San Juan Accommodations

	Orca Whale Breaches the Surface in the San Juan Islands 1

The San Juan Islands. Throughout history, they have been favored for their temperate climate, safe harbors and abundant fish stocks. The islands have seen times of peace, times of conflict and times of military occupation. They have suffered fires, epidemics and infestations. They have been used for shipping, smuggling and illegal boarder crossings and through it all, this group of islands has remained one of the Northwest's most treasured gems.

The latest development has seen the San Juan Islands gain notoriety as a distinctive tourist destination—each island displaying its own character and particular charm.

Orcas Island is the largest of the group and is home to an eclectic community of artisans and small cottage businesses. As the second largest island in the chain, San Juan Island has both the highest population and the only incorporated town in the group. Lopez Island, the third largest, is much flatter than the others, making it popular with farmers and bicycle tourists. Shaw Island, the smallest and least developed of the four main islands, is mostly privately owned.

	Friday Harbor 2

Primarily farming and fishing communities, these four islands have also seen an increase in urban refugees—artists, musicians and artisans drawn in, along with nature lovers and professionals, by the slower, easy going way of life they find here.

Nearly 40 other islands are inhabited in the San Juan region. Private transportation must be arranged to reach any of these because they are not serviced by a ferry.

SAN JUAN DIRECTORIES

Worldweb.com has developed three useful directories for those visiting the San Juan Islands. These three directories are designed to help make planning a vacation to the islands as convenient as possible.

1)Accommodation Directory – This directory provides detailed information about the hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns, campgrounds and other accommodations in the area.

2)Room Reservations – This is a free online service that allows the user to check for room availability, then conveniently and securely reserve their choice.

3)Maps – The map system provides a detailed map of the area, allowing the user to easily locate attractions, restaurants and shops.

ACCESS THE ISLANDS

Set off mainland Washington where the Strait of Georgia meets with the Juan de Fuca Strait, these islands are accessible only by private boat, ferry and charter airplane.

Originating from a dock in Anacortes, Washington State Ferries provide regular service to Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island, San Juan Island and Sidney, BC.

Victoria Express Ferries connect Vancouver Island with Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, and Port of Angeles in Washington.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the closest major airport, however, several small charter airlines and seaplanes frequent the Friday Harbor Airport on San Juan Island, the Orcas Island Airport and the Lopez Airstrip on Lopez Island.

	Sailing off the San Juan Islands 3

ISLAND LAYOUT

Part of the 170-plus islands in the San Juan Archipelago, the San Juan Islands are mainly composed of four inhabited islands: Lopez Island, San Juan Island, Orcas Island and Shaw Island. The majority of these islands are quite hilly with some flat, fertile valleys in between. The coastlines are typical of the area—lined with evergreen and Madrona trees they convey a mix of rocky beaches, deep harbors and reef-studded bays.

WEATHER OR NOT TO VISIT

Due to their position in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the San Juan Islands are noted for how little rainfall they receive, about half that of neighboring Seattle. Claiming nearly 250 days of sunshine per year, the region's summertime highs measure in at around 70°F (21°C) while the winter time lows approach 35°F (1°C). Snow is uncommon except in the higher elevations, but the islands are periodically subjected to fog and high winds in most seasons.

THE QUARTET EXAMINED

The San Juan quartet affords people many opportunities to get out and enjoy their natural surroundings. Kayaking, biking and hiking are popular, cost effective ways to explore this amazing place. Many whales make their way through the islands as they follow food stocks and the ocean's currents. This is a sight to be seen and many local whale watching tours, such as Island Adventures, San Juan Safaris and Orcas Island Eclipse Charters provide the opportunity to witness the spectacle. Boating and fishing are also popular activities here due to the protection offered by the islands' location in the straight.

Aside from the plethora of accommodations, the small communities scattered throughout the islands also have a fantastic selection of dining and shopping establishments. While visiting, be sure to check out the local galleries and museums; they are full of San Juan's history and culture.

When planning a trip to any of these islands, be sure to book well in advance as they tend to run at full capacity during the summer high season.

	Sunset from Lopez Island 4

Lopez Island
A pleasant 45-minute ferry ride from Anacortes brings visitors to the predominately rural Lopez Island. Coined as The Friendly Isle, waving to passing motorists is a sort of local custom here. Rolling hills, flat pastures and the laid-back feel of Lopez award travelers with a peaceful retreat, and make for an ideal layout for the annual Tour De Lopez bicycle tour in April.

Lopez Village is located on the west side of the island and serves as the main hub of activity. Most of the local businesses and lodgings are either centralized in the village or spread along Fisherman Bay to its south.

