The Northwest is known for its bounty of farm-fresh produce, local proteins, seafood, and foraged ingredients. Those who are culinary-minded love a trip to the islands for farm-to-table dining, wine tasting, and San Juan Island farm tours. You can taste your way through the beautiful scenic byways and find locally made products to bring back to the city. Our small island community is committed to supporting our local farms and artisans whenever possible.
Each fall, we “Savor the San Juans” with a long list of events celebrating the local farms with farmers markets, film festivals, brew fests, specialty San Juan Island farm tours, harvest dinners, wine and spirits tastings, and more. Autumn is also one of the most beautiful times of year to visit the San Juan Islands; as the heat and crowds of summer have thinned, your hikes will be peppered with colorful fall foliage and your plates full of fresh fall harvest vegetables.
If you’re planning on touring all of the best local farms and wineries, you’ll want to spend more than one day on the island. Our Friday Harbor bed and breakfast is one of the best places to stay, with an array of lodging options for couples, families, and solo travelers. We provide a farm-fresh, scratch-made breakfast each morning of your stay, delivered hot to your door. We support local farms whenever possible! Join us to savor the San Juans and book your room today!
San Juan Island Farm Tours & More Places for Culinary Exploration
A big part of an adventure to San Juan Island will be the culinary options, planning delicious dinners, visiting the nearby farms, and tasting locally grown wines. There are plenty of things to do on San Juan Island for those interested in cooking, farming, and so much more. As a guest at our Friday Harbor bed and breakfast, you’ll be in the perfect central location to head out and explore.
Here are the best San Juan Island farm tours and more fun things to do:
- The Farm at Krystal Acres: This charming farm offers picturesque landscapes and friendly alpacas grazing in the pastures. Guests can stroll the farm and learn about these eco-friendly animals and their sustainable fiber. The farm also features a store where visitors can purchase various alpaca-made products, including the softest knitwear, home goods, and gifts.
- Sweet Earth Farms: This 20-acre family-run farm is dedicated to balance, harmony, and sustainability. It practices regenerative agriculture to improve soil health and support its diverse range of plants and animals, including chickens, ducks, and kune kune pigs. The farm features a fruit orchard, herb garden, and vegetable and berry production, all adhering to organic and sustainable methods.
- Aurora Farms: This farm is known for its free-range chickens, pasture-raised lamb, and beef. This is one of the best San Juan Island farm tours to get an up-close look at the benefits of small-scale meat production.
- San Juan Vineyards: This tasting room, housed in a converted schoolhouse, offers a comprehensive tasting of locally grown island and Eastern Washington grapes. It also has a pretty white chapel for weddings and events.
- San Juan Island Distillery: This local distillery is a favorite for spirits and brandies made from island-grown apples. They brew in micro-batches, so be sure to grab a few bottles to bring home with you.
- Madrone Cellars & Cider: Situated on a private 40-acre farm, the owners renovated two historic farm buildings, where the magic happens! You can book a private tour and tasting at the farm or visit the tasting room in Friday Harbor Wednesday through Sunday.
- Westcott Bay Shellfish: While the Net Shed & Tide Tables are known as the best places to get lunch on San Juan Island, Westcott Bay began as a shellfish farm. You can book a farm tour to learn more about the process and likely have a freshly shucked oyster or two.
- San Juan Island Farmers Market: If you’re visiting the island from April to October, you’ll want to stop by our farmers market. Located in the historic Brickworks building, just two blocks from the ferry and our Friday Harbor bed and breakfast, the market offers fresh produce, artisan goods and crafts, and so much more.
The Best Restaurant on San Juan Island in Friday Harbor
After you’ve savored the day on the best San Juan Island farm tours, you’ll want to try the local produce, proteins, and wines firsthand, and Coho Restaurant in Friday Harbor offers a farm-to-table experience to a tee. The menu highlights the freshest local ingredients from the San Juan Islands, using dynamic and modern techniques that reflect seasonal availability. Guests can choose from a carefully crafted four-course tasting menu or select à la carte options, all designed to showcase the region’s flavors and thoughtfully crafted by our skilled culinary team.
In addition to its exceptional cuisine, Coho Restaurant is known for its curated wine list, which features selections from Washington, Oregon, and California alongside international bottles. The restaurant also hosts special culinary events throughout the year, including wine dinners and holiday meals, which offer a memorable dining experience to residents and visitors alike.
Coho Restaurant is the sister property to our Friday Harbor bed and breakfast, which is just a block away. There are so many things to do on San Juan Island that you’d be better off making it a multi-night getaway and staying at our Inn! You can spend your day touring the local farms, wine tasting, and hiking. After a lovely dinner, you can retreat to your private guest room with all the needed amenities for a comfortable stay. Book your Friday Harbor lodging today!
