If you have ever considered taking a trip to the San Juan Islands, hesitate no longer!

First stop: Orcas Island

My mom, brother, and I decided to take off on a short trip to the San Juan Islands in Washington. We flew into Seattle and drove 2 hours where we took a ferry from Anacortes to Orcas island. Every stop along the way was beautiful starting at the ferry terminal. I recommend getting out of your car and taking a short walk along the beach at the terminal. There is a lovely boardwalk along the waterfront with history of the area.

1. Glamp at Moran State Park

We stayed along Cascade Lake in fabulous glamping tents through Leanto. They were the perfect size, comfortable, and had everything we could possibly need. They even give you the option to purchase s’mores kits or coffee delivered straight to you site! It had all the glorious parks of camping with the added bonus of a shower and bed!

2. Hike to the top of Mt. Constitution

The view from the top is spectacular, you will not be disappointed! Even if you are, the hike is gorgeous. We even stumbled upon a huge ant hill, I never imagined an ant hill could be so big!

Warning: Do not take the trail backwards from Mountain Lake (unless your looking for a grueling workout). We unknowingly did the loop backwards and encountered switchback after switchback. We were thrilled and felt accomplished when we reached the top but in hindsight wished we had done it the correct way (even though we convinced ourselves that we liked our challenging route). Side note: You can also just drive up!

3. Hang out on the shores of Cascade Lake

Get some ice cream, swim, kayak, or paddle board. Get your water recreation on! The lake is lovely.

San Juan Island

4. Visit Pelindaba Lavender Farm

Take in the fragrant smells of lavender as you walk through several species of lavender plants. I wish I would have packed a lunch and enjoyed the view for longer. There is also a visitor center and shop that has every lavender product you could ever imagine. I recommend the lavender lemonade.

5. Take a guided Kayak Tour

We took a 6 hour kayaking tour with Seaquest tours. Although we didn’t see any Orcas, we learned a ton about the biology of the region. It was a highlight of the trip. We had a wonderful guide and saw a few eagles and harbor seals. One harbor seal was smacking a fish across the water to stun it! How cool is that?

6. Visit San Juan Island Brewing Company

Grab an award winning beer and enjoy woodfired pizza at San Juan Island Brewing Company. The vibe is fabulous, there is outdoor seating, and even some games.

7. Explore Kiln Lime State Park

Go to Kiln Lime State Park to whale watch, check out the lighthouse, and walk along the Haro Straight!