These U.S.A. island retreats have all the romance, relaxation and seaside views you will need.
San Juan Islands
Photo courtesy of San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau
Washington state’s water-bound floating haven — comprised of 172 islands off the northwest coast — is full of relaxing pursuits, including working artist studios, lush forests, kayaking and whale watching galore. The low-key collective is also nicknamed the “gourmet archipelago” for a foodie culture that dates back to the late 1800s, when its farms and orchards were producing enough bounty to satisfy both islanders and folks across the U.S. Today, vineyards, breweries and distilleries can be found among the farms and ranches.
What to do: Ferry service goes to the four mains islands — San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw. Friday Harbor, San Juan’s largest village, is filled with boutiques, cafés and sites like the Whale Museum. Take in the waters up close in an electric boat or a Hobie pedal kayak. Friday Harbor is also a great base for exploring the rest of the main island. Highlights include the San Juan Islands Sculpture park, an outdoor museum set among 20 acres of park and wetlands, and the Pelindaba Lavender Farm. On a day trip to Orcas Island, explore more than 38 miles of trails in Moran State Park and visit painting, pottery and woodcutting studios. Don’t forget to eat! At Buck Bay Shellfsh, choose from bins of just-harvested oysters — shuck them yourself and enjoy on-site, along with the water views. At Blue moon farm, you can pick fruit from 150-year-old orchards.
Where to stay: Constructed around an 1860s farmhouse and surrounded by fruit orchards, Orcas Island’s Inn at Ship Bay offers 11 quaint accommodations and serves some of the best food in the islands (room rates start at $125 a night; innatshipbay.com). In San Juan Island’s Mitchell Bay, the historic Snug Harbor Resort’s waterfront suites and cabins have fully-equipped kitchens, tech-savvy amenities and unbeatable views (room rates start at $169 a night; snugresort.com).
