A Postcard from San Juan Island, Washington
Bald eagles above, orca whales below me as my kayak glides through the blue-green water. Sun, fun and then back to my own place on the island. Perfect.
About San Juan Island, Washington
The most popular residential destination of San Juan Island chain is San Juan Island itself. From your vacation home here, you can easily explore the other islands such as Orcas, Lopez and Shaw. San Juan Island itself has the largest, most hip town, Friday Harbor, offering great shops and recreation providers. However, it’s the access to sun, sea and mountains that draw people to get second homes here. San Juan Island has it all. With two national parks and a state park, four lakes and the other islands a ferry ride away, there is no limit to the exploring you can do.
San Juan Island is particularly attractive for bicycling, as it is flatter than the other islands. Summers do have more visitors on the island than the cooler months, making more of a reason to have your own place, so you can come and go whenever you want. It’s also easier to get to and fro by ferry if you don’t have to take a car across. If you leave a second car at your second home, you beat the summer commute.
Only three hours from Seattle, your home on San Juan Island offers the perfect get-away for a long weekend, longer vacation, or, how about a sabbatical? If you love outdoor, natural living, the beauty that is on San Juan Island and its neighbors can’t be found anywhere else. In terms of incredible value for the price, San Juan Island is superb.
Local History
San Juan Island is the sit of a border dispute between the USA and the British, called the Pig War of 1859. (named because the only casualty was a pig, which set off the dispute.) Both the USA and Britain claimed and continued joint ownership of the island until 1871, when the Canadian-US border was dawn to the west of the island. Today, the American Camp and British Camp are set aside as national historic sites. In the late 19th century, San Juan Island hosted numerous lime kilns, creating some pollution which as since been cleaned up, creating new beauty on the island.
An Average Lifestyle in San Juan Island, Washington
Vacation life is what draws people here. There is so much beauty and outdoor recreation, with amazing solitude and stillness that people tend to be a little less social and more private than elsewhere. This is a place to really come and unwind, and many choose very private home locations to do just that. Enjoying a latte in town is probably the best way to meet people. If you are looking for a big social scene, this is probably not your destination. However, if what you want is pristine nature, you won’t miss.
Housing
Options: Wow… 11 acres and a private beach for only $475,000 is an example of the kind of privacy available. Good deals can still be had on land, either golf or water. Developed homes on the water, with private dock and 2 acres can cost $3.9 million. There’s lots in between. Great place with 2 acres, almost 3000 sq. feet is in the $600,000’s. 75% of the homes are seasonally occupied. In the county as a whole, only about 2/3rd of the land parcels are developed. Options include mostly single-family, and some apartments and condos.
Things to Do in San Juan Island
Sea Kayaking around the islands
Visit Lime Kiln Point State Park
Visit American Camp and British Camp historic sites
Bicycling around the island
Visit Westcott Bay Sea Farm for oysters
Whale Watching by boat or from Lime Kiln State Park
Fishing for King Salmon at Cattle Point and Eagle Point
Scuba Diving
Freshwater fishing at Egg Lake and Sportsman Lake
Birdwatching
Sailing
Camping
Golf
Cultural Activities in San Juan Island
Friday Harbor Whale Museum
Historical Mausoleum at Roche Harbor Resort
San Juan Historical Museum
Dixieland Jazz Festival
San Juan Community Theater and Arts
Island Stage Left
Art Galleries
Near-By Excursions
Orcas Island
Lopez Island
Location
Islands in Puget Sound off the coast of Washington, near the Canadian border.
Elevation
Sea level
Size
55.3 sq miles
Distance to other major cities
Anacortes, Washington: 28.1 miles
Seattle, Washington: 79.1 miles
Getting To San Juan Island, Washington
Washington State Ferries, year round, from Anacortes 90 minutes north of Seattle.
Victoria Clipper Ferry from Seattle (passenger only, no cars)
Weather
Protected by the surrounding ocean, and mountain rains, there is much less rain than in Seattle. 247 days of sun. This blocks the cold weather systems as well, giving it moderate temperature all four seasons.
Annual Average Temperature: Max 80 in the summer, not less than 30 in winter
Annual Average Rainfall: 29 inches
Economics and Demographics
Population: San Juan Island: 6,491 (Friday Harbor: 2,098)
Median Age, 2000: 40.6
Median Household Income: $48,458
Principle Industries
Construction, Retail