After your first visit to San Juan Island, you may ask yourself if it's enough to stay at a Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast or if you should open one of your own. This charming Washington town is the perfect destination for people who want to get away from the modern rat race, enjoy a taste of small town America, and still have a wide choice of things to enjoy.
San Juan was claimed by the Hudson Bay Company, which used it not for the fur trade but for a salmon cannery. An early settler came to work in the cannery but stayed and gave the town its name. Later residents raised vegetables and fruit for export to the mainland, as well as continuing with commercial fishing. Today the islands, including San Juan, are prime tourist attractions.
The population of between two and three thousand permanent residents shows that this really is a small town. It's surrounded by mountains and water; the views are breathtaking. Everything else is sky, beaches, boats, and charming homes and businesses. Visitors are encouraged to get on 'island time', which is slow and sweet.
Visitors can take a ferry to the island, fly into the busy airport, hop on a seaplane, or come by private boat. For getting around town, there are taxis for those who didn't bring their automobiles over by ferry. There are bicycles and mopeds for rent, and most things are accessible to pedestrians. The whole town is about two miles square. B&Bs are among the most popular accommodations; reservations are pretty much required, especially for the summertime.
There are many kinds of Bed and Breakfast establishments, too. Some are very private; one has only one guest room suite. Others have up to seven, while some hotel chains offer the authentic B&B experience in their rooms. They promise privacy, luxurious bedrooms, charming gardens to stroll in, and gourmet breakfast buffets.
To pick and choose, there are great photo galleries and amenity descriptions online. You can see bedrooms, private balconies, charming gardens, and magnificent views of water, mountains, garden walks, and sunsets. Customer reviews that may help you make a selection are posted for each registered inn. There are gracious cottages, vintage Victorians, and more contemporary accommodations - something for every taste.
Many places have unobstructed views of the water. One is even on a boat. This cabin cruiser has all the charm and comfort you could ask for; it's just that the bedrooms are below decks while the easy chairs are on top. The marina is a fun place to be - busy but peaceful.
Although the town prides itself on being quiet and peaceful, there's a lot to do. Watching wildlife is very popular; you can do this from one of the many beaches, from a special whale watch boat, from your own kayack, or while hiking or cycling around the island. You may see two species of whales, wild turkeys, deer, eagles, Trumpeter swans, rabbits, raccoons, and seals, as well as many western songbirds. The downtown area has great restaurants, galleries and museums, shopfronts and an open air market, and views of the water almost everywhere.
San Juan was claimed by the Hudson Bay Company, which used it not for the fur trade but for a salmon cannery. An early settler came to work in the cannery but stayed and gave the town its name. Later residents raised vegetables and fruit for export to the mainland, as well as continuing with commercial fishing. Today the islands, including San Juan, are prime tourist attractions.
The population of between two and three thousand permanent residents shows that this really is a small town. It's surrounded by mountains and water; the views are breathtaking. Everything else is sky, beaches, boats, and charming homes and businesses. Visitors are encouraged to get on 'island time', which is slow and sweet.
Visitors can take a ferry to the island, fly into the busy airport, hop on a seaplane, or come by private boat. For getting around town, there are taxis for those who didn't bring their automobiles over by ferry. There are bicycles and mopeds for rent, and most things are accessible to pedestrians. The whole town is about two miles square. B&Bs are among the most popular accommodations; reservations are pretty much required, especially for the summertime.
There are many kinds of Bed and Breakfast establishments, too. Some are very private; one has only one guest room suite. Others have up to seven, while some hotel chains offer the authentic B&B experience in their rooms. They promise privacy, luxurious bedrooms, charming gardens to stroll in, and gourmet breakfast buffets.
To pick and choose, there are great photo galleries and amenity descriptions online. You can see bedrooms, private balconies, charming gardens, and magnificent views of water, mountains, garden walks, and sunsets. Customer reviews that may help you make a selection are posted for each registered inn. There are gracious cottages, vintage Victorians, and more contemporary accommodations - something for every taste.
Many places have unobstructed views of the water. One is even on a boat. This cabin cruiser has all the charm and comfort you could ask for; it's just that the bedrooms are below decks while the easy chairs are on top. The marina is a fun place to be - busy but peaceful.
Although the town prides itself on being quiet and peaceful, there's a lot to do. Watching wildlife is very popular; you can do this from one of the many beaches, from a special whale watch boat, from your own kayack, or while hiking or cycling around the island. You may see two species of whales, wild turkeys, deer, eagles, Trumpeter swans, rabbits, raccoons, and seals, as well as many western songbirds. The downtown area has great restaurants, galleries and museums, shopfronts and an open air market, and views of the water almost everywhere.