San Juan Island is a slice of paradise on the Washington coast waiting to be discovered. During your stay at the Tucker House Inn in Friday Harbor, you will be at a prime location for touring the island and seeing all it has to offer. From waterfront views to farmlands to art parks, there are so many beautiful places to view and enjoy during your San Juan Island tour. Whether you choose to embark on your journey via bike, moped, car, or on foot, you will find some truly magical nooks on the island during your stay. Here are 10 of the best places for your self-guided San Juan Island tour!
10 Stops on Your San Juan Island Tour
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American Camp National Park
At the American Camp National Park, you will not only enjoy some gorgeous landscapes, but you will also learn about some interesting San Juan Island history. The American Camp was occupied by the United States Army from 1859 until 1974, housing, among others, George E. Pickett of Civil War fame. You’ll have to make a trip during your San Juan Island tour to learn more!
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Pelindaba Lavender Farm
Feel at peace in a sea of breezy purple at the Pelindaba Lavender Farm. These beautiful fields are a breathtaking and calming sight, definitely making them a premier stop on your San Juan Island tour. The organic products produced from the farm include perfumes, essential oils, skin therapies, and aromatherapy-based stress reliefs. Soothe your senses by breathing in some fresh, local lavender, and purchase some products to take back home with you to provide relaxation long after your vacation has ended.
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Lime Kiln State Park
A great stop on your San Juan Island tour is the Lime Kiln State Park, also known as Whale Watch Park. At this wonderful location, you will be able to see expansive views of the Haro Strait from atop rocky cliffs or from the Lime Kiln Lighthouse. Look for some whale fins in the water or enjoy a picnic in the 36-acre park.
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Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm
View some of your favorite fluffy creatures at the Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm during your self-guided San Juan Island tour. This 80-acre farm has a growing herd of over 70 alpacas, who roam the green pastures and relax in the shade of 100-year-old oaks. Pet some alpacas and visit the on-site country store to purchase an alpaca souvenir!
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English Camp National Park
The English Camp National Park is another sight to visit during your San Juan Island tour. Located on the opposite end of the island as the American Camp National Park, this encampment featured 27 structures, a formal garden, and access to Garrison Bay at the same time that the American Camp was functioning. Among other nuances, both camps almost got involved in a war over a pig!
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Sculpture Park
The SJI Sculpture Park is an artistic site on your San Juan Island tour. Open every day from dawn to dusk, this park features rotating sculptures created by some talented artists. The park was created in 1998 to offer visitors a quality experience of nature and art working in harmony.
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Roche Harbor
A sheltered harbor on the northwest quadrant of San Juan Island, Roche Harbor is a center for transportation, featuring a marina and small airport. In the summertime, the harbor is full of large yachts! At Roche Harbor, you will find a small historic Bed and Breakfast where Teddy Roosevelt once stayed, a small tent city of artists, historic gardens, lime kilns, a chapel overlooking the water, and a mausoleum. This is also a great place to embark on San Juan Island kayaking tours to view the island from a different perspective.
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San Juan Vineyards
The San Juan Vineyards will provide another wonderful location along your San Juan Island tour. This winery and vineyard features some delectable red and white wines created on-site as well as truly gorgeous views. Come enjoy a glass and soak in more of what the San Juan Islands have to offer.
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Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor is home to the Tucker House Inn as well as some delicious restaurants and enjoyable attractions. A commercial center of the San Juan Islands archipelago and the County Seat of the San Juan Islands, Friday Harbor has access to the San Juan Island ferry as well as a world-famous marine biology facility. You will love this quaint San Juan Island hubbub!
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Jackson Beach
Jackson Beach is a wonderful place to discover on your San Juan Island tour. Frequented by locals, Jackson Beach is the ideal space to join in a game of beach volleyball, barbecue on the beach, do some stand-up paddle boarding, or launch a kayak from the boat ramp. You can also peruse the sandy stretch and collect driftwood.
To learn more about where to go and what to do during your San Juan Island tour, download our free vacation guide!
