The Long Way
San Juan County
Two hikers walking along a stone wall overlooking a scenic landscape with water, islands, and distant mountains.
Plate I. Island view, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. From stateofwatourism.com
A person stands at the stern of a ferry looking out at the water and distant shores.
Plate II. Ferry deck, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. From stateofwatourism.com
A scenic view of a harbor with boats and a ferry on the water, framed by autumn leaves.
Plate III. Ferry approaching Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. From stateofwatourism.com
Two people sit on rocks by the water and look at a distant lighthouse.
Plate IV. Lighthouse and coastal view, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. From stateofwatourism.com
Two people stand on a rocky coastline overlooking the ocean beneath framing tree branches.
Plate V. Coastal view, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. From stateofwatourism.com
A ferry on calm water at sunset with a tree-lined shore in the background.
Plate VI. Ferry on the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. From stateofwatourism.com
A whale breaches out of the water with mountains in the background.
Plate VII. Breaching whale along the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. From stateofwatourism.com
A large historic white hotel with multiple balconies stands beside a brick courtyard and wooded hillside.
Plate VIII. Hotel de Haro, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. From stateofwatourism.com

San Juan Islands Scenic Byway

Friday Harbor, San Juan County, Washington. State Scenic Byway.

Details

Map. Friday Harbor, San Juan County, Washington. Larger map
Where
Friday Harbor, San Juan County, WA. No street address stated. Directions
Season
year-round, with reduced frequency outside the summer season.
Getting there
From Seattle, drive about one and a half hours northwest to the Washington State Ferries terminal in Anacortes, then ride the ferry 40 minutes to two hours to the chosen island.
Access
Gasoline on San Juan Island is available only in Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor.
Walk-in or reserve
Reservations are recommended for travel between Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.
Website
visitsanjuans.com
Established
April 2009.

The byway has three segments: 30 miles on Washington State Ferries routes, a San Juan Island driving tour, and an Orcas Island driving tour.

Notable Events

  1. 1859The camps were established during a border dispute triggered by the killing of a pig. nps.gov
  2. 1859The Pig War led to a 12-year joint British and U.S. occupation of San Juan Island while the nations disputed ownership. scenicwa.com
  3. 1872Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany awarded the San Juan Islands to the United States, settling the boundary dispute. nps.gov
  4. 1966San Juan Island was authorized as an NPS unit to preserve the American and English Camps and commemorate the peaceful settlement of the boundary dispute. nps.gov
  5. 2009The San Juan Islands Scenic Byway was created as an auto-touring route. nps.gov
  6. Glaciers covered San Juan Island, carving and rounding its resistant bedrock. nps.gov

People

  • Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany, Awarded the San Juan Islands to the United States, settling the boundary dispute (1872).

Sources

  1. stateofwatourism.com/scenic-byways/san-juan-islands-scenic-byway
  2. visitsanjuans.com/san-juan-islands-scenic-byway
  3. wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/scheduledetailbyroute.aspx?route=ana-sj
  4. visitsanjuans.com/san-juan-islands-scenic-byway-route-2011.pdf
  5. engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/destination-management-plan/documents
  6. visitsanjuans.com/san-juan-islands-scenic-byway
  7. nps.gov/tours/view.htm?id=E4BFD337-AC90-CF92-33B33C593C6EBBFA
  8. nps.gov/articles/nps-geodiversity-atlas-san-juan-island-national-historical-park-washington.htm
  9. scenicwa.com/san-juan-islands-scenic-byway