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100 Things to Do on San Juan Island!
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  1. Take a deep breath and feel the change in pace... you are now on "Island Time".
  2. If you haven't already made reservations for activities and lodging, do so now.
  3. Visit the Whale Museum.
  4. Prepare a picnic and visit Lime Kiln Point State Park (also known as Whale Watch Park) and look for Orca and minke whales.
  5. Enjoy a play or concert at the San Juan Community Theatre.
  6. Stroll through Westcott Bay Reserve, our 19 Acre Sculpture Garden at Roche Harbor.
  7. Visit the 1892 Community Church overlooking San Juan Valley.
  8. Visit the Open Air Market and other shops and galleries downtown.
  9. Browse the docks for your dream boat.
  10. Get fresh shrimp or fish on the dock at Friday Harbor Seafood.
  11. Observe sea creatures in a tide pool at False Bay.
  12. Take a leisurely drive and look for deer, rabbit, eagle, wild turkey, trumpeter swan, raccoon, llama, alpaca and other critters.
  13. Visit the San Juan County Historical Museum.
  14. Play tennis, the outdoor courts are at the High School.
  15. Get an early start and watch the sunrise from Jackson Beach.
  16. Charter a scenic flight over all the islands.
  17. Take a wildlife cruise to see seals, whales and more.
  18. Explore San Juan County Park and Small Pox Bay.
  19. Tour Pelindaba Lavender Farms. Organic fresh cut lavender and many handcrafted lavender products.
  20. Get a book at one of our local bookstores and lounge on a sunny grassy knoll.
  21. Play a round of golf at the San Juan Golf Course.
  22. Observe oyster farming and processing at Westcott Bay Sea Farms. Oysters, Mussels, and clams are sold nationwide.
  23. Visit the local vineyard and their wine tasting room. Gift shop open seasonally 11-6.
  24. On Saturdays visit our popular Farmer's Market for fresh vegetables, flowers, plants, honey and more - from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the County Courthouse parking lot. (mid April - mid October, weather permitting)
  25. Pamper yourself at one of the island Spas with a Body Massage, manicure or pedicure.
  26. Tour the Officers Formal Gardens at English Camp, and hike the trails for a great view.
  27. Ask about the history of the Mausoleum then take a hike to see it. The setting is beautiful and steeped in history and myth.
  28. Catch a first run movie at our local theater.
  29. Learn something new - take sailing or kayak lessons.
  30. Scuba dive! Meet a buddy here or bring your own.
  31. Take your children to fly kites and barbecue at South Beach.
  32. Attend the San Juan County Fair in August.
  33. Visit Limekiln Lighthouse.
  34. Try to recognize places in movies filmed on San Juan Island, like Free Willy and Practical Magic.
  35. Go fishing on one of our lakes.
  36. People watch at Water Front Park.
  37. Play pool or watch sports on big screen T.V.'s at one of the local taverns.
  38. Take a pretty stroll down to Jakles Lagoon and enjoy the privacy of a little beach.
  39. Pick blackberries in summer, they are everywhere, huge and free.
  40. Join us for our 4th of July Parade, Street Dance, Fireworks and Pig War Barbecue.
  41. Rent a boat at Lakedale.
  42. Ask the local ranchers about their many types of stock. Everything from Shetland sheep, miniature horses, and Scottish Highland cattle to llamas, alpacas and ostrich.
  43. Visit the Alpacas at Krystal Acres. Stroke an Alpaca and then treat yourself with a sweater, coat, shawl, scarf or a beautiful teddy from their giftshop to remind you of the Island adventure.
  44. Find Deadman Bay and learn the history behind the name.
  45. Catch some of the garage sales to meet locals and find a bargain.
  46. Charter a fishing boat.
  47. Take a latte or mocha break.
  48. Do some bird watching, we have an amazing variety.
  49. Find your favorite island spot and plan to have your wedding there or renew your wedding vows.
  50. Pick wildflowers for your room or a friend.
  51. Take lots of photos to remember your island adventures.
  52. Bicycle the island to really take in the scenery.
  53. Take your kids to play at the Childrens Park or Skateboard Park at the County Fair Grounds.
  54. Bring remote control cars or trucks and stage your own races at South Beach.
  55. Share the experience of adopting a whale with your family.
  56. Play basketball at Sunken Park.
  57. Speak to a stranger and make a new friend.
  58. Make a musical instrument from kelp.
  59. Rent mopeds and cruise the island.
  60. Take your kids to the Toy Box for a new toy to commemorate their visit.
  61. Rent a DVD Player and movies and "kick back" after a day of play.
  62. Plan a romantic dinner at Duck Soup Inn, Vinnie's or many other fine restauraunts.
  63. Write an article about your island adventures for a travel magazine.
  64. Visit Roche Harbor just before sunset for the flag lowering ceremony called "The Retirement of the Colors".
  65. Take your kids to the beach to collect various colored shells, or driftwood that looks like animals.
  66. Walk the trails of history at American Camp, and explore the beaches.
  67. Buy a new piece of art to take home.
  68. If you're single, meet the locals, lots of them are single too.
  69. Have a beach party! There's nothing like an old fashioned beach party to bring out the "kid" in everyone.
  70. Bring your dog, board it at one of our local kennels (so you can go play at night), and then take it for a "play day" on the beach.
  71. Take your "Hunny" out for a romantic dinner - there are many different restaurants and cuisines to choose from.
  72. Sit on the rocks on the West side and sketch the poppy covered hillside, or the water and Vancouver Island.
  73. Choose fresh goodies at the local herb farm to take home for your next gourmet meal.
  74. Wave at the locals, we wave at everyone.
  75. Attend the Children's Festival in September.
  76. Hike up Mt Young and play cards with friends while you enjoy the fresh sea air and beautiful view.
  77. Bring a canvas and paints and make your own art. Try to recreate one of the many old barns, or a rocky shore.
  78. If you're very lucky, you might get to see a "cattle drive," as local ranchers on horseback move their cattle right down the main roads to fresh pastures.
  79. Hop the "inter-island ferry" and visit Shaw, Orcas or Lopez for an afternoon.
  80. Buy a summer home, or become a full-time islander.
  81. Attend the Encampment and meet the reenactors as you learn what life was like on San Juan Island in the mid-19th century.
  82. Test the food at various restaurants and write a San Juan Restaurant Guide for a food magazine.
  83. Play baseball at the field near town.
  84. Take one of the guided island tours.
  85. Try spotting rabbits and foxes on the way to South Beach.
  86. Play volleyball at Jackson Beach.
  87. Enjoy an ice cream cone while you sit on a street bench and "people watch".
  88. Go for a moonlight stroll on your favorite beach.
  89. Plan a business retreat and enhance your communication in the relaxed Island atmosphere.
  90. Organize a scavenger hunt at the the beach for your children.
  91. Visit the bowling alley!
  92. Order a pizza to go and enjoy the sunset.
  93. Send island postcards to your friends and family.
  94. Come to Orca Fest in mid-May.
  95. Collect shells and help your children glue them on a piece of driftwood to take home as a nature collage of your Friday Harbor vacation.
  96. Find a skipping stone and see how many "skips" you can achieve before it sinks into the water.
  97. Go on a bus tour with our friends at San Juan Transit.
  98. If you see an islander doing some yard work, stop and offer to lend a hand. You might be richly rewarded with island information and stories, and make a new friend to visit on your next trip.
  99. Drop by the Chamber of Commerce's Art Fair in mid-July.
  100. Prepare to go back to the "hustle" of off-island life, but keep your island memories in your heart.