You can see several fascinating displays of whale skeletons, watch videos, and learn about the behavior of these magnificent sea creatures. The San Juan Island Community Theatre, just three blocks from the Bird Rock Hotel, presents world class entertainment by the sea. Locals in the San Juan Islands know that after a busy summer is over, local restaurants start up their weekly specials and happy hours that offer small plates, wine, beer and cocktails for a great price. Whether alone, with your love or the entire family, San Juan Island in the Winter will let you unwind, relax and replenish without straining your pocket book. The island is part of Turn Island Marine State Park and the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. From “the Met Live in HD” showings to Christmas concerts with our talented island musicians, from thought provoking plays to contemporary music performances by nationally acclaimed artists, you’ll be entertained and inspired. However, I pushed aside my intense fear of the ocean and allowed myself to drift out to sea inside a pointy fiberglass tube—and I’m so glad I did. An … Let the fresh, salty air breeze through your hair while the knowledgeable, entertaining captain shows you his secret spots for Bald Eagles, Steller Sea Lions, exotic wild game on a small dessert island off our coast, Porpoises and the occasional Orca family or Humpback Whale. Drive high above South Beach, through rolling hills of prairie grass. The best outdoor activities in San Juan Islands according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Moran State Park; Lime Kiln Point State Park; Lime Kiln Point State Park Interpretive Center; Cattle Point; Shark Reef Sanctuary; See all outdoor activities in San Juan Islands on Tripadvisor In Friday Harbor, the Whale Museum is one of the best ways to learn about marine wildlife, especially before you go out on a whale and wildlife watching tour, a few of which run year-round. Winter is a “quiet” season for the San Juan Islands. Make a day of it and visit historic Roche Harbor Resort and one of its acclaimed restaurants afterwards. Because of the Olympic Rainshadow, we get far less rain and storms than the mainland. Winters on San Juan Island are invigorating, quiet, festive and just what the doctor ordered when holiday planning, cooking and shopping gets you down. The San Juan Islands are an archipelago in the Pacific Northwest of the United States between the U.S. state of Washington and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.The San Juan Islands are part of Washington state, and form the core of San Juan County.. It could be cold and stormy, with the high tide smashing majestic drift wood logs onto the pebbly beach or absolutely still, with a couple of loons swimming by as if on a lake. Sure beats a crowded mall! The tasting room at Island Wine Company, 2 Cannery Landing (tel. You never know what to expect when visiting South Beach, San Juan Island’s longest beach, in the winter. Our brisk, sunny days – courtesy of the Olympic Rain Shadow – when the rest of Washington experiences its infamous rainfall, invite to recharging walks on empty beaches, cozy candlelit dinners at quaint restaurants you can walk San Juan Historical Museum, just a few blocks from the Earthbox, invites everyone to their Old-fashioned Christmas Celebration in early December. Every year there is always an impressive diversity of talent, with paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and encaustic, as well as pastels, photography, mixed media, pottery, sculpture, glass, wood, textiles, and jewelry by Artists’ Registry members. In the archipelago, four islands are accessible to vehicular and foot traffic via the Washington State Ferries system. Make a bonfire, bring a blanket and some hot dogs or a slab of salmon for the grill, watch for eagles and foxes, bunnies and seals and breath the fresh, salty air, before going back to your comfy hotel bed to dream about the sea. There are 172 named islands and reefs in San Juan County, however the four ferry 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 tourism activities. Brighten Up the Holiday Season - Island Style, Travel Advisory: Find the latest information HERE, best hikes on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Islands, Cask & Schooner Public House & Restaurant, Music Concert & Historical Narrative at Rosario Resort. Then get a relaxing massage at one of the islands many massage studios and spas. Dark winter days call for meeting with friends over food, drink and great conversation. Contact Us: info@visitsanjuans.com 1-888-468-3701 | (360) 378-9551 P.O. Thinking of a trip to the San Juan Islands in Washington? In winter, the state, county and national parks and forests are quiet and serene. In This Guide: Explore the Island’s Outdoor Offerings; Get Active – Walk, Hike, Bike or Paddle Your Way Around San Juan Island; Soak in Vibrant Island History and Culture; Take a Bite out of San Juan Island ; Getting There and Frequently Asked Questions . Find the best hikes on Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Islands. No one died! Emergency Services. Cattle Point. The San Juan Islands in winter offer plenty of activities that you can still enjoy both in and out of doors, though you might have to add some extra layers! You’ll sleep like a baby and will wake up a new person. Highly rated activities for a rainy day in San Juan Islands: The top indoor things to do in San Juan Islands. Only 4 of the San Juan Islands have ferry service: San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island. Answer 1 of 4: I have family coming in from out of state, and in addition to some "in the city" destinations and activities i've got up my sleeve, we were thinking of going to one of the islands overnight. People build little beach huts out of driftwood logs, and you can sit inside as the wind and waves rise and Nature … READ MORE > Things To Do This Winter. Find travel ideas and itineraries to visit the San Juan Islands. The park is open year-round, pet friendly and is a delight for all ages. READ MORE > @VisitSanJuans #VisitSanJuans Order Brochure/Map. Which is true for a lot of popular summer vacation spots, however, we found it to be the … Imagine walking from unique boutiques to extraordinary galleries to splendid antique stores in a quaint, small town to get your holiday shopping done. The staff is wonderful and the little extras, To change the HTML for the HEADER. I even spent one trip boat camping off Orcas Island, which is something I recommend at … Storm Watching. Treat yourself to a weekend away from it all. Things to Do in San Juan Islands, Washington: See Tripadvisor's 57 970 traveller reviews and photos of 120 San Juan Islands attractions. Follow the San Juan Island Scenic Byway; Visit the San Juan Island National Historic Park; Hike up Mt. Hey there! You will not receive emails from visitsanjuans.com at this email address unless you sign up for one of our mailing lists. The smaller islands have community events, especially during the summer months. Watch foxes play and eagles soar, while the Salish Sea beneath you roars. With an average daily temperature of 66 degrees in September, 58 in October and 50 in November, autumn in the San Juan Islands is a beautiful season, with many sunny days. The rest of the San Juans can be visited by boat including state parks like Turn Island State Park which is not far from Friday Harbor. Stroll an empty beach, browse in uncrowded shops and indulge in spas, local wines, and delicious cuisine. Several resorts in the San Juan Islands have ongoing yoga classes all year-round, and there are other small yoga studios where you can find classes as well. Winter Paradise in the San Juan Islands. If you visit over the holidays, leave the cooking to COHO Restaurant, where they put on amazing, Farm to Table chef’s dinners for all major (and minor) occasions. Across the street from the Bird Rock Hotel, you’ll find the Friday Harbor Whale Museum, the first in the nation solely devoted to a species living in the wild. Things to Do in San Juan Island, Washington: See Tripadvisor's 12,618 traveler reviews and photos of San Juan Island attractions. San Juan Island and its quaint coastal town of Friday Harbor are especially charming in the Winter. You'll find the wine shop on the immediate left as you leave the ferry. Other times when the winds are howling and the rains are gushing down, you want to find a cozy place to sit by the fire with a glass of wine and watch the storm. 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