minutes to enjoy.
American Camp- National Historic Park, historic buildings, prairies, beaches, and a visitor center.
South Beach has gorgeous views, beaches full of driftwood and grasslands. Instead of sandcastles, build a fort out of driftwood! Enjoy a driftwood campfire on the beach while you are at it!
We were looking for foxes in the distance and one little guy snuck up on us right by the car!
You will end up back in Friday Harbor. We finished off the day by strolling through town and grabbing a bite to eat at Haley’s Sports Bar. Word of warning, this town shuts down early! Every store we were interested in was closed already and it wasn’t even 7:00 yet!
Summary
With a little bit of planning, it’s possible to see most of this beautiful island in a day. San Juan is a gorgeous place you don’t want to miss!
If you have more time, I would add in a whale watch tour, sea kayaking and maybe even visiting another island nearby. San Juan has many activities to choose from to keep you busy.
