Just 90 miles north of Seattle’s coast, the San Juan Islands archipelago is an incredible destination for adventure with great food, and relaxation right within Washington State. With over 100 islands this is the place to go when you’re ready to escape the real world in favor of sea kayaking with orca whales and biking forest trails that wind along the majestic coastline. 

These islands are famous for their abundant wildlife, rocky beaches, evergreen forests, and scenic coastal landscapes — all the ingredients for an amazing place to explore. But the history and culture of the islands is just as alluring! 

Great museums, galleries, lighthouses, and local shops and restaurants on the islands are perfect for a low-key trip with plenty of adventure tossed in. 

The Best 4-Day Itinerary for the San Juan Islands

Get a taste of what the islands have to offer with a 4-day trip, focusing on the “main” islands for tourists: San Juan Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island. Don’t worry — these places are far from touristy and some areas still feel completely off the beaten path. 

Here’s a 4-day itinerary for the San Juan Islands, created by our own Alice Ford during her recent trip, to explore Washington’s own island oasis! 

• Day 1: Friday Harbour, SJI National Historical Park, & Lime Kiln Point State Park
• Day 2: SJI English Camp, sculpture park & sunset kayak tour
• Day 3: Shaw Island ferry & Orcas Island adventures
• Day 4: Orcas Island Moran & Obstruction Pass state parks
• Optional add-on: Lopez Island

May through September is the best time to take advantage of this San Juan Islands itinerary. You’ll arrive to moderate weather and ensure the best attractions are open! Check out Alice’s island-hopping adventure in the San Juan Islands below. 

Day 1: Explore Friday Harbour & San Juan Island Parks

Drive from Seattle to Anacortes, the coastal gateway to the San Juan Islands. Hop on the ferry to cross the Rosario Strait (or book a seaplane from Seattle) to arrive on San Juan Island to begin the trip of a lifetime!

Check out Market Chef for lunch with a great in-house, locally-sourced deli (try the Spicy Italian or My Sister’s Favorite Sandwich) and a market if you’d rather bring a picnic to Cattle Point. 

San Juan Island is a history, art, and food hotspot nestled amid gorgeous and rugged Pacific Coast scenery. Conservation and preservation is a major focus here, with San Juan County being the first designated Leave No Trace area in the U.S.

Friday Harbour

Friday Harbour is such a gem to get started in. The ferry will bring you to this little town, which is absolutely hopping with local restaurants, shops, and accommodations. Grab a bite and if you’re up for it, take the scenic drive around the island to get your bearings and take in some of the awe-inspiring views. 

Here are some recommendations in Friday Harbour: 

• San Juan Island Sea Salt
• San Juan Islands Museum of Art
• The Whale Museum
• Waterworks Gallery

If you’re into whale watching, you have to check out The Whale Museum to see massive orca skeletons, use hydrophones to hear whale calls underwater, learn about local and transient pods, and get a commemorative orca trading card! 

Next up is the Cattle Point Interpretive Area, where you can see the Cattle Point Lighthouse nearby and walk along the rugged beach with jaw-dropping views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains or head out on a short hiking trail.

San Juan National Historical Park

Continue on to the southeastern side of the island and visit the San Juan National Historical Park (NHP) American Camp. This area brings you into the island’s history with old military buildings, beautiful coastal trails, and sprawling prairies where wildlife like eagles, deer, red foxes, and rabbits hang out. 

Learn about the introduction of foxes and rabbits to the island in the late 1800s and early 1900s (and the importance of not feeding these animals).

Lime Kiln Point State Park & San Juan County Park

Stop and see the Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the western end of the island, built in 1919 and still in operation as a navigational beacon. Climb the narrow staircase up to the very top in Lime Kiln Point State Park to enjoy the view and try to spot orcas! There’s a reason this place is also called Whale Watch Park. 

The 36-acre park has tons to do and see, from hiking and paddleboard rentals to scuba diving and kayaking. Stroll the rocky beach to look for porpoises, otters, sea lions, and seals, paying special attention to the magnificent orca, minke, and gray whales (spring through fall is best). 

Stop by the Lime Kiln Point Interpretive Center, a former Coast Guard garage, to bone up on whale facts and the park’s history as a lime mine. There’s a short interpretive trail that leads to nice views! 

Situated further north on the island’s western side, San Juan County Park is known for its jagged bluffs and rocky beaches overlooking the Haro Strait — it’s a great spot for a quick stroll and some whale-watching with pods of orcas swimming right through.

For a list of great tours on the island check out the list. 

Hotel Check-In and Dinner

Back in Friday Harbour, check in at your hotel (Alice recommends Cannery Inn) before grabbing dinner at the rustic Duck Soup, Friday Harbour House Restaurant, or vegan Mike’s Cafe and Wine Bar.

Day 2: NHP English Camp, Sculpture Park & Sunset Kayak Tour

Fuel up with coffee and breakfast at Salty Fox Coffee in Friday Harbour before driving to the northwestern San Juan National Historical Park English Camp. 

You’ll be able to see an old 19th-century settlement, complete with historic buildings, a boat dock, and exhibits. There are hiking trails to explore the wooded areas and rocky shoreline, so take your time enjoying the scenic views and history that surrounds this part of the island. 

San Juan Islands Sculpture Park

The San Juan Islands Sculpture Park is great to squeeze in next, though you could easily spend an entire afternoon in this 20-acre park housing 150+ sculptures of wildlife, historic events, and contemporary pieces. 

