Take a deep breath and feel the change in pace... you are now on "Island Time".
If you haven't already made reservations for activities and lodging, do so now.
Visit the Whale Museum and Adopt A Whale.
Prepare a picnic and visit Lime Kiln Point State Park (also known as Whale Watch Park) and look for Orca and Minke whales.
Enjoy a play or concert at the San Juan Community Theatre.
Stroll through Westcott Bay Reserve, our 19 Acre Sculpture Garden at Roche Harbor.
Visit the 1892 Community Church overlooking San Juan Valley.
Visit the Open Air Market and other shops and galleries downtown.
Browse the Port of Friday Harbor docks for your dream boat.
Get fresh shrimp or fish on the dock at Friday Harbor Seafood.
Say hello to "Popeye", the local harbor seal and, maybe, her new pup.
Check out the Kenmore Air seaplane base - take the ride of your life.
Walk the trails of history at American Camp, and explore the beaches.
Tour the Officers Formal Gardens at English Camp, and hike the trails for a great view.
Attend the English Camp Evening Musicale in August for a full program of classics of American folk music, from 19th century compositions to the songs of 1930's Dustbowl days.
Observe sea creatures in a tidal pool at False Bay, American Camp and South Beach.
Visit the San Juan County Historical Museum.
Play tennis free, the outdoor courts are at the High School.
Pack a picnic and watch the sunrise from Jackson Beach.
Play volleyball at Jackson Beach.
Collect driftwood from Jackson Beach.
Charter a scenic flight over all the islands.
Explore San Juan County Park and Smallpox Bay.
Tour Pelindaba Lavender Farms. Organic fresh cut lavender and many handcrafted lavender products.
Get a book at one of our local bookstores and lounge in bed, or on a sunny grassy knoll.
Play a round of golf at the San Juan Golf Course.
Visit Westcott Bay Sea Farms. World-famous oysters, mussels, and clams are seasonally available.
Visit the local vineyard and their wine tasting room, call 360-378-9463 for hours of operation.
See Mona the Camel, across the street from San Juan Vineyards. She loves apples.
On Saturdays visit our popular Farmer's Market for fresh vegetables, flowers, plants, honey and more - from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the County Courthouse parking lot. (mid April - mid October).
Pamper yourself with a Body Massage, manicure or pedicure Afterglow or Lavendera Day Spa
Check out the history of the Mausoleum and hike back in the woods to see it. The setting is beautiful and steeped in history and myth. Visit at midnight - if you dare.
Catch a first run movie at our local theater.
Learn something new - take sailing or kayak lessons.
Scuba dive! Meet a buddy here or bring your own.
Take your children to fly kites and barbecue at South Beach.
See if you can spot the rabbits and foxes on Bunny Hill, on the way to South Beach.
Attend the San Juan County Fair in August.
Try to recognize places in movies filmed on San Juan Island, like Free Willy and Practical Magic.
Go fishing on one of our many lakes. Get a license at King's Sporting Goods, Spring & First.
People watch at Water Front Park.
Play pool or watch sports on big screen T.V. at one of the local taverns.
Take a pretty stroll down to Jakles Lagoon and enjoy the little beach.
Pick blackberries in summer, they are everywhere, huge and free.
Join us for our 4th of July Parade, Street Dance, Fireworks and Pig War Barbecue.
Rent a boat at Lakedale Resort.
Ask the local ranchers about their many types of stock. Everything from Shetland sheep, miniature horses, and Scottish Highland cattle to llamas, alpacas and ostrich.
Visit the Alpacas at Krystal Acres. Stroke an Alpaca and then treat yourself with a sweater, coat, shawl, scarf or a beautiful teddy from their gift shop to remind you of the Island adventure.
Find Deadman Bay and learn the history behind the name.
Go fishing on a charter boat.
Take a latte or mocha coffee break. Lotsa places have WiFi if you need an Internet fix.
Do some bird watching, we have an amazing variety.
The San Juan Islands host between 40 to 50 breeding pairs of bald eagles, you can see them from Westcott Bay, American Camp, Lime Kiln Park and while kayaking.
Find your favorite island spot and plan to have your wedding there or renew your wedding vows.
Pick wildflowers for your room or a friend.
Take lots of photos to remember your island adventures.
Bicycle the island to really enjoy the scenery.
Take your children to play at the park at the Fair Grounds and Skateboard Park.
Bring remote control cars or trucks and stage your own races at South Beach.
Play basketball at Sunken Park.
Speak to a stranger and make a new friend.
Make a musical instrument from kelp.
Rent mopeds and cruise the island.
Rent a car and cruise the island.
Go horseback riding at the Horseshu Ranch.
Check out a DVD from your B&B and "kick back" after a day of play.
Plan a romantic dinner at one of Friday Harbor's fine restaurants.
Write an article about your island adventures for a travel magazine.
Visit Roche Harbor just before sunset for the flag lowering ceremony called "The Retirement of the Colors".
Take your kids to the beach for a scavenger hunt for various colored shells, or driftwood that looks like animals.
Buy a new piece of art to take home.
If you're single, meet the locals, lots of them are single too.
Have a beach party! There's nothing like an old fashioned beach party to bring out the "kid" in everyone.
Bring your dog, board it at one of our local kennels (so you can go play at night), and then take it for a "play day" on the beach.
Sit on the rocks on the West side and sketch the poppy covered hillside, or the water and Vancouver Island. You can see Victoria on a clear day.
Choose fresh goodies at the local herb farm to take home for your next gourmet meal.
Wave at the locals, we wave at everyone.
Attend the Children's Festival in September.
Hike up Mt Young and play cards with friends while you enjoy the fresh sea air and beautiful view.
Buy a canvas and paints and make your own art. Try to recreate one of the many old barns, or a rocky shore.
If you're very lucky, you might get to see a "cattle drive," as local ranchers on horseback move their cattle right down the main roads to fresh pastures.
Hop the "inter-island ferry" and visit Shaw, Orcas or Lopez for an afternoon.
Buy a summer home, or become a full-time islander.
Attend the Encampment in July and meet the re-enactors as you learn what life was like on San Juan Island in the mid-19th century.
Test the food at various restaurants and write a San Juan Restaurant Guide for a food magazine.
Play baseball at the field near town.
Get an ice cream cone and sit on a street bench and "people watch".
Go for a moonlight stroll on your favorite beach.
Plan a business retreat and enhance your communication in the relaxed Island atmosphere.
Organize a scavenger hunt at the the beach for your children.
Visit the bowling alley and the Paradise Cafe for surprisingly good food, pool and arcade games.
Send island postcards to your friends and family.
Come to Orca Fest in mid-May.
Collect shells and help your children glue them on a piece of driftwood to take home as a nature collage of your Friday Harbor vacation.
Find a skipping stone and see how many "skips" you can achieve before it sinks into the water.
Go on a guided island tour with our friends at San Juan Transit.
If you see an islander doing some yard work, stop and offer to lend a hand. You might be richly rewarded with island information and stories, and make a new friend to visit on your next trip.
Drop by the Chamber of Commerce's Art Fair in mid-July.
Prepare to go back to the "hustle" of off-island life, but keep your island memories in your heart.
N.B. Things change with time, so please call or otherwise confirm events before you arrive. Please don't hold us responsible if events change or cancel, and especially if links to external web pages don't work.