After your first visit to San Juan Island, you may ask yourself if it's enough to stay at a Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast or if you should open one of your own. This charming Washington town is the perfect destination for people who want to get away from the modern rat race, enjoy a taste of small town America, and still have a wide choice of things to enjoy.
The island of San Juan was once owned by the Hudson Bay Company, which made its name in the fur trade but which ran a salmon cannery here. The town got its name from a man who came to work in the cannery but who stayed to settle. Once a major fruit and vegetable source for the mainland, the town (the county seat) depends on tourism now. Fortunately, it is such a scenic spot that visitors flock to it, especially in the summer.
The town has a permanent population of between 2,000 and 3,000 people, according to census records. The pace is slow; visitors are encouraged to take time to stroll along the beaches, look at the sea and the sky, gaze at the mountains, and take a deep breath of serenity.
Getting to the town involves a ferry, a commercial airplane, a seaplane, or a boat. Once on San Juan, visitors can proceed to their lodging on foot - the town is about two miles square - or by taxi, if they didn't bring their car over on the ferry. There are many kinds of accommodation, and the B&Bs are very popular. Reservations are pretty much essential, with a lot of advance planning for the summer months.
There are quite a few B&Bs in town. One establishment offers one fabulous suite to provide the height of privacy and individual attention. Others have up to seven. Several appear to actually be hotels, but they promise an authentic B&B experience, with comfort, privacy, and gourmet breakfast food.
Some inns have as many as seven guest suites. There are charming Victorian manses and more contemporary houses with modern decor but all the comforts. It's fun to go online and check out the photo galleries that let you see for yourself what each establishment has to offer, like private balconies or kitchenettes. You can have your own private retreat or enter into the home life of your hosts by sharing their living room and patio.
Many places have unobstructed views of the water. One is even on a boat. This cabin cruiser has all the charm and comfort you could ask for; it's just that the bedrooms are below decks while the easy chairs are on top. The marina is a fun place to be - busy but peaceful.
This vacation destination is great for doing as little or as much as you like. You can just sit back and absorb the peace and quiet or get out to see the sights. These include two species of whale, which you might spot from one of the beach or from a boat during a wildlife tour. There's hiking, kayaking, bird watching, and more in the national parks, and shopping, museums, galleries, entertainment, and dining in town.
The island of San Juan was once owned by the Hudson Bay Company, which made its name in the fur trade but which ran a salmon cannery here. The town got its name from a man who came to work in the cannery but who stayed to settle. Once a major fruit and vegetable source for the mainland, the town (the county seat) depends on tourism now. Fortunately, it is such a scenic spot that visitors flock to it, especially in the summer.
The town has a permanent population of between 2,000 and 3,000 people, according to census records. The pace is slow; visitors are encouraged to take time to stroll along the beaches, look at the sea and the sky, gaze at the mountains, and take a deep breath of serenity.
Getting to the town involves a ferry, a commercial airplane, a seaplane, or a boat. Once on San Juan, visitors can proceed to their lodging on foot - the town is about two miles square - or by taxi, if they didn't bring their car over on the ferry. There are many kinds of accommodation, and the B&Bs are very popular. Reservations are pretty much essential, with a lot of advance planning for the summer months.
There are quite a few B&Bs in town. One establishment offers one fabulous suite to provide the height of privacy and individual attention. Others have up to seven. Several appear to actually be hotels, but they promise an authentic B&B experience, with comfort, privacy, and gourmet breakfast food.
Some inns have as many as seven guest suites. There are charming Victorian manses and more contemporary houses with modern decor but all the comforts. It's fun to go online and check out the photo galleries that let you see for yourself what each establishment has to offer, like private balconies or kitchenettes. You can have your own private retreat or enter into the home life of your hosts by sharing their living room and patio.
Many places have unobstructed views of the water. One is even on a boat. This cabin cruiser has all the charm and comfort you could ask for; it's just that the bedrooms are below decks while the easy chairs are on top. The marina is a fun place to be - busy but peaceful.
This vacation destination is great for doing as little or as much as you like. You can just sit back and absorb the peace and quiet or get out to see the sights. These include two species of whale, which you might spot from one of the beach or from a boat during a wildlife tour. There's hiking, kayaking, bird watching, and more in the national parks, and shopping, museums, galleries, entertainment, and dining in town.
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