There’s no shortage of fantastic things to do on San Juan Island, but one of our favorite destinations is Lime Kiln Point State Park. The park offers stunning coastal views and a historic lighthouse, and it’s known as one of the best land-based whale-watching locations in the world! The 41-acre park represents quintessential northwest scenes with rocky cliffs, wooded trails in the shade of windblown trees, and grassy outlooks with picnic benches—all looking out over the sparkling Salish Sea.
Located on the Western edge of San Juan Island, the 1919 Lime Kiln Lighthouse is one of the most popular stops at the park. Open for tours during the summer months; the lighthouse is such a great spot to get that bird’s eye view of the sweeping waters across the Haro Strait into the Cordova Bay of Canada. Lime Kiln Point State Park is also known as Whale Watch Park. This is due to the spectacular water views that commonly include whale tails and porpoise, otter, seal, and sea lion sightings. Visitors to Lime Kiln Lighthouse can check the board for whale sightings and current direction of the pods.
After spending some time at Lime Kiln Point State Park, there’s no better place in the San Juan Islands to relax than our luxurious Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast. Join us at our farm-to-table Coho Restaurant, just a block from our Inn and the perfect meal after enjoying an earlier picnic lunch at the park. Our beautifully appointed guest suites offer the best reprieve and you’ll wake rested to a hot breakfast delivered right to your door. Check out the upcoming availability at our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast and reserve your room today!
Spend the Day at Lime Kiln Point State Park on San Juan Island
Many of the best adventures on San Juan Island include being out in the fresh sea salt air and connecting with nature. This is easy to do at Lime Kiln Point State Park. We suggest enjoying your breakfast in your guest room and then setting out early to see what this park has to offer. Hopefully, you’ll be one of the lucky ones and see a majestic whale show off in the Salish Sea.
Here are our favorite things to do at Lime Kiln Point State Park:
- Lime Kiln Lighthouse Tour and Viewing Platform: The Lime Kiln Point State Park Lighthouse, built in 1919, offers summer tours. It provides a panoramic view of the Salish Sea and extends across Haro Strait to Cordova Bay in Canada. It’s a great first stop on your itinerary at the park.
- Wildlife & Whale Sightings: As one of the best places for whale-watching in the world, the ideal timeframe to see these majestic sea mammals is from May through September. Keep your eyes open for the transient orcas and porpoises and a variety of whales, including grey, humpback, and minke. Learn more about the resident and transient whale pods at the Lime Kiln Point State Park Interpretive Center.
- Kayaking Dead Man’s Cove: This secluded cove is known for its history as a smuggling destination, serving as a hiding spot from the US Customs Department for decades. Kayak here to check out the protected area with peddle beach and tidepools.
- Explore the Trail: The Lime Kile Trailhead for the Upland Trail begins at the north end of the main parking lot. This 1.6-mile trail leads you to the historic Lime Kiln, and here you can learn more about the historic lime quarry operations of the area. You’ll then follow the path to the Lime Kiln Lighthouse and continue towards the rocky shoreline.
- Treasure Hunting on the Beach: The rocky cliffs lead visitors to a diverse landscape of sea life in tide pools and along the shoreline. You’ll most likely see kayakers paddling, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pods in migration.
- The Perfect Picnic: The view of the Lime Kiln Lighthouse on its rocky perch and beautiful sparkling water is spectacular, especially as a backdrop for lunch. There are 12 picnic tables and benches with these views set along the bluffs of Lime Kiln Point State Park. Lucky for our guests, we can also prepare a gourmet picnic lunch for you to take along on your excursion. When you book your stay at our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast, just let us know what kind of add-ons you’d like us to include. Or pop by the Blowhole concession stand at the park!
The Best Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast for San Juan Island getaways
After hiking and kayaking at Lime Kiln Point State Park, there’s no better place to return for a restful evening in than our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast. Get refreshed in your suite and set out on foot to explore the charming downtown area of our maritime town. Pop into locally owned boutiques and shops, grab a latte at one of the many cafes, and plan for dinner at Coho Restaurant—the best place to end your day as a guest at our Inn. Indulge in a farm-to-table dinner, award-winning wines, and scratch-made cocktails, and then you’ll only be steps away from your cozy guest room or suite.
Back at our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast, you’ll love the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Each of our lodging accommodations is unique in size, layout, and design, but all have luxurious amenities, en suite bathrooms, and comfortable beds and seating areas. We offer distinct options for couples traveling with romance in mind, family vacations, or group getaways.
For example, the one-bedroom Roche Harbor Suite (pictured above) offers plenty of privacy and is packed with amenities, including a fully-equipped galley-style kitchen with tile floors and countertops, a living room with a fireplace and queen sleeper sofa, a private bedroom with queen feather-topped bed, and private two-person hot tub and barbecue grill off the back deck. Everything you need for a fantastic getaway to San Juan Island. Book your lodging at our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast today!
