Top Things to do in San Juan Islands
The 10 Best Gift & Specialty Shops in San Juan Islands, San Juan Islands
Start your Pacific Northwest vacation in style, with a seaplane or ferry ride to the San Juan Islands from Seattle. It’s the ultimate way to take in the beauty of this region that Mother Nature has so abundantly blessed. You have a choice of three alluring islands – Lopez, the most rural, a mix of rolling farmland and beaches; Orcas, the largest of the San Juan Islands and replete with verdant mountains and placid lakes; and San Juan Island, where vibrant Friday Harbor welcomes ferry and seaplane guests and offers an array of charming accommodations and gourmet eateries.
Whether it’s whale-watching and sea kayaking, touring an art gallery or browsing a local farmers’ market, the San Juan Islands offer pleasing diversions for every age and interest. For the best chance to view orca whales and other sea life, plan your trip between April and September – a number of tour operators are available throughout the islands. Rev up your energy level with biking tours through rolling meadows and farmland, go birding on San Juan Island, hike the region’s modest mountains – offering outstanding vistas from the top – or go charter fishing for the day. Other favorites include hiking to Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island, taking a scenic flight over the area, attending an outdoor summer concert in the park and horseback riding.
Restaurants in San Juan Islands
1. Vital Elements....Of Imagination
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Serendipity the used book place
3. Joe Friday's Shirt Co.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
4. Just Heavenly Fudge Factory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
We make over 150 different flavors of fresh creamy gourmet fudge. You will find something different to try every time you come by, as well as traditional all time favorites. Be sure to ask for a free taste of our delicious fudge. Our gift shop features handmade items by local Lopez Artisans and Made in Washington gourmet foods. Find the perfect gift or memento of your visit to Lopez Island from our selection of sterling silver jewelry, blown glass ornaments, toys, posters, coasters, magnets, cards, handmade soaps, T-shirts, hats and the largest selection of Lopez and San Juan Islands souvenirs. We are Lopez island Souvenir Headquarters! Lopez Island Ice Cream Parlor Come in for a cone, cup, sundae, Root Beer float, Italian cream Sodas, old fashion milkshakes or malts and Specialty Milkshakes and sundaes with add in toppings.
Reviewed By JackieJ973 - Bellingham, United States
This was our first stop when we got to Lopez. It helped the kids get through all the traveling, since they could look forward to some ice cream. And it was delicious. It had awesome flavor and great texture. We also got a slice of fudge, and it was truly amazing. I've had plenty of fudge in my life, and this fudge is really unique and special. It has such a great texture. It's just so smooth and creamy and . . . well, fudgy. Now I have to find a new recipe to make for the holidays, because my basic Kraft marshmallow fluff recipe is so inadequate. It's so dry compared to this place's fudge. We really regret waiting until we got home to try our slice. If we had tried it while we were still on the island, we would have bought so much more. You MUST try this fudge.
5. Blossom Grocery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Fully stocked with all your favorite organic and GMO free grocery items as well a host of local choices from Lopez Island, Blossom Grocery is the oldest natural foods store in the San Juans. It is truly a visit that defies categorization.
6. Olga Pottery
7. Friday Harbor Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
8. Darvill's Bookstore
9. WaterWorks Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
WaterWorks Galley is San Juan Island’s premiere gallery for contemporary artwork. Established in 1985 with the concept of showcasing artists based in the the Pacific Northwest and the San Juan Islands. A recent addition is Art jewelry. The work of the gallery’s painters and sculptors reflect the unique Northwest experience. Artists and their visions evolve and change, stimulated by the changing times we live in. Cheers
10. Pelindaba Lavender Friday Harbor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Pelindaba Lavender Friday Harbor offers handcrafted lavender products made exclusively at Pelindaba Lavender Farm on San Juan Island. Washington. - - - Pelindaba Lavender is a premier grower of lavender plants, distiller of lavender essential oils and handcrafter of lavender products. On our beautiful farm on San Juan Island, we undertake these activities in accordance with the highest environmental and aesthetic standards. We cultivate all our lavender flowers in our own organically certified fields and extract the essential oils from these flowers in our own on-site distillery. From these flowers and essential oils, we handcraft on-site a wide range of botanical, culinary, personal care, therapeutic, household & pet care products. This vertically integrated model of sustainable agriculture enables us to preserve the farmland from further development, protect it from pollution, create employment opportunities for our fellow islanders and provide a destination of natural beauty for islanders and visitors alike. We believe that these endeavors, pursued with integrity and passion, will provide ample satisfaction in both human and economic terms, and will do full justice to our name... Pelindaba "Place of Great Gatherings". - - - In 2004 we opened Pelindaba Lavender in Downtown Friday Harbor for many reasons, not least among which was to provide a location close to the ferry landing for visitors who might not be able to visit the farm, but who still wanted a taste of our products (literally and figuratively). This unique Product Gallery is located in the Friday Harbor Center on First Street in Friday Harbor, just a block from the ferry landing.
