What to do on San Juan Island during a Winter Getaway

Winter is spectacular on San Juan Island. The Olympic Rain Shadow allows for crystal clear, sunny days to make you feel at times like you have landed in the Caribbean, but without the palm trees. Other times when the winds are howling and the rains are gushing down, you want to find a cozy place to sit by the fire with a glass of wine and watch the storm. There are so many fun things to do here in Winter—whether traveling as a couple, with your family or on a solo escape. A San Juan Island Winter getaway will get you the stress-free, calm, affordable, friendly island time you deserve.

When the weather outside is frightful, walkable Friday Harbor lays at your feet:

Treat yourself to a self-care day. Spend time in our warm pool house, take a swim, sauna and a hot tub. Pamper yourself at our Spa with a massage, body treatment or facial. You’ll feel like a new person.
Be cultural. Visit San Juan Island’s Museum of Art, just a stone’s throw from the Earthbox Inn & Spa. Check out the Whale Museum, a fantastic natural history museum, the only one in the country to be devoted to a species living in the wild. Catch a movie at the historic Palace Theater or a show at the San Juan Island Community Theatre.

Bar-hop. Have appis, dinner and dessert at different places. Go bowling at Paradise Lanes, play a round of pool at the China Pearl. Watch a game at Haley's Sports Bar & Grill.
Go small town shopping in cute boutiques, unique galleries and studios. Don’t forget the Pelindaba Lavender store for distinct island made gifts and goodies.

Earthbox Inn & Spa staff in Friday Harbor

Here comes the Sun, are you wearing layers?

Go hike the island’s highest mountains and have the world at your feet. Climb Mt Young or Mt Grant, watch Bald Eagles elegantly ride the thermals above old growth Douglas Firs, see Washington’s volcanos and the snow covered Olympic Mountains in the distance.
Make a fire on South Beach, watch every seabird you can imagine, as well as otters, foxes, seals, sea lions and the occasional Orca whale.

Go mushrooming and look for Prickly Pear cactus, the only native cactus this far north, in the forest and on the cliffs above Lime Kiln State Park.
Go fishing on secluded Egg Lake or Sportsman Lake
Stroll around the 20 acres San Juan Sculpture Park, nestled around beautiful Westcott Bay, before exploring historic Roche Harbor Resort, it’s shops and restaurants.