The San Juan Islands Scenic Byway features two of the four ferry-served San Juan Islands – San Juan Island and Orcas Island. Getting to the islands is half the fun, and most visitors arrive aboard a Washington State Ferry, which is officially the marine portion of the Byway. Discover something new around every bend on San Juan Island – lighthouses, sculpture park, rows of lavender, walkable beaches, historic Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor….and maybe even spy orca whales from shore.
San Juan Island Scenic Byway Tour/Drive
DAY – 1
This one-square-mile, walkable, historic seaport is the hub of San Juan Island. Washington State Ferries, passenger ferries, seaplanes, and private boats come and go in the lively little harbor.
The Whale Museum opened to the public in 1979 as the first museum in the country devoted to a species living in the wild. This one-of-a-kind museum promotes stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research.
This art museum has a cool, contemporary, two-story glass atrium to show off major exhibits to passersby. It offers rotating exhibitions through three galleries, with approximately 8-10 exhibitions per year of fine visual art, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, and more, from the Islands, region, and around the world
Take a step back in time at this museum, the home on the former James King farm, homesteaded in the 1880s.
DAY – 2
This park was created in 1966 based upon an idea – that individuals and nations can solve their problems peacefully without resorting to violence.
Pelindaba Lavender is a premier grower of lavender plants, distiller of lavender essential oils, and handcrafter of lavender-based products.
Lime Kiln Point State Park is considered one of the best places in the world to view whales from a land-based facility.
The San Juans largest herd of alpacas, and ever-growing at more than 50, enjoy the gentle slopes of sunny pastures and the shade of massive 100-year oaks on the west side of the island.
DAY – 3
Founded in 1996, San Juan Vineyard is a producer of award-winning, estate-grown wines — Siegerrebe and Madeleine Angevine.
The San Juan Islands Sculpture Park is home to over 150 unique outdoor art creations by world-renowned sculptors.
Once the largest lime and cement company west of the Mississippi, today’s historic Roche Harbor is a popular seaside resort for land-lovers and boaters who want to step back in time.
This sister park to American Camp takes you back to the 1860s when San Juan Island was jointly occupied by the American and British Military for 12 years during the peaceful “Pig War.”
