Washington San Juan Islands Cycling EscapeFrom quiet pebble beaches to blossoming meadows, San Juan Islands cycling is a peaceful retreat from busy everyday life.
A scenic ferry ride from Washington’s Fidalgo Island brings us to the maritime world of the San Juans. Here we cycle on serene island roads, navigating around harbors, inlets, bays, and rolling, green mountains. We ride through color tulip nurseries and old sheep farms. We visit artist colonies and taste fresh seafood cuisine. In the fall, we can pick our fill of wild berries from just about anywhere along the way.
A half-day’s ride takes us to the top of Mt. Constitution, where we climb up an old stone fort’s princess tower for a bird’s-eye view of the entire San Juan Island chain, the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, Olympic National Park, and Cascade mountain range.
The San Juan’s are also a natural haven for wildlife. Great blue herons, black-tailed deer, cormorants, seals, sea otters, and King Fishers make their homes here. We watch for dolphins and orca whales as we ferry through the island channels, where whale sightings occur regularly in season.
When you think of the Northwest, you are thinking of the San Juans!
Day 1: We begin by picking you up in Seattle, land of contrasts, a sprawling metropolis dropped into a rainforest climate. Then an hour shuttle takes us where your scenic ride begins; La Conner. Located in the Skagit River delta, La Conner is small, charming fishing village that’s fertile with fields of vibrant flowers. La Conner is home to an annual Daffodil Festival, and Skagit Valley has its own Tulip Festival—but you’ll also marvel at the fields of irises coloring the landscape (in fact, Skagit County produces more tulip, daffodil, and iris bulbs than any other U.S. county). You’ll heartily breathe in the Puget Sound fresh air as you ride past fragrant, colorful vistas of purple, red, yellow, and white. But don’t forget to glance at the skies for the numerous birding opportunities. There’s plenty of waterfowl amidst the wetlands and estuaries, as well as birds of prey and songbirds gliding through the dry forests of ponderosa pine. We return to La Conner for the night, but this has been an ideal warm-up for our coming exploration of the magical San Juan Islands.
Day 2: From La Conner, we ride across the Swinomish Channel to Fidalgo Island through Swinomish Indian territory. Fidalgo Island boasts a drier climate than Seattle (it experiences about a foot less of rain every year than its large neighbor to the south). After an 11-mile journey north along the coast of Fidalgo Bay, you’ll arrive in the waterfront resort town of Anacortes, a warm tourist getaway that will give you your first clear views of the San Juan Islands. While Anacortes is thick with hiking trails and parks, our ultimate destination beckons about four miles west to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, where we’ll hop the ferry to fabled Orcas Island. Then it’s an 8-mile bike ride to Eastsound, the island’s main commercial center, where you’ll be treated to a special surprise. You’ll be shuttled to the Rosario Mansion to learn about its builder and local philanthropist Robert Moran. We’ll conclude our evening with a concert in the music room, where Moran’s original 1913 Aeolian Pipe Organ and 1900 Steinway Grand Piano are still housed. Then it’s time to enjoy a nice, restful sleep. The magic has just begun.
Day 3: Prepare to discover the high points (literally) of the largest of the San Juan Islands. Orcas Island is not named after killer whales, but rather comes from the Viceroy of Mexico who sent an expedition to the island in 1791. The horseshoe-shaped island is 57-square miles of sometimes rugged terrain with awe-inspiring sights, including panoramic views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. You’ll travel to the east side of the horseshoe, heading south on Olga Road, then roam down the rocky coastline of the East Sound, dotted with madrona trees that loom over the choppy turf, their reddish bark providing a stunning contrast to the deep blue water in the distance. You’ll stop at popular Cascade Lake in Moran State Park for a siesta before embarking on the quest to Mount Constitution. The highest point in the San Juans, Mount Constitution has an elevation of 2,409 ft., with a road that sometimes steepens to a 15% grade (it has an average grade of 8.5%), so dig in for a hearty climb. The view from the summit is worth the trek. You’ll see vast horizons of both mountain ranges piercing the shimmering heavens, and the sparkling topography of islands arrayed in the swirling seas. From the base of the mountain, we move south a couple of miles to Olga, which is at the southern tip of the island on Buck Bay. This beautiful hamlet has a thriving arts community, so enjoy the communion of natural wonders and the creative handiwork of skilled artisans before embarking on the trip back to Eastsound.
Day 4: Yesterday we explored the east side of Orca’s horseshoe—now it’s time for a little west side sightseeing. We begin with a short cruise to the shore of the President Channel, where you may want to stop into Orca’s Island Pottery on West Beach, a store abundant with eye-catching handmade crafts you won’t find in any mainland chain stores. We continue on our twisty, curvy ride around the north coast of the West Sound to Deer Harbor, which is plentiful with Dungeness crab, rock crab, and shrimp, so lunch may be in order. From there, we reverse our journey around the West Sound, then head south to the place where we started this island journey, Orcas, where we’ll catch the ferry to San Juan Island. The most populous of the San Juans, this postcard-worthy island is filled with majestic lighthouses over serene vistas, occasionally disturbed by a whale splashing through the calm surf. We’ll stay in Friday Harbor, a warm, welcoming seaport filled with charming shops and numerous places to sit and enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the region. Take it all in and rest up for tomorrow’s exploration of San Juan.
