San Juan Islands—Victoria
Classic Tour

Our Signature Trip

The San Juan Islands - Victoria tour is a great way to experience many of the best features of the Pacific Northwest by bicycle, on foot, and on the water.  You’ll explore two gorgeous regions in one glorious week: the San Juan Islands and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

“One of the Best Places to Cycle,” Says League of American Bicyclists

The San Juan Islands are the best and most popular place to bicycle in the United States, according to the League of American Bicyclists.  Accessible only by ferry, the islands offer smooth country roads with very little traffic.  They also boast some of the best weather in the Pacific Northwest.  Because they lie in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the islands receive only 20-25 inches of rain per year, about half of Seattle’s total.

La Conner Introduces the San Juans

Our adventure starts in Seattle on a Saturday morning with a complimentary ride in our van to La Conner, a historic town tucked between the San Juan Islands and the Cascade Mountains.  We'll cycle to Anacortes for lunch, then board a Washington State ferry bound for Lopez Island and our lodging for the next two nights at the Edenwild Inn.  We dine tonight at the fabulous Bay Café, one of the best restaurants in the San Juan Islands, enjoying the ocean sunset as we feast on fresh island cuisine.

Explore Peaceful Lopez Island

On Sunday we’ll cycle the length of Lopez Island, through rolling pastureland, beside rocky cliffs, and along pebble-strewn beaches.  Lopez is considered the cyclist’s island because of its extensive network of low traffic roads and lack of any major hills.  We’ll take a break from riding to walk into Shark Reef Park, where we can watch seals bark on the rocks below and gaze out at San Juan Island just a mile away.

Pig Wars and Killer Whales

On Monday we ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.  We'll cycle to American Camp, a national historic park featured prominently in the 1859 "Pig War" between England and the United States.  You’ll also see Lime Kiln State Park, the only state park in the country devoted to observing orca (killer) whales. Most of the filming of movies about orca whales has been done in this area.  Wind and currents here cause nutrient-rich waters to well up in front of the park's rocky shores; this starts the food chain that leads to salmon eating small fish and orca (killer) whales chasing the salmon.  If we're lucky we will see these magnificent animals play and leap from the water.

We spend the next two nights at Lakedale Resort, ranked by the Fine Living Channel as one of the 10 most romantic hotels in the world.  You’ll love eating breakfast on the deck overlooking the lake, and the lodge's cozy common area — perfect for a drink at day’s end.

Kayak Serene Waters of Puget Sound

Tuesday is our first layover day.  We've hired a local sea kayaking company to provide us with equipment, instruction, and guides for a half day of fun on the water.  The serene water around the islands in the San Juan chain is one of the most beautiful and safe places in the country to sea kayak.  Slowly, silently, we paddle next to the rocky coast.  Exploring inlets, watching eagles, seals, and sea birds, we are in tune with the sea.  The rest of the day is free for shopping at local art galleries, getting a massage, cycling, hiking, or just relaxing at the resort.  We usually lead a hike to British Camp, where we explore the gardens and historical exhibits, and to Mount Young, with its panoramic views of the islands.

The High(est) Point

Wednesday morning we’ll board a ferry and head to Orcas Island, where we'll offer a ride up Mt. Constitution, the highest point in the islands. A short walk from the parking lot takes you to a stone observation tower for a magnificent 360-degree view: Vancouver to the north, the Cascade Range and Bellingham to the east, the rest of the San Juans and the Gulf Islands, Anacortes and the Olympic Range to the south. We'll spend the night at the Cascade Harbor Inn, nestled among fir and madrona trees and overlooking peaceful Cascade Bay.

Beautifully Appointed Rooms Face Victoria’s Inner Harbor

On Thursday, we'll take the international ferry to Vancouver Island in Canada, then shuttle to the Laurel Point Inn in Victoria.  We spend the next two nights in our spacious and well-appointed rooms overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbor, adjacent to downtown Victoria’s many attractions and excellent restaurants.

World Famous Butchart Gardens: 50 Acres of Floral Splendor

On arrival in Victoria, we'll visit the world-famous floral display at the Butchart Gardens.  Admission to these 50 acres of beautifully manicured gardens is included in your tour.  Following the tour, we cycle back to Victoria along the coast through an exclusive residential area.

An English Adventure: Parliament Buildings, High Tea, European Shops and Chocolates

Friday is our second layover day. In the morning, we offer a whale watching tour, where we'll likely encounter the region's majestic resident orca whales - and perhaps catch a glimpse of minke, humpback or gray whales as well. In the afternoon, you may wish to spend time in Victoria visiting the famous Parliament Buildings, the Provincial Museum, and the superb shopping areas near the Inner Harbor. 

Sweeping Views of the Puget Sound

On Saturday we'll ferry to tiny, pastoral Guemes Island, where we'll enjoy splendid views of Puget Sound and Mt. Baker as we cycle the perimeter.  Guemes has no commercial facilities and hardly any traffic, and makes a perfect, peaceful finale to an unforgettable week in the islands. We'll finish off with lunch at a scenic marina, then head back to Seattle.

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