San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands are an archipelago between Washington and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The San Juans are known for offering a slower-paced lifestyle and a mellow “island vibe”. The islands offer a temperate year-round climate with less rainfall than some parts of the state, due to being in the “rainshadow” of the Olympic Mountains. There are 172 named islands and reefs in San Juan County, however, the four ferries served Islands; San Juan Island (with the county seat Friday Harbor), Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island are the most populous and host the vast majority of housing, shopping, schools and dining options. One of the world’s best whale-watching destinations, the San Juan Islands has its fair share of attractions on land, too, with peaceful beaches and meadows to explore on bike or foot, and numerous art galleries to meander through. Homes consist of in-town houses as well as homes of acreage and stunning waterfront homes and estates. Some are year-round homes while others are part-time or vacation homes.  Each island has its own personality. San Juan features the town of Friday Harbor dotted with charming restaurants and shops and know for its art community of both theater and galleries. Lush Orcas Island also has a thriving art scene and numerous hiking paths at Moran State Park. The least hilly of the San Juans, Lopez Island is a bicycler’s paradise. About 20 square kilometers, Shaw is the smallest of the four San Juan Islands served by Washington State Ferries. Travel to the San Juan Islands is done by Washington State Ferries, charter boat services, seaplane or private boat.