San Juan Island Links and Resources

About San Juan Island

The San Juan Islands is one of the most scenic areas in the entire country. Sometimes referred to as “the jewels” of Puget Sound, they are the most breathtaking of the region’s many islands.

There are four main islands that are serviced by the Washington State Ferries and over 150 "outer islands". Many of these outer islands are inhabited while dozens of others are not, except for eagles, deer, fox, and other wildlife. The surrounding waters are home to three separate pods of Orcas as well as seals, sea lions, otters and a wide variety of seabirds and fish.

The historic seaside town of Friday Harbor is located on San Juan Island. It is the only incorporated town in San Juan County and serves as the primary business and shopping district as well as the county seat.

Roche Harbor Village is located on the northwest end of San Juan Island. This charming boating and resort community is centered around the historic Hotel De Haro which overlooks lovely gardens and the Roche Harbor Marina. Originally built in 1886, Roche Harbor was once the largest lime quarry on the west coast.

San Juan Island is approximately 15 miles long and 8 miles wide, encompassing 55.4 square miles including 70 miles of waterfront, and is usually considered the second largest island after Orcas Island. There are those who say it would be the largest island if they were measured at low tide, because San Juan Island has much more beach. San Juan Island is the most populated island, with about 6,800 year 'round residents.

The topography of San Juan Island ranges from mountainous on the north and west sides to farmland in the central valleys and rolling hills to the south. There are magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains, Vancouver Island and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the west and south. To the east there are views of Lopez Island and Mount Baker and to the north lie neighboring Shaw and Orcas Islands with Canada in the distance.

San Juan Island Activities:

There are numerous outdoor activities available on San Juan Island including hiking, biking, boating, whale watching, kayaking or just sightseeing by car.

Friday Harbor is an ideal town to explore on foot. Spring Street is the main street in town and is lined with shops, restaurants, hotels and the Palace Theatre. Adjacent streets feature additional boutiques, cafes, galleries and museums. During the summer fresh seafood is available in the Friday Harbor Marina and on Saturdays there is an outdoor farmers’ market featuring organic produce from throughout the islands.

From Friday Harbor it's a short drive to Roche Harbor Village and its marina. Enjoy lunch on the deck at the Madrona Grill or make dinner reservations at McMillans Dining Room. Both restuarants are at the water's edge in the former residence of Roche Harbor's original founder John McMillan.

Visit American Camp and English Camp which together comprise the San Juan Island National Historic Park. In the mid-nineteenth century each camp housed the garrison for its respective country's troops during “the Pig War”, America’s least known conflict with England (whose only casuality was a pig).

Take a drive down West Side Rd and stop off at Lime Kiln State Park where a seaside trail offers breathtaking views of Haro Strait and Vancouver Island. If your timing is right you might see a pod of Orcas swimming by.

Other San Juan Island attractions to see include Westcott Bay Sea Farms, where you can buy their world famous oysters, mussels and clams fresh out of salt water basins. Visit the beautiful Pelindaba Lavendar Farm or stop off at San Juan Vineyards which is open daily for wine tastings.

Boating, Tours, Whale Watching & General Interest

General Interest

Friday Harbor Visitor's Center
125 Spring Street,
Friday Harbor, WA

(360) 378-2240

San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau-Guide to the San Juans

1 N Front St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-3277

Westcott Bay Sea Farms

904 Westcott Dr

(360)378-2489

San Juan Vineyards

3136 Roche Harbor Rd

(360)378-WINE (9463)

Pelindaba Lavender Farm
P.O. Box 2389
33 Hawthorne Lane
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360) 378-5789

Roche Harbor Village

Follow Roche Harbor Rd to its end.

(360)378-2155

San Juan Island Library

1010 Guard St

(360)378-2798

San Juan Preservation Trust

650 Mullis Rd, #204

(360)378-2461

Whale Watching & Tours

Maya Whale Watching

Snug Harbor Marina
1997 Mitchell Bay Road

(360)378-7996

Salish Sea Charters
PO Box 4446
Roche Harbor, WA 98250

(360) 378-8555

(877) 560-5711

San Juan Boat Tours
2-B Spring St Landing
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

San Juan Excursions

#2 Spring St. Landing
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360)378-6636

San Juan Safaris

50 2nd St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-1323

Western Prince Whale Watch Tours

1 Spring St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Orcas Island Eclipse Charters & Whale Watch Tours

PO Box 353

Orcas, WA 98280

(360)376-6566

(800)376-6566

Friday Harbor Helicopters

P.O. Box 2233
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-6109

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Shops, Galleries, Museums, Parks & More

Dan Levin Originals

50 1st St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-2051

Dominique's

285 Spring St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-6454

Dominique's House

125 Spring St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-0877

Funk & Junk

85 Nichols St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-2638

Garuda and I

60 1st St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-3733

Griffin Bay Bookstore

155 Spring St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-5511

Robins Nest

270 Spring St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-6562

Galleries

The Arctic Raven

One Front St
Friday Harbor WA 98250
(360)378-3433

www.arcticravengallery.com

Bison Gallery

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)370-5699

Dolphin Arts
161 First St.
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-2983

Firearts Studio
2217 Wold Rd.
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360) 378-5929

Island Studios, Inc.
270 Spring St
Friday Harbor WA 98250

(360) 378-5788

Napier Sculpture Gallery
232 "A" Street
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360) 378-2221

Rainshadow Arts Gallery
144 Panorama Pl
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360) 378-1371

www.rainshadowphotographics.com

Waterworks Gallery

315 Spring St,
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-3060

www.waterworksgallery.com

Museums

Friday Harbor Whale Museum

62 1st St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-4710

www.whalemuseum.org

Island Museum of Art

314 Spring St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)370-5050

San Juan Historical Museum

405 Price St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-3949

www.sjmuseum.org

Westcott Bay Institute and Sculpture Park

Roche Harbor Village

(360)370-5050

Theatre

San Juan Community Theatre

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-3210

Palace Theatre

209 Spring St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)370-5666

Island Stage Left

Roche Harbor Amphitheatre

Parks

San Juan Island National Historic Park

American Camp

Located near the south end off Cattle Point Rd

San Juan Island National Historic Park

English Camp

On West Valley Rd just south of Roche Harbor Rd

Lime Kiln State Park

On West Side Road.

San Juan County Park

On West Side Road, north of Lime Kiln.

Rueben Tarte County Park

On San Juan Dr.

Websites

San Juan Islander

(360)378-3748

www.sanjuanislander.com

Ferry Cam
www.ferrycam.net

San Juan Directory

www.sanjuandirectory.com

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Government

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Business

San Juan Islaned Chamber of Commerce

535 Market St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)370-5641

Windermere San Juan Island

PO Box 488

100 First St

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360)378-3600

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Schools

95 Grover St.
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360)378-5209

Friday Harbor Middle School
45 Blair Street
Friday Harbor, WA. 98250
(360)378-5214

Friday Harbor High School
PO Box 458
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360)378-5215

Spring Street International School

505 Spring Street
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360)378-6393

Skagit Valley College

Friday Harbor, WA

(360)378-3220