20 Things to do on San Juan Island which will leave the World a better Place

Are you feeling it as well? The urge to do better, take up less room, help more? Over this last year, I have often found myself calling my commerce, “support”. Sometimes a bit ironically, when I picked up a to-go order of a cold, greasy something which was definitely not worth its price. But also without any irony, when I made deliberate choices on how to spend my money and attention. It’s all so fragile. I have discovered, over this last year, by treading a little lighter, being a little kinder and having a tad more patience, I can make my world a better place. Come join me.

1) Plan your trip, read up on where you are going, make reservations and stay flexible while we remain amidst a pandemic surge in a climatically very challenging year

2) Create a sunset beach picnic with only island-made ingredients (wine and beer totally counts, FYI...)

3) Watch whales from shore at the whale watching park

4) Always bring a trash bag to the beach and pick up plastic and Styrofoam washed ashore

5) Take one of our complimentary beach cruiser bikes to ride to lunch or to the nearest beach

6) Bring a reusable coffee mug and water bottle on your visit

7) Be kind and generous to the people serving you

8) Choose a sit-down meal on real plates with yummy cocktails in fancy glassware over incurring more to-go waste

Guests at the Earthbox Inn & Spa on San Juan Island get to check out Bikes for free

9) Buy a book from a local author and read it on top of Mount Young

10) Watch for bikers and share the road

11) Donate to a local cause near and dear to your heart, like the Friday Harbor Whale Museum or the San Juan Preservation Trust

12) Buy an ice-cream waffle cone for the kids behind you in line

13) Keep your pup on a leash and pick up after her/him

14) Support local farmers by shopping at the farmer’s market, farm stands and the San Juan Island Food Coop

15) Sightsee San Juan Island on board the fun Friday Harbor Jolly Trolley and leave your car on the mainland

16) Conserve precious drinking water by taking short showers and reusing your towels

17) Stroll the Pelindaba Lavender Farm and learn how lavender can be an excellent replacement for many toxic household chemicals

18) Always keep at least 75 feet away from the cute foxes on the American Camp Prairie and never feed any wild animals

19) When ordering fish in a restaurant, always choose wild caught and local

20) Explore Friday Harbor’s seven galleries in walking distance to the ferry and buy a piece of art which speaks to you