San Juan Guide

Most of San Juan Islands first timers go through the same problem when thinking what to do during their stay in the area of San Juan Islands. San Juan County and its bay area offer a gigantic variety of activities to have the best time ever, with extraordinary options for all kind of visitors. The entire area can be described as a vast natural park with spectacular landscapes where one can find everything. The towns and villages in the islands have been considered the best places to visit for a number of tourist publications and, the best place to live for important real state agencies as well.

From mountain climbing, hiking, whale watching, camping out, rafting, swimming, scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, yachting, trekking, kayaking, fishing, wildlife and marine watching, biking or horse riding, to shopping in the most exquisite boutiques, wine tasting in gorgeous vineyards, collecting art from the many galleries and museums of the islands, fine dining or enjoying local gastronomy at beautiful restaurants by the sea while watching the sunset or, even historical representations in the different cultural sites; and all that surrounded by spectacular landscapes filled with fresh air like mountains, forests, natural trails, coves, beaches, inlets, islets and all kind of elements that create this paradise.

Outdoors: this is one of the most popular options to enjoy the beauty of San Juan Islands in the number of parks, beaches, hills or campgrounds that have conceived this paradise. Getting to know the wildlife and marine fauna and flora of the islands and enjoying activities outdoors are easy tasks in any of the hundreds of natural sites and other alternatives like Afterglow Mausoleum, American Camp, Argyle Lagoon, Barracks to Boats Trail, Bell Point Trail, Briggs Lake Trail, British Camp, Cady Mt. Preserve, Cattle Point Interpretive Area, Cattle Point Lighthouse, Deadman Bay, Deadman Bay Trail, Eagle Cove Park, Egg Lake, Fairweather Park, False Bay, Fish Creek, Forest Glen Loop Trail, Fourth of July Beach, Fraser Homestead Trail, Griffin Bay Marine State Park, Highlands Lake Loop Trail, Historic Quarry and Kiln Trail, Jackson's Beach, King Sisters Trail, Lime Kiln Point State Park, Limekiln Point Preserve Trails, Mitchell Hill, Mount Finlayson, Mount Young, Point Caution Biological Preserve, Posey Island State Park, Reuben Tarte County Park, Roche Harbor Airport Trail, Roche Harbor Lime Kilns, Roche Harbor Quarry Trails, Roche Harbor Wetlands Loop Trail, San Juan Golf Club, San Juan Island National Historic Park, Smallpox Bay, South Beach, Sunken Park, Third Lagoon Preserve, Turn Island State Park, Turn Point Park, Upland Trail, West Side Scenic Preserve, Westcott Bay Sculpture Park, Wetlands Loop Trail or White Point Loop.

Museums and other attractions: while staying in the islands, museums are highly recommended to get to understand the unique culture of the San Juan Islands. The different sites in the islands will bring the visitors closer to the national history and the islanders culture withthe Museums and Historical Societies in San Juan Island, Lopez Island and Orcas Island or the San Juan Aviation Museum; the native flora and faunaas well as the marine wildlife is brought by The Whale Museum or the UW Oceanic Laboratories, also offering several activities related to the islands sea life. Art collectors can enjoy the exquisite international and local artin the San Juan Islands Museum of Art or in any of the distinguished art galleries and arts&crafts local flea markets of the islands.

Restaurants: the islands have a great variety of establishments where visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee by fireplace in a lovely Café while viewing beautiful sunsets or sunrises or a drink in one of the many pubs and breweries by the harbors like Front Street Ale House and San Juan Brewing Company, Herb's Tavern, Lime Kiln Café or The Sweet Retreat and Espresso. Dining out is not a problem at all in the islands because the best fine cuisine, fusion cuisine and local gastronomy can be found easily in the numerous fine restaurants, grills, sports bars, steakhouses or seafood houses like Back Door Kitchen and Catering, Bella Luna, Blue Water Bar & Grill, Madrona Grill, McMillin’s Dining Room, Mi Casita, The Bluff Restaurant, The Doctor's Office, The Hungry Clam, The Place or Cask & Schooner.