Walk the path to see amazing sculptures that vary from small to massive, contrasting with the natural surroundings. About 90 artists from the Pacific Northwest contribute to the park, displaying their works for sale. 

Sunset Kayak Tour

Before the sun sets, drive back to the San Juan County Park to take a sunset kayak tour with Discovery Sea Kayaks (book in advance). Paddle out to the lighthouse and watch the dazzling sunset from your kayak, taking in the serenity of the sea with some truly phenomenal photo ops. 

Local Shops & Dinner 

There are some great little shops in Friday Harbour, so after your kayak tour, head back into town and do some shopping and browsing! Madrone Cellars & Cider, Arctic Raven Gallery, and Griffin Bay Books are all cool places to explore tonight before dinner. 

Try dining at a local spot like Downriggers tonight. Get some rest for your ferry trips to Shaw Island and Orcas Island tomorrow!

Day 3: Shaw Island & Orcas Island Adventures

Today, you’ll be exploring Shaw and Orcas islands with stops like a rustic general store, the bustling town of Eastsound, and hiking trails at Turtleback Mountain Preserve. 

Shaw Island Walk & General Store

Check out from your hotel and board the ferry on foot to Shaw Island from Friday Harbour for a rejuvenating 5-mile walk (under 2 hours) through the park’s unspoiled landscapes and quaint town. Walk from the ferry dock to Blind Bay Road and enjoy the water views with roadside art. 

Turn left onto Reef Net Bay Road to reach Shaw County Park for excellent access to the wild beach. Take a stroll down the shore and continue back on the road, passing through a forested Graham Preserve on your way back to Blind Bay Road. 

At the Shaw General Store, you can grab coffee and supplies for an organic picnic lunch to eat by the ferry dock with lots of local arts and crafts, or wait and eat on Orcas Island. Board the ferry to Orcas Island (check times to make sure you can squeeze all your stops in today!) and check into your hotel. Consider the Village Inn at Eastsound. 

Eastsound, Orcas Island 

You’re going to love Orcas Island — great hiking and an absolutely fantastic farm-to-table food scene. New Leaf Cafe in Eastsound is perfect for lunch, housed in a historic inn with a view, serving “tide-to-table” options, classic and vegetarian dishes, and cocktails. 

Drive the Orcas Island Scenic Byway toward the west coast to visit local spots that make this island special. Don’t miss the whimsical Orcas Island Pottery (the oldest pottery shop in the PNW, and the artists live and work here). 

Continue south to hike Turtleback Mountain Preserve’s Ship Peak Loop. It’s 3 miles and leads through the forest to the most incredible views of the island and coast! Stop by the Orcas Island Winery on the way out for an indoor/outdoor tasting and refreshments (Thursday through Sunday) at the base of Turtleback Mountain. 

Tuck in early or spend a little time exploring the charming shops and local museums in Eastsound.

Day 4: Moran State Park & Obstruction Pass State Park

Start the day by checking out of your hotel and taking the Orcas Island Scenic Byway toward the eastern side of the island to reach Moran State Park. There’s a $10 parking fee (unless you have a Discovery Pass). 

Moran State Park & Mt. Constitution

This park is the home of the illustrious Mt. Constitution. This is the highest point in the San Juan Islands) capped with a 12th-century replica watchtower that offers stunning panoramic views of the Cascade range and surrounding islands. 

A road leads to the summit, but there are multiple trails to the summit beginning from Cold Springs, Mountain Lake, and the West Boundary. The hike is challenging, but rewarding with those awesome views if you’re lucky enough to avoid the fog! 

If you’re not up for summiting the mountain, the park has 30+ miles of trails to hike, some leading to waterfalls like the Cascade Waterfall through beautiful forest and lakefront settings. 

Back on the road south, you’ll pass Orcas Island Artworks — the perfect place to dive into the local culture and see what 45+ talented artists are creating in this former strawberry packing plant. From jewelry to ceramics, there’s plenty to browse and a cafe, Lascaux, where you can grab lunch! 

Obstruction Pass State Park

Obstruction Pass State Park is just a few minutes away on the southeastern coast. Moran is bigger and more popular, but this secluded park’s quiet beauty is soul-stirring. The park is named for the neighboring Obstruction Island and is home to the longest beach on Orcas.

A short 0.5-mile trail winds through a low forest to the bluffs overlooking the jewel-toned waters, then follows down to the beach. 

This sprawling shoreline is almost mystical with its crescent shape and marble-like rainbow-colored pebbles, shaped and worn over eons by the ocean’s persistence. Madrone trees miraculously grow from the rugged bluffs, giving you a spectacular space to reflect, enjoy the views, and relax. 

Head back to Eastsound for dinner at Matia Kitchen for a delicious meal prepared with locally-sourced ingredients — this place pulls out all the stops. I can’t think of a better place to enjoy your last dinner on Orcas Island — until your next visit, of course! 

Optional Add-On: Lopez Island 

If you have an extra day, take the ferry to Lopez Island from Orcas in the morning. Spend the day on a whale-watching tour or sea kayaking, rent bikes to ride around the scenic island, or hike in beautiful Spencer Spit State Park or Upright Head Preserve.

Experience the Wild Beauty of the San Juan Islands

The beauty of San Juan, Shaw, Orcas, and Lopez island probably won’t surprise you — it’s what they’re known for. But the vibrant community spirit you’ll find in the art, locally-sourced food, and parks around the islands is enough to make this destination memorable for even the most seasoned traveler! 

If you can’t get enough of ocean and mountain views, forested trails, and rugged coastal charm, start planning your escape to the San Juan Islands.

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