Area C – San Juan County
including San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island , Friday Harbor, Eastsound, Blakely Island, Shaw Island
The San Juans. This area has become so popular, it has changed completely. Where once you found a sleepy little town of Eastsound, where everybody knew everybody and all the stores were tiny, now its boutiques, a real big grocery store, and lots of people. My favorite island is Lopez — it’s quiet, friendly and not many hills. Perfect for older bicyclists like myself. You gotta like being quiet to live here.
San Juan Island has become much more heavily populated, there are some great new restaurants in Friday Harbor, and my favorite areas on the island are on the south end at Eagle Cove where the views are forever to the south (and windy windy windy — but I love it!) and the little development of Cape San Juan — part funky, part just for boaters, and part really cool place. Oh, there are the newer areas around Roche Harbor, and the fabulous lots around the island, but I like funky a lot. Orcas Island, for me, is part old-time residents, part artists, and part new folks. From the very laid back Olga to the stunning views from Buck Mountain.
Most of my clients are folks who telecommute to work, living and working on the waterfront with seagulls, herons and bald eagles as their closest neighbors. Orcas is friendly and laid back enough to allow various lifestyles.
What about the smaller islands? If it’s summer only, great. Personally, I need to be able to drive away and that’s not always possible. Best thing about the San Juans? The views are unbeatable.
