Discover the breathtaking nature and laid-back culture of the San Juan Archipelago

Welcome to San Juan Island! Your guide will meet you in Friday Harbor upon arrival of your the San Juan Clipper from Seattle. Soak in the welcoming ambiance and relaxed pace of life as we stroll this historic town's square-mile of galleries, museums and cafes.

The second-largest of the islands in the archipelago, San Juan has the largest population, at around 7,000. A tranquil haven of thriving farmlands and quiet forests, San Juan Island attracts artists, sportsmen, and outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

From Friday Harbor, we'll make our way to the foot of Mt. Grant where we begin our ascent to the summit. We hike past towering Douglas firs and colorful wildflowers to reach a sweeping 360-degree panorama of mountains, islands, and water. Clear views reveal the Cascades, the Olympics, and Mt. Rainier, as well as Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

In the afternoon, we head to the American Camp area at the southern part of San Juan Island. Here, we stroll the grassy slopes of the long-deserted Belle Vue Sheep Farm towards picturesque Grandmas Cove. We continue our hike along the coast, overlooking the scenic Strait of Juan de Fuca. After a visit to sandy South Beach, we return to the trailhead to visit the site of the American Camp. Claimed by both the British and the Americans, tensions on San Juan Island escalated into the "Pig War" when a British pig found its way into an American garden. Each side established a war camp. Today, we'll visit the relics of the American Camp's historic buildings including the officer's quarters and the building that housed the camp's laundress'.

This evening, we return from our hike to settle into our lakeside accommodation before dinner at a favorite local restaurant, featuring cuisine made from locally-sourced ingredients from the land and sea.

This morning, we head to the harbor to explore the waters around San Juan Island on an exciting whale watching boat tour. Keep an eye out for the playful humpbacks, inquisitive minkes, and majestic orcas that call these waters home. Year after year, the same whales return to the area, and your friendly guides will give you a rundown of who's who. An area rich in marine wildlife, other animals we're likely to see include harbor seals, Dall's porpoise, and sea lions.

Back on land this afternoon, we'll make a visit to the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park at Roche Harbor. The walking paths of the 20-acre park allow us to explore an outdoor collection of over 150 sculptures. Stroll past a scenic pond and through open meadows admiring artwork by local, national, and emerging artists.

Tonight's relaxing dinner is at another local favorite, where you'll get a taste for genuine San Juan hospitality along with delicious homemade food.

Today, we head to the north side of San Juan Island to visit English Camp, the counterpart to American Camp. After a tour of the Visitors' Center, we take a path towards Garrison Bay where we'll find the camp's historic buildings. Once a vast compound, the blockhouse and commissary still remain, while the Visitors' Center occupies the barracks. We'll stop to admire the camp's lush formal garden, with its manicured flower beds and shrubs — a recreation of the original garden, which served as a beautiful reminder of the officers' English home.

From English Camp, we follow a forested trail along the shore of the bay to Westcott Bay Shellfish Farm, a cooperative aquaculture farm. If time allows, we may also stop at a local distillery to sample handmade shrubs and gins.

After lunch, we head out from Friday Harbor on kayaks. No experience is necessary as our kayak guides will provide basic instruction. We glide through the serene waters in the shadow of Mt. Baker in search of pelagic wildlife as we explore the tidal zone of Griffin Bay. We paddle around Dinner Island and enjoy splendid views of the Olympic Mountains cresting above Cattle Pass.

Upon landing back in Friday Harbor you may choose to either return to the hotel to freshen up before dinner or wander the studios and galleries with sculptures, paintings, jewelry, pottery, and other crafts. The inspiring natural beauty of the San Juan Islands attracts artists of all kinds, making Friday Harbor the perfect place to view original works by the area's artists.

After our full day, we'll gather again for dinner.

This morning we board a ferry for Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands. Its hilly terrain and dense woodland offer exciting opportunities for hiking and walking, and the island's horseshoe shape has an extensive coastline with secluded bays and beaches.

Although its name is similar to the area's endangered whale, the name Orcas actually comes from "Horcasitas," the name of the Mexican viceroy whose expeditions arrived in the area in the late 1700s.

From the ferry dock at Orcas Village, we transfer to Moran State Park on the opposite side of the island. With 38 miles of hiking trails, five freshwater lakes, and the archipelago's highest mountain, Mt. Constitution, opportunities to explore the island's diverse landscape abound. Here, we'll stroll beside picturesque lakes, trek to secluded waterfalls, and ascend towering Mt. Constitution. From the stone lookout at the mountain's summit, we're treated to sweeping views of the San Juan Archipelago islands scattered through deep blue waters, with Mt. Baker and the North Cascade mountains in the distance.

Next, we visit the spa at Doe Bay Resort & Retreat (optional) where heated, outdoor, saltwater soaking tubs soothe tired muscles and melt away stress. Admire stunning views of the bay from the tubs or spend some time relaxing in the spa's dry sauna.

Once we're thoroughly refreshed from the spa, we check in to the night's charming inn.

After breakfast, we set out to explore the studios and galleries, which feature the works of Orcas Island's many artists. From pottery to jewelry, painting to glasswork, photography to stonework, Orcas Island is home to a thriving community of local artists. We'll stop to admire artwork and speak to the artists themselves about their craft. As we peruse the studios and galleries, perhaps you'll discover a special piece to bring home.

Throughout the day, we'll visit with local farmers whose bounty graces the tables of the island's restaurants and kitchens. We'll also have a chance to speak with the vegetable farmers, ranchers, and crafters responsible for supplying the ingredients for tonight's dinner at a restaurant in town.

On our final morning on the San Juan Islands, we transfer to Orcas Village to board the ferry. Enjoy the views of Shaw, Lopez, and Blakely Islands on the way to Anacortes. From here, we transfer to Seattle for journeys home or more west coast adventuring.