Summer Getaway: San Juan Island, Washington

Nearly twenty years ago I took a two-month trip to San Juan Island, which is right off the coast of Washington state, near Seattle. San Juan Island is a pristine paradise with rocky beaches and long stretches of natural terrain unspoiled by development. The atmosphere on the island is one of peacefulness and a slower tempo. San Juan Island is seen by many as an oasis, an escape from the pressures of modern life, a place to connect with nature. The Orca whales visit every summer, often surfacing for human visitors. The best time to see them is between April and September.

San Juan is part of a group of other islands, the most important of which are Lopez Island, Orcas Island and Shaw Island, of which only San Juan, Lopez and Orcas offer accommodations for visitors.

When I was in San Juan, I stayed part of the time with friends, and part of the time camping at San Juan Island National Historical Park. There was a lovely downtown area in Friday Harbor, with lots of eclectic vintage shops, cafes and restaurants. I was situated right by the coast of the island, and spent a lot of time on the sea shore. Collecting shells and driftwood was a favorite pastime of natives when I was on the island.

San Juan Island has a very small population of a little more than 5,000 people. It's quite cool in the summer, and I recall that even on the Fourth of July I had to wear a jacket. It was quite a switch for someone who is used to the sweltering Texas heat. San Juan is cool all summer, and is not quite as rainy as Seattle.

There are a lot of people who trek to the island in summer, many of them traveling cross country all the way to San Juan by bicycle. The island attracts bicycle tours all summer long. You can rent bicycles in San Juan, too. Kayaking and scuba diving are also very popular on the island.

There are very few roads on the island, and the ones that are there are long and narrow, and are lined by groves of tall trees for miles and miles.