Day 5: We’re taking a tour of the entire San Juan Island, heading south from Friday Harbor through San Juan National Historical Park to the southern tip of the island, where we encounter a piece of forgotten history. This park is also known as the “American and English Camps” that were established during the Pig War of 1859, which was triggered by the killing of an actual pig followed by barely restrained hostilities lasting for 12 years. The American Camp is located at the southern tip of the island, the English at the Northwest side of San Juan. Both camp sites are listed as National Historic Landmarks and still have many of their original structures intact. We’ll make our way back up north, riding along the western shore around False Bay, up through fertile fields of prairie land. While San Juan Island is known for coastline sightings of whale pods and harbor seals, there’s plenty to see inland. This is a significant birding destination, where you may spot a great blue heron, peregrine falcons, and even bald eagles. We’ll make our way back to the coast, and after riding about 5.5 miles from False Bay, we’ll arrive at Lime Kiln State Park. This small seaside park is one of the best land sites in the world for whale watching. In fact, it’s the only state park in the country devoted to watching orca whales. From Lime Kiln State Park, we’ll head north for another curvy 10 miles past the English Camp to Roche Harbor, which is an official U.S. port of entry. We’ll return south down hilly roads to Friday Harbor. Take a walk or visit the Whale Museum, then enjoy another splendid sunset. You’ve earned it.
Day 6: This morning we ferry to Lopez Island, where we enter from the very top of the island and move down the well-traveled Ferry Road. Lopez Island is the flattest of the three largest San Juans, with rich, spacious farmland and thick forests. We’ll ride toward the eastern coast along Swifts Bay past the wooded hills of Spencer Spit State Park. Then we’ll head down to the south end of the island for lunch on a secluded beach. From here, you’ll see the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the south and Victoria Island to the west, along with a view of the majestic Olympic Mountains. Then it’s up north, where we’ll travel along the west coast of the island toward Shark Reef Sanctuary, a terrific spot to watch seals and sea lions off the rocky coast. Then we make our way up to the ferry at the north of the island for our trip back to Anacortes. Take a breather and prepare for the shuttle back to Seattle—you’ve enjoyed a hidden jewel of America’s vast natural treasures!
Escape Adventures
Since 1992, we at Escape Adventures have been blessed to shape and lead adventure travel vacations through some of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in the world. Each successive season, our passion for adventure grows through memorable moments with our guests. Fresh air, faith, fitness and friends are the building blocks for our ventures, the treasured experiences that keep us moving forward. For those of you who have trekked and traveled with us over the past quarter century, Heather and I express our sincerest gratitude. The memories are priceless.
For those who have yet to tour with us, we appreciate the opportunity to introduce you to our family-run company and guiding principles of sustainability and adventure. Our portfolio specializes in Western North America and is rapidly growing internationally. Building on over 100 destinations, we cater to the full spectrum of active traveler, respective to fitness level and activity type. From road cyclist to mountain biker to electric biker, hiker, and multi-sport enthusiast, and from first-timer to friends and family groups of all ability levels, on behalf of our Escape Adventures family, we look forward to many new and exciting adventures with you.
With much gratitude, and happy trails,
Jared and Heather Fisher
Founders and Owner-Operators
Escape Adventures
Wild Iris Inn is offering accommodations in La Conner. With free bikes, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with WiFi. The property has a 24-hour front desk. All rooms have a bath, free toiletries, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and DVD-Player. With a private bathroom equipped with a shower and a hair dryer, some rooms at the hotel also offer a mountain view. An American breakfast is served every morning at the property. Wild Iris Inn has a terrace. Guests can take part in various activities in the surrounding areas, including cycling and hiking.
Just a 7 minute walk from Port of Friday Harbor, this charming bed and breakfast offers free kayak rentals. Warmly decorated, each comfortably-furnished room comes with a private bathroom. Select rooms feature a full kitchen or a fireplace. Guests of Tucker House Inn Friday Harbor can enjoy a gourmet breakfast of baked peaches and homemade granola. Other specialties include Portuguese Linguisa and lemon ricotta pancakes. San Juan Island National Historical Park is 8 miles from this bed and breakfast. Guests can enjoy delectable dinners and wine at Coho Restaurant just steps away.
We choose well-maintained public campgrounds with scenic vistas and comfortable arrangements. You’ll move seamlessly from one day of your trip to the next, camping outdoors and enjoying wildly healthy, delicious homemade meals.
Look Ma, no hands! Stay connected and safe with this “game-changer” mobile accessory. The Wraptor gives you full screen visibility and holds your phone safe and securely, even over rough terrain. It’s designed to quickly attach and detach from the bar, and the base rotates between landscape and portrait mode with ease. It’s a must-have if you want to spend less time fiddling with your device and more time pedaling your bike.
It’s lit! When it comes to bike safety, illumination is key. Even when you are on the road in the daytime, you need to be seen from all directions. So we’ve teamed up with NiteRider to offer the best daytime lighting for your ride. Each road bike is equipped with a headlight and a taillight with the proper lumen output and run time to keep you safe from every angle.
