Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands, Washington Activities, Parks, and Museums

Whale Watching Kayaking Tours Scenic Flight over the San Juans	Golf ~ Museums ~ Parks ~ Wildlife ~ Shopping and Dining ~ Entertainment
Top of Page Wildlife If you like wildlife, San Juan island is a dream come true. There are no man eating sharks to attack you, and no lions, tigers or bears (oh my!) to guard your children from. There are no poisonous snakes. Our small black tail deer are abundant, so use caution while driving at dusk and dawn. You might also meet up with raccoons, rabbits, or red fox, as you hike in different areas. I know it is tempting, but please don't feed the wildlife, you'll just encourage pesky behavior that will get them in trouble. We do have hundreds of species of birds. Some types of birds that you can spot are: great blue herons, trumpeter swans, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, finches, peregrine falcons, ospreys, a variety of hawks, owls, and of course, both bald and golden eagles. There are more nesting pairs of bald eagles in San Juan County (89 at last count) than there are in any other county in the state - and Washington has more bald eagles than any of the other lower 48 states. Female eagles are larger than males, and an adult female bald eagle can have a wing span of six or seven feet. Our waters are home to porpoise, seals, stellar sea lions, and playful otters. There are three families (pods) of Orca that can be found in the islands in summer. They range in size from about 17 whales in K-pod to more than 50 in L-pod. There are approximately 15 resident minke whales. Gray whales are not a common sight, but sometimes one of these leviathans will travel through our waters on its way to the open ocean. The water temperature averages 45 degrees and is a favorite scuba destination for cold water divers.You can explore huge kelp beds, or caverns where the world's largest octopus (the Pacific) lives. You can see giant sea anemones, scallops, and an amazing variety of fish. A warning: if you are not used to diving in these waters, please use a guide that is. We have lost divers that were not used to these types of waters and currents. Top of Page Golf & Tennis San Juan Golf & Country Club is a privately owned facility that is also open to the public. With a beautiful golf course, great food, and a new clubhouse, anyone can enjoy the special feeling of being a member for the day. The playing experience features a pristine setting and views of the harbor and bay. Also available are a driving range, practice greens, hand & power carts, club rentals, tennis, and lounge. Seasonal greens fees (5/1 - 10/15) are $23 for 9 holes and $40 for 18 holes. Contact the Discovery Inn to reserve Tee-times for your visit. Top of Page Museums The San Juan Historical Museum is the most northwestern museum in the continental United States. It is located on the James King homestead which is over 100 years old. The museum complex consists of the original farmhouse, the first county jail, a turn-of-the-century log cabin, barn, milk house, and carriage house. The Resource Center is open to the public and includes historic photographs, an extensive oral history collection, a wealth of historic documents, and temporary exhibits. Books on local history, cards, toys and items from local artisans are all on sale in the museum store. Admission is not charged for visiting just the store. The Museum has many activities throughout the year. Some of these include: a spring lecture series, the Young Pioneers program for children, the Pig War Picnic / Bite of San Juan, and living history presentations. Admission: Adults $2.00, Children 6-18 $1.00, Under 5 Free. Hours: May through September: Thursday through Saturday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. October through April: Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The Whale Museum aids in increasing the public's understanding and appreciation of the marine environment with special emphasis on whales. For thousands of years the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest have been the summer feeding grounds for several pods of Orca. Pods J, K and L, known as the Southern Resident Community, are generally found in the San Juan Islands/southern Vancouver Island area during the months of May-September. Each Orca can be identified by the shape and size of the fin on its back (dorsal fin) and the gray and white markings beneath and behind the fin (saddle patch). Be sure and ask about the Orca Adoption Program. Not only does it make a great gift, the funds raised through this program help support ongoing field studies of the Orcas and other marine animals in the area. The Whale Museum's Online Store offers a variety of books, audio and video tapes, t-shirts, toys, and more. Hours: Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day - 9 am to 5 pm. Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend - 10 am to 5 pm. Admission: Free for children under 5, $5 General, $4 Seniors, $2 ages 5-18 and College Students with current I.D. Top of Page Parks More than eight miles of trail through forest, seashore and prairie have been cut at both American and English Camps. The trails are dirt or mowed grass. American Camp National Park is located on the southern tip of the island, about six miles southeast of downtown Friday Harbor. It contains 1220 acres with five miles of beach – day use only, picnic tables, fire pits, and restrooms. Two historic buildings survive, along with the remains of an earthen gun emplacement (or redoubt). Other building sites are identified, including the locations of the Hudson's Bay Company farm, the old town of San Juan, and the American Camp cemetery. The Visitor Center exhibits focus on archaeology and daily life in both camps. Except for federal holidays, the center is open Thursday through Sunday, fall, winter and spring, and daily during the summer season. A ranger is on duty to provide information and a laser-disc program is available (close-captioned for hearing impaired) that provides an overview of the Pig War and joint occupation. A self-guiding history foot trail, about a mile long, begins in the American Camp parking lot. Booklets for the walk are available at the trailhead in the visitor center parking area. Portions of the American Camp self-guided history walk are wheelchair accessible, as are the restrooms and the Visitor Center. Hikes: Jakle's Lagoon Trail takes you 1.5 miles along the old roadbed where you can enjoy the quiet of a Douglas fir canopy. This wooded area shelters deer and many types of birds. Mt. Finlayson Trail ia a 3 mile loop taking you to the top of Mt. Finlayson where you can see Mt. Baker to the east, Mt. Rainier to the southeast, the Olympic Mountains to the south, and British Columbia to the west. The South Beach walk takes you 2 miles along the longest public beach on the island where shore birds abound. During low tides, observe tide pool life along the rocky shoreline toward Grandma's Cove. The Self-guiding trail is 1.25 miles along the trail that starts in the Visitor Center parking lot. Walkers are advised to use caution as rabbits have dug many holes in the parade ground and redoubt areas. American Camp Visitor Center: Summer (May 30-September 1) - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily. In fall, winter, and spring it is open Thursday-Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. English Camp National Park lies on tree-sheltered Garrison Bay, about nine miles northwest of downtown Friday Harbor. It contains 530 acres, 2 miles of shoreline, day use only picnic tables, restrooms, and a dinghy dock. Four historic buildings and a small formal garden have been restored. The barracks has the same laser disc program as American Camp. Buildings are open daily during the summer season. Booklets for the self-guided history walk are available at the trailhead, just off the parking area. Campfires are not allowed at English Camp. Hikes: Bell Point Trail is a 2 mile loop fairly level trail to Bell Point for a view of Westcott Bay. If you like to harvest shellfish, check with the park ranger at the visitor center for locations, daily limits and red tide warnings. Young Hill Trail is 1.25 miles of fairly steep trail up 650 feet to the top of Young Hill for a panoramic view of the island's northwest corner. The English Camp cemetery is along the way, holding the remains of six Royal Marines. The English Formal Garden lies between the officers' quarters sites and the English camp parade ground. The camp's second commanding officer had it built for his family to remind them of home. English Camp Visitor Center: Summer (May 30-September 1) 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily. Closed in the fall, winter, and spring. San Juan County Park offers over-night camping by a pebbly beach, restrooms, drinking water, a boat launch, but no RV hookups. Many choose to go snorkeling and scuba diving near here. Lime Kiln Point State Park is located at on the west side of of on 36.32 acres with 2,550 feet of waterfront. The park was acquired from the Federal Government in 1984. The facilities include 2 vault toilets, 11 parking spaces, 10 picnic sites, a lighthouse, and a viewing platform. It was developed as a day use park and opened in 1985. It is a great place for whale watching, picnicking and hiking. A few more points of interest are: Cattle Point Site – Day use only, picnic tables, privies with a restored Coast Guard Radio Station. Egg Lake – Day use only, no facilities, dock/launch ramp, great for fishing. Jackson Beach – Day use only, privy, launch ramp, picnic tables, sandy beach and volley ball courts. Reuben Tarte Picnic Area – Day use only, no facilities – very secluded. Sportsmans Lake – Day use only, no facilities, launch ramp nearby. Turn Point Park – Day use only, no facilities, kayak launching and canoes only. Eagle Cove Beach – Day use only, no facilities. Lakedale Resort – Day use only, open to public (fee), fresh water lakes for swimming, fishing or canoeing. Sunken Park – In Friday Harbor, a smaller park with a gazebo, basketball court and picnic area. Top of Page Shopping and Dining You won't find chain stores or all night restaurants here, but you will find a vast array of dining choices and menus. There are a multitude of galleries and shops offering everything from books by local authors, to clothing, crafts, paintings, sculptures, jewelry and more - much of it created by local artists. Mid-April through mid-October, our local Farmer's Market offers locally grown vegetables, flowers, plants, honey and more on Saturdays (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the County Courthouse parking lot. Top of Page Entertainment The Royal is our double screen movie theater. The San Juan Community Theatre is the performing arts center for the island. Many of the bars also have entertainment or karaoke. You can always bring your own instruments and have a beach party too. See our Events page for some of the fun offered in 2008.
Advance reservations are suggested for all activities and lodging.
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