San Juan Island is one of the best places in the world to whale watch. And you don’t have to be on board a chartered ship to do it! You can spot these majestic marine animals from many of the shores on the western side of our island. For most visitors, San Juan’s...
Even with so much to do on San Juan Island, we occasionally get a hankering to do a little “off-island” exploring. And the Washington State Ferries make it so easy to travel from your San Juan Island lodging to Orcas, home of Moran State Park and some of the best...
Summer is almost here and for us, that means it's camping season, the best time of year! But why go camping in the first place? In some families, camping is a tradition that is passed on from one generation to another, singing the same goofy songs, having grandpa...
You might think it’s a safe bet to assume that the summer season here at Lakedale is when we work the hardest. With all of our guests enjoying outdoor fun, a full schedule of summer events and activities, and the general “busy-busy” that comes along with our peak...
So, you want to get married on San Juan Island? Aside from selecting who is meeting you at the altar, choosing San Juan Island as your wedding destination is probably the best decision you could have made for your wedding day. +1 for you! Whether you’re hosting a big...
When people come out to Lakedale, they often want to island-hop, and with good reason! In San Juan County, there are technically 172 islands and reefs, although most don’t offer ferry service. One that does is obviously San Juan Island. The other two ferry-served...
We live in an art lover’s paradise. It may be easy for you, dear reader, to think that statement is a deeply biased opinion, and you’re not wrong. However, it’s also supported by sites like America the Beautiful, which voted Friday Harbor as one of its “Top Ten...
San Juan Island has more than its share of gorgeous natural attractions, which is one reason our guests love to visit. Starting with the ferry ride across the Salish Sea, to the drive through the island to arrive at Lakedale with peaks of Mt. Baker and glimpses of...
San Juan Island is one of the most beautiful places on earth (OK, we are a little bit biased). Although we’re famous for our summers, these islands are a paradise in winter, too, with plenty to see and do in our "quiet season". (And a big thanks to Pacific North...
San Juan Island is a paradise for kids (and kids at heart) and the fun starts with getting to the island! Hop aboard a Washington State Ferry in Anacortes for the hour-long journey, explore the ship, watch the islands pass by and keep your eyes open for seals, whales,...
Fall means savoring the San Juan Islands! Every autumn (from late September through early November) the San Juan Islands celebrate the bounty that is fall. Harvest dinners, wine tastings, farmer’s markets, farm tours and film festivals are just some of the fantastic...
With all the fantastic outdoor activities in the San Juan Islands, our guests are always surprised by the number of great "intellectual" activities we offer too! When that rainy day arrives and you need somewhere new to explore, here are some of our favorite...