The Guide | The San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands are an idyllic archipelago off the coast of Washington state that host the U.S.'s largest concentration of bald eagles and are a popular destination for whale watching—especially orcas. In the early morning, we caught the car and passenger ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island from Anacortes, about an hour-and-a-half drive north of Seattle. Popular with the locals, the Rocky Bay Cafe is a casual spot to grab a hearty breakfast after that long ferry ride. Charming B&Bs dot the island, and we chose The Trumpeter Inn—a 10-minute drive into the countryside from town. Recreation and activities abound on the island, and one of my favorites was a visit to the Pelindaba Lavender Farm with its fragrant, blooming fields and many worker bees. San Juan Island has a long and rich history and two national historic parks—American Camp and English Camp—boast a network of family-friendly trails, spectacular views, and historic military barracks. At American Camp, take the trail out to the overlook above Grandma’s Cove, where you might be lucky to catch a glimpse of whales breaching and bald eagles soaring above. For the photographers out there who love a good lighthouse, Lime Kiln Point State Park is an excellent stop with abundant hiking trails on the way to English Camp. Cattle Point Lighthouse is also worth a quick visit, but the best photos are taken from afar. We wiled away one afternoon in the picturesque little town of Roche Harbor, a 20-minute drive around the island from Friday Harbor. We walked along the docks, watching as the sailboats returned from their seafaring adventures. Setting out from scenic Snug Harbor resort, we spent our final day on the island in a Crystal Seas kayak, spotting sea lions, a lion's mane jellyfish, and much more in the water as we paddled along the rocky shoreline—an absolute highlight! For dinner, Cask & Schooner didn't disappoint with a big bowl of fresh mussels and grilled artisan bread. Mosey on over to Friday Harbor Ice Cream Co. for some rocky road and watch the ships sail in and out as the sun sets on another great day. 

All photography © Ali McLaren | McLaren & Co.