Diggin Around...In the Backyard

The town of Friday Harbor, one mile square, became incorporated in 1909. The site for the town was a sheep pasture with a freshwater stream which ran down what is now the main street of town (Spring Street) into the deep sheltered bay below. Our real estate office is one of the oldest buildings in town, a former saloon.  Check out this old photo.  Friday Harbor is the largest "town" in the San Juan Islands, and it is the only town which also has a ferry terminal, so it is easy to visit without a car.  It also has a community college and the University of Washington marine labs. The town has the flavor of the historical fishing village that it was, and the tourist destination that it has become.  Our office has changed, too.

Today the town is still a friendly small place, with more to offer.  Many small shops and galleries provide items unique to the islands or the artisans that live here. It’s a popular place to visit. People like to visit the lavender store and fields of Pelindaba. There are excellent restaurants and several bed and breakfasts.  Many people come to see the Orca whales which forage off our western coast or to visit the whale museum.  The county seat since 1875, Friday Harbor has the courthouse, sheriff’s office, and associated services. This year will see the completion of a brand new hospital on the island.  Today there are enough facilities and amenities that the island resident rarely has to go off island to find what he needs.

This dog, named Duncan, parked himself in the sunny doorway of Griffin Bay Books. One had to step over his body to enter the store.

How to get to Friday Harbor? Check out the nice array of choices presented on the Chamber of Commerce page. If you are looking for a place to rent or a hotel or bed and breakfast, check out the Island Sites page. Or see our San Juan Island Info page.

Diggin Around...At the Parks

San Juan Island has the only official whale-watching park in the United States. This is Lime Kiln Point State Park, close to Deadman's Bay. There are lovely paths and great views close to a scenic lighthouse with 2,500 feet of shoreline. The dramatic Orca whales, feeding off the kelpbeds nearby from June to September, may pass by shore while you are at the park. It's always a thrill to see their fins emerge and hear their heavy breathing!

San Juan Island has two huge national parks- British Camp and American Camp. The parks are named camps because they were the location of the encampments for the British and American soldiers who occupied San Juan Island around the time of the Civil War. Both countries were arguing about which one should own San Juan Island, but there was no real war. There was even a military road to deliver supplies between the camps. To settle the dispute, a German Kaiser was asked to arbitrate. He decided that San Juan would be part of the United States. So it came about that San Juan Island was the last soil in the nation to be occupied by the foreign troops. The British marines finally left on November 25, 1872. There are miles of beaches and wild flora and fauna at both national parks, beautiful trails and lovely vistas. British Camp is at lovely wooded Garrison Bay, and American Camp is at the south end of the island, including sunny, popular South Beach. These camps are a treasure, but there is no camping! For more information about the national parks, see their own web page.                                                                                                          

Where can you camp? You can camp on the west side of the island at San Juan County Park. There are 18 campsites, but no hook-ups or showers. There is also a group site at this park, which is a hang-out for the local wild turkeys. Really. You can make reservations at 360-378-8420. They have a boat launch at San Juan County Park which is located near Andrews Bay, a quiet part of the Haro Straits. Locals enjoy seeing the sunset or watching for whales from this property. Another place to camp is at Lakedale, a private campground on freshwater lakes close to Roche Harbor Road. Call 1-800-617-2267 for reservations. There are 82 acres with 125 tent sites including RV hook-up sites and group sites, 12 bike sites, and showers. You can rent boats and equipment there. There is a small convenience store and swimming beaches.

Smaller parks are a delight to visit. Next to the marina in downtown Friday Harbor there is a lovely waterfront park. At the top of the ferry lane there is Sunken Park, a favorite for basketball pick-up games. The Fairgrounds on Argyle have a nice children’s play area and just a wee bit further is sandy Jackson Beach park and lagoon. Other favorites are the Ruben Tarte Memorial Park off of San Juan Drive and Eagle Cove on the south end of the island.  These kids in the photo above were lucky enough to have their very own beach at one of the outer islands which have a marine park, Sucia.

Cruising       

In or close to Friday Harbor: 
Jensens Shipyard (a bit further) 360-378-4343
Port of Friday Harbor (the real thing. Customs is here) 360-378-2688

On the Northern Side:
Roche Harbor is a place where you can step back in time to the Victorian era. The marina here is world famous and the atmosphere in the summer is often punctuated by the visits of therich and famous. Every American and Canadian enjoys the corny flag ceremony at sunset. Call 360- 378-2155 for this resort.

Obedience Classes

This well behaved dog and owner take a sunny break across from our office on the bottom of Spring Street . Dogs are expected to be well behaved on San Juan Island. If they are, they may be taken to the beach or to the dogpark on Mullis Street for a romp.   If they are not, their owners may even require them to attend an obedience class with other canine misfits. There are no such classes for people, however!

Island Expections:  As a reward for reading every last word of The Digs, here is a  list of people's expectations of visitors to San Juan. If  you follow these suggestions you will be looked upon as a an Islander!

• Do not act as if you are in a hurry, even if you are.

• Do not get off the ferry and walk up the middle of the road as if it were not a street for cars also. This happens often.

• Do not come to San Juan dressed in a suit unless you are an attorney or going to a wedding or a funeral.

• Do not apologize for being from California, many islanders come from California.

• There's elbow room here! Do not tailgate people on the road or with your grocery cart.

• Keep your boats a great distance away from any Orca you are lucky enough to see. Use the telephoto lens on your camera or your binoculars.

• Leave your jet skis at home! They are illegal here.

• It is considered impolite to pass by an island dog without saying hello.

Ready to look for island property with an experienced Realtor?us or check out our real estate page, which explains how real estate works on San Juan Island. For more information about San Juan Island, visit the links at the bottom of this page.