What is there to do in the San Juan Islands?
Where to Find Essential Resources for Travelers and Boaters
Almost every park has easy to lengthy hikes so follow this link to all the parks All the parks. Below are San Juan area hikes that are not found in parks
Almost every park has easy to lengthy hikes so follow this link to all the parks All the parks. Below are San Juan area hikes that are not found in parks
Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island (my all-time favorite)
Start this 2-3 hr round trip hike at Pelican Beach. The trail to the bluff is beyond the Smugglers Cove, Duck Lake turn off and is closed until July 15th to protect baby chicks. Keep the pets and children on a leash and back from the cliff edge at the very top.
Afterglow Mausoleum at Roche Harbor
This is a short walk to the mausoleum known for a missing pillar. Begin by walking up the resort road past the chapel. Turn left on the county road and then in a block or so, left again on Afterglow Dr. Watch for signs and trail in woods on the right side.
Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island
Begin this roughly two and a half mile (one way) hike at the dock at either the Prevost or Reid Harbor docks since they share the same isthmus and trailhead. Proceed on trail past sign and lots of stairs up and then down to the cove at the head of Reid Harbor. Wind your way through the kayaker campground and follow the service road, up, up and past the one room school to the intersection with Lighthouse road. Turn left and keep going, you can't get lost now.
To save about two miles of walking, consider starting this hike at the head of Prevost Harbor from the county dock where Lighthouse rd begins. As a bonus, you can ride your bikes from the county dock but be careful walking or riding because the last quarter mile going down the hill to the lighthouse is steep and littered with round rocks. We leave our bikes at the top and walk the last downhill stretch.
Young Hill at English Camp - San Juan Island
This short hike is only about a half mile, one way, but is pretty steep so bring water and pace yourselves. Begin at the English Camp dinghy dock in Garrison Bay. Follow the trail past the visitor center and up to the parking lot. Pick up the trail again at the top of the parking lot and continue up to West Valley rd. The trailhead begins across the road. There is a false top, so continue up until you are sure there is no more. You may be able to see your boat far below but will definitely see all the way to Vancouver Island, weather permitting.
China Caves from Fossil Bay - Sucia Island
China caves are special for children and the young at heart. The longest walk is about a mile from the docks at Fossil Bay. Simply walk the service road following signs to "Shallow Bay and China Caves" People anchored in Echo bay must dinghy ashore and then take the very short trail to Shallow Bay. Those already at Shallow Bay should dinghy ashore near the rocky outcropping at about the midpoint of the shoreline. The caves are more like numerous large and small pock markings in the sandstone cliffs. Your children will want to climb the cliffs and hide in the caves. Parents will fear them falling. Enjoy!
Vendovi Island: An Unspoiled Gem in the San Juan Islands
Tucked away just north of Cypress, Vendovi Island Preserve, along with Matia Island, is one of the must-visit destinations for nature lovers. Once a private residence, this entire island is now a protected haven for wildlife and visitors alike.
Tie to the dock in the protected cove on the north end of the island. As you step ashore, you'll be greeted by the sights and sounds of charming puffins that nest in the jetty rocks.
Vendovi Island offers three scenic and easy hiking trails that crisscross the island, each leading to stunning viewpoints overlooking Salish Sea waterways. You can comfortably explore all three in a single day, taking in the lush island landscapes.
Pack a lunch and relax at the island's historic gazebo, a peaceful garden spot with ocean views. Or, dine aboard your boat, and enjoy your meal alongside the puffins.
Visiting the preserve is free! The dock is for daytime use only. Help keep this special place pristine and pack it out.
Fort Whitman on Goat Island
Goat Island is not a hike but a fantastic almost unknown place to go. Fort Whitman is the draw and is a World War 1 gun emplacement built to repel ships attacking via Deception Pass barely five miles to the northwest. The big four inch guns are long gone but the concrete ramparts still stand. The reinforced guns well are impressive. Below everything are the dark magazine rooms and dank passages the soldiers used for running the battery.
Goat Island is charted at the southern end of Swinomish Channel. Anchor your boat or tie to one of hundreds of pilings. Once ashore, bushwack to the west and climb slightly uphill. You will find the fort in about two or three hundred feet. Fort Whitman was intended to be invisible from the water, and still is, but you will find it. Bring a flashlight.
Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island, this hike begins at West Sound County dock
FYI, all county docks are two-hour tie-ups and do not allow overnighting so to be safe, anchor your ship and drag the dinghy up on the float or gravel beach. Having bicycles on board is handy here but you can walk the long 1.25 miles west on Deer Harbor rd to the Turtleback Mtn trailhead on Wild Rose Ln. The preserve is marked and has a parking lot where you can padlock your bikes. You can also arrange for San Juan Transit to drop you off and pick you up from any of the other landings on Orcas Island.
Click here for >> Detailed instructions for the above hikes and more
Eagle Bluff (Cliff) from Rosario Strait
Dining/eats:
I have never reviewed restaurants and won't here. However, a newbie to the San Juans has no idea where to go.
Locations - Provisions
Eastsound:
It's a one block walk from the county dock to downtown with many bistros, and shops and the largest grocery store on Orcas Island (no fuel and no overnight tie up)
Rosario Resort: (halfway down East Sound)
Dock, marina, restaurants, fuel, museum
Lopez Village - Fisherman Bay:
Restaurant and marina at Islander Resort or click here for Dinghy beach landing at Lopez Village fuel docks
Friday Harbor:
Many, many places are walking distance from complementary tie-ups in the marina, including the largest grocery in the islands (fuel of course)
Deer Harbor:
Deli on dock, restaurants on shore, restrooms, fuel, small county float
Several restaurants on shore, complementary dock, dinghy docks, fuel, restrooms, groceries, hiking, gardens, attractions
Deli in store on dock, transient tie ups, fuel
Blakely's: On Blakely Island
Is just inside Peavine Pass, has a small deli bar (great hard ice cream stop) marina and fuel, groceries, souvenir shopping, and camping provisions:
More answers to questions about traveling by boat in the
San Juan Islands
Excellent advice is to bring with you what you can before you head out, but the San Juans are not without good grocery stores, fuel stops, etc. You just need to know where they are. This comprehensive post has them all >> Where are all the big stores?
Gas and diesel are readily available. I would arrive with full tanks but not to worry if you don't. This link will take you to all of them >> fuel docks
All cities and marinas are well noted on this site but there are lots of docks other than parks that you may visit for short term, try this link, 16 public docks other than parks where you are welcome
Museums - Visitor centers
Turn Point Lighthouse Museum on Stuart Island
Patos Island Lighthouse Museum on Patos
Moran Mansion has a third floor museum at Rosario Resort
Whale Museum at Friday Harbor
English Camp at Garrison Bay on San Juan Island
American Camp visitor center on San Juan Island (not accessible by boat)
Sculpture Garden at Roche Harbor
There are Saturday Markets at Lopez Village, Friday Harbor and Eastsound
No comments:
Post a Comment
The comment box was recently restored after being misplaced for a few years. Feel free to offer comments. Use the e-mail box to ask questions.