Orcas Island

Written By Martha Segovia

One of the most amazing things about living in the PNW is the access to one of the most gorgeous islands.. the San Juan Islands. I’ve been there a couple of times and each time is filled with magic, delicious food, and a newfound appreciation for nature. It tends to get super busy in the summer so make sure you book in advance.

Getting There

Take a ferry from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands. Make sure to look at the ferry schedule and book in advance if you are in the peak season.

Roadtrip Pitstops

  • Gothberg Farms, 15203 Sunset Road, Bow. Besides the fresh chevre, available only during milking months, temptations included Gruyere, chic choc cheddar (with chicory and chocolate), Gouda, dill and garlic, or Matyas’ favorite, Welsh-style Caerphilly (“It’s made like a cheddar and brined like a Gouda and gets really soft and creamy with a buttery finish”). 360-202-2436 or gothbergfarms.com.

  • Samish Bay Cheese, 15115 Bow Hill Road, Bow. A tiny retail shop and tasting room offers organic cheese from the farm’s cows. Owner Roger Wechsler might tell you about his signature Ladysmith fresh cheese, named for a Mrs. Smith who was a pioneer in the area. It’s popular with added flavorings such as chives or arugula. Farm-grown pork and beef also available. 360-766-6707 or samishbaycheese.com.

  • Golden Glen Creamery, 15098 Field Road, Bow. Store open Monday-Saturday offers everything from farm-made Parmesan to lavender cheddar. 360-766-6455 or goldenglencreamery.com.

  • Breadfarm,  Here you’ll find a busy crew, young and old, busily turning out baked goods ranging from the aforementioned delectable sour-cherry lemon bread ($7) to hearty Chuckanut Multigrain, as well as rustic pastries, Fredonia Fig Bars, gingerbread cupcakes with chocolate ganache and more. It’ll make you a glutton for gluten. No credit cards; 360-766-4065 or breadfarm.com

  • Slough Food has fine wines and a selection of top-notch deli meats from around the region, sourced from Seattle’s Salumi, Bavarian Meats, Cascioppo Bros. and more. Want to picnic here? Their next backdoor oyster party is noon-4 p.m. April 13, overlooking Edison Slough. Paella parties May to September. 360-766-4458 or sloughfood.com.

  • Bow Hill Blueberries, is now run by former Seattle Times photographer Harley Soltes and his family. On Bow Hill Road a short distance east off Chuckanut, in mid- to late summer you can pick blueberries here for your picnic or to take home. The rest of the year a farm store sells jam as well as frozen, dried and pickled blueberries. Soltes urged us to try his pickled blueberries, made from Rubels, a heritage berry originally from the pine barrens of New Jersey, on grilled salmon with crème fraîche. (It was our Christmas dinner this year. They sell a recipe card.) 360-399-1006 or bowhillblueberries.com.


Where to Eat 

Breakfast

Lunch

  • Island Market - (grocery store with to go items) (Covid update - open)

  • Buck’s bay farm - (seafood) (Covid update - dine in /take out)

  • New leaf cafe - (brunch) (Covid update - open for brunch)

  • The Kitchen - (Asian inspired) (closed on weekends)

  • Enzo’s Italian Caffe (crepes/paninis) (Covid update - dine in/take out)

  • Chimayo En El Dia - (Mexican) (Covid Update - dine in)

  • Doe Bay -  (Covid update -takeout only)

Dinner + Drinks 


Where to Stay


What To Do 

  • Relax - Soaking tubs + Sauna @ DOe Bay  - 8am -10pm $15 pp - clothing optional (Covid update - only open for overnight guests)

  • Rent these funny mopeds

  • Art museum

  • The whale museum - tiny museum but interesting

  • Kayaking 

  • Hiking / trails

    • Watmough Bay – Stunning beach and bay Otis Beach Park – long stretch of beach and great driftwood forts 

    • Spencer Spit Beach Park and Campground Odlin Park and Campground Agate Beach Near Iceberg Point Labyrinth Walk – on Fisherman’s Bay Road, just off Ferry Road – wonderful field flowers surround this peaceful labyrinth walk – fun for all ages 

    • Shark Reef short hike/walk – Easy walk through woods and along trail above shoreline

    • Mount Constitution - good views

    • Other hikes + other hikes

  • Farms - lavender farm, alpaca farm

Martha Segovia
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