Today marked the day we were arriving at our northern most stop along our Pacific Northwest Roadtrip. I have wanted to visit the San Juan Islands for as long as I can remember. Ferry life was suiting us well as we left Whidbey Island and made our way across Fidalgo Island to the gateway of the San Juan Islands, Anacortes. I felt like a child, having finally reached Disneyland after dreaming about it my whole life.
But man, was it windy! We had several failed attempts at a family photo marking mom’s happy moment with hair in our faces and wind offering goosebumps down our bodies, it was forced family fun! The ride from Anacortes is about 45 minutes. After lots of pics for mom, we settled into our groove of ferry life with a game of UNO and a bag of M&M’s. Good clean family fun and what has become one of our fondest memories of our trip.
We spent our days on San Juan Island in awe of the beauty that surrounded us. You can easily drive the island to see each of it’s parks, hills, vistas, trails, farms, and little towns. Friday Harbor, where the ferry terminal is located, was a busy little town with cafes and restaurants, cute shops to browse and information on any excursion your heart desires from biking to whale watching, there is something for every type outdoor activity imagined.
We had dinner one night in Roche Harbor which is a small town on the northern tip of the island, not far from the Canadian border. It has a gorgeous marina with all sorts of water crafts from small sailboats to large yachts. I loved the quaint streets and cottages dotting this tiny town. It seemed a popular spot to get married at and you can see why – picturesque in every way. At sunset, music is played on the dock during the colors ceremony. It was truly an experience to see and hear. Five flags are retired at the end of each day including the flag of Washington State, Canada and the United States. Just before the American flag is lowered, canons let off shots that you can hear across the harbor! It is a special tradition I am so glad we were able to witness.
One evening we set out to see if we could spot any whales or porpoises from the shore. We had heard that Lime Kiln Point State Park was the place to go for whale watching. It has been said to be the best land based location in the world to view Orcas in the wild. Just a short walk out to the lookout point, it was a spectacular view of the sea while the sun was beginning to set for the day even if we did not see a single whale.
We can’t wait to return again to explore more of the San Juan Islands. Tomorrow, I’ll share a photo post of our Whale Watching trip and day on the water exploring the outer islands and into Canada. It is some kind of spectacular to be sure up there. I loved being surrounded by water. We will definitely be back. Here are a few tips to help with planning your trip to San Juan Island. You can also read more about our Pacific Northwest roadtrip if you’d like.
Where to Stay
Lakedale Resort (casual lodge, canvas tents or camping)
Roche Harbor Resort (options include historic cottage to waterfront condos)
Where to Eat
Duck Soup Inn (rustic-chic, locally-sourced seasonal cuisine)
McMillins Dining Room (million-dollar view, traditional menu)
Blue Water Bar + Grill (casual dining, yummy fish and chips)
What to Do
Lime Kiln Point State Park
Rent Kayaks
Whale Watching Tour
Roche Harbor Colors Ceremony