Guests can stay in the heart of Lopez Village at the Edenwild Inn. This hotel features eight individually decorated guest rooms with private baths and garden views. For those planning an extended stay, Lopez Lodge offers two-story studio apartments within Lopez Village. These quiet apartments present suites with an impressive view of the San Juan Channel.

South of the village, overlooking Fisherman's Bay, Lopez Islander Bay Resort provides visitors with a 60-slip marina and a hotel that offers a view of the brilliant San Juan sunsets. An RV park and campground are also available at the resort.

Lodging can be found all over Lopez. Ravens Rook Guest Cabins islocated 10 mi (16 km) south of Lopez Village next to the beaches of Shark Reef Park and the living tide pools found there. On the southern end of the island, a beachfront bed and breakfast called MacKaye Harbor Inn offers visitors five rooms year round, as well as free bike and kayak rentals. The Inn at Swifts Bay is located on the island's north end and provides easy access to the Lopez Ferry Terminal and Spencer Spit State Park—a popular clamming and crabbing spot with 37 waterfront campsites.

San Juan Island
A little over an hour's ride from Anacortes by ferry, San Juan Island is regarded as the most popular vacation destination of the four islands, and is the most densely populated. As such, it is home to a large selection of attractions, and adventure tourism companies, many of which are found in Friday Harbor. This enchanting island has a sordid history, particularly from 1859 to 1872—the period of the Pig War.

During the summer, Whale Watch Park in Friday Harbor is visited by migrating pods of Orca whales as they make the surrounding waters their seasonal home each year.

	Kayaking in the San Juan Islands 5

Out of all the islands in the region, San Juan has the most accommodations from which to choose. In Friday Harbor, Best Western operates a hotel only blocks from the Friday Harbor Airport. Just down the street, Elements Hotel creatively crosses a spa with a motor inn. This stylish hotel features a heated pool, a full-service spa, a fitness center with sauna and the convenience of easy access to the ferry, the airport and the waterfront.

Lakedale Resort serves as an elegant lakefront getaway for those seeking more secluded lodgings. Set approximately 6 mi (10 km) north of Friday Harbor, guests of Lakedale have their choice of the cozy rooms at the timber-frame lodge, one of the family-sized cabins or a 73-site campground.

Just east of Friday Harbor, the 5-acre (2-ha) country estate of Trumpeter Inn offers guests a tranquil retreat with easy access to the town's amenities and attractions. This bed and breakfast has a massage studio and outdoor hot tub, perfect for winding down.

For a more rustic visit, there are three campgrounds located on San Juan. The very popular San Juan Country Park operates a seasonal campground with picnic facilities and hiking trails. Whether or not one is camping, San Juan Country Park is a must see—from here the breathtaking mountaintop views of Vancouver Island and the surrounding area can hardly be matched.

Orcas Island
Approximately 80 minutes by ferry from Anacortes, visitors will find Orcas Island. This Isle is home to a small community of artisans, craftsmen and placid accommodations. This large horseshoe-shaped island harbors a diverse landscape of mountains and wooded countryside. Five small, sparsely populated communities are scattered over the landscape, Eastsound being the largest. Mount Constitution towers 2,409 ft (734 m) over Moran State Park, located near Eastsound. This mountain affords spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding islands.

	Ferry Landing in Washinton State 6

Orcas has a wide array of lodging options in and around the island's quasi capital, Eastsound, including nearly 20 bed and breakfasts and 40 vacation homes.

Located near Eastsound Village, the Kangaroo House was built in 1907 and has been providing accommodations for over a quarter century.

Those looking for luxury accommodations outside of Eastsound should head for the Rosario Resort. Once the estate of a shipbuilder named Robert Moran, Rosario is now the island's largest hotel. It offers first class dining and accommodations and is listed on the National Historic Register.

Buck Bay Farm Inn & Lavender Field is a charming white clapboard farmhouse surrounded by acres of gardens, pastures and forests. Close to Moran State Park and Obstruction Pass State Park, this is a good example of the pleasant hospitality common amongst the San Juan Islands.

For those planning an extended stay on the island, the condominium units at Eastsound Landmark Inn offer complete living amenities including full kitchens, fireplaces and three bedrooms.

Shaw Island
Less than 200 people reside on Shaw Island, and most of them are happy to keep it that way. The island itself is cradled between the three other islands and remains principally undeveloped. There is a 64-acre (26-ha) campground in Shaw Island County Park, supplies can be gathered at Shaw's lone general store, and the Shaw Island Historical Museum provides visitors with some insight into the island's history. Besides these things, most visitors traveling to Shaw are drawn to its quiet setting and natural surroundings.

	Panoramic View from San Juan Island 7