BELLINGHAM — Summer has reached Whatcom County, and we’re exploring local cities, islands and other destinations within a day’s travel from Bellingham.
Now, we’re taking you to Friday Harbor, a beautiful seaside town that can be reached only through an island-lined ferry route.
From Bellingham, you’ll drive about an hour to Anacortes, a quaint town with nautical charm on Fidalgo Island worth exploring. From the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, hop on a ferry to Friday Harbor, which takes about an hour with a nonstop route. Simply buy a walk-on, round-trip ticket online or at the terminal for $15.85 and wait to board your ferry.
The ferry schedule changes seasonally, so make sure to check ferry times online. The Anacortes Ferry Terminal is at 2100 Ferry Terminal Road in Anacortes.
Once you arrive at Friday Harbor, walk off the ferry and start exploring.
Stop 1: San Juan Island Roasters
When your ferry docks at Friday Harbor, you’ll see many small shops, restaurants, coffee shops and the marina from the boat. But before you start exploring, take a left once you’re off the boat and visit San Juan Island Roasters, a coffee shop and roastery.
The waterfront cafe serves coffee, teas, ice cream, baked goods, homemade chocolates and more. Grab a latte, a scone or even a bag of coffee beans.
San Juan Island Roasters is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 18 Cannery Landing.
Stop 2: Bellagrey Boutique
As you decide where to wander around Friday Harbor, walking up Spring Street will bring you to many small shops and local businesses you won’t find anywhere else. One of these is Bellagrey Boutique, an accessories and clothing shop with a hidden barbershop in the back.
The boutique and barbershop are owned by a husband and wife duo, according to the businesses’ website.
“Bellagrey (named after my children, Isabella and Greyson) started out exclusively online for 3 years and on our 4 year anniversary we proudly became a brick and mortar store. … The most exciting part is that we were able to find a location in which my husband and I could merge our businesses so it is a family run business. It is truly our second home,” owner Val Obregon wrote on their website.
The boutique has a variety of clothing, accessories and gift ideas for women, men and children.
Bellagrey Boutique and barbershop are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays at 310 Spring St., Unit D.
Stop 3: Pebble
Also on Spring Street is Pebble, also known as Sandpebble from its outdoor sign. This unique gift shop sells a wide variety of clothing, accessories, kitchen and home decor, stationery and even baby items.
The family-owned business has been operating since 1977 and has something for everyone in its warm, home-like environment.
Pebble is open from 10 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays at 245 Spring St.
Stop 4: San Juan Island Brewery
One of Friday Harbor’s hidden gems is San Juan Island Brewery, a large restaurant, brewery and taproom positioned a few blocks above the small shops, restaurants and ferry terminal.
It was opened in 2017 by a team of local friends and brothers, and brews all its beer on the island.
The menu features a pub pretzel, calamari, pepperoni ricotta hot honey pizza, salmon sandwich, black bean burgers, bratwurst, cheeseburgers, Philly cheese steak, clam chowder and a chocolate lava cake that will make your mouth water.
The brewery currently has 14 beers on tap, as well as ciders, wine and other nonalcoholic drinks.
San Juan Island Brewery is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 410 A St.
Stop 5: San Juan Island Sea Salt
Another unique spot in Friday Harbor is San Juan Island Sea Salt, a local sea salt farm store full of unique and delicious seasonings, sauces, baked goods and more.
The family-owned business makes it own sea salt at a private beach and salt farm on the island, collecting Washington’s gritty sea water to create blends of French fry seasoning, coffee salt, steak seasoning, blueberry habanero seasoning and more.
The farm’s store sells a variety of seasonings and salt, as well as sauces, toffee and caramels. It also offers free samples.
San Juan Sea Salt’s shop is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays from March through December at 80 Nichols St.
Stop 6: Serendipity Used Books
It may look quaint from the outside, but this shop is packed full of books from floor to ceiling in each room.
This “funky but well organized” used-book store is housed in a 120-year-old house close to the ferry terminal and keeps an online inventory of its hundreds of books to find specifics you may be looking for, according to its Facebook page.
Serendipity Used Books is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 223 A St.
Stop 7: Island Thyme Botanicals
Another hidden gem in Friday Harbor is Island Thyme Botanicals, a natural and organic body care shop. The shop’s soaps, lotions, cleansers, moisturizers, remedies, lip care and sanitizers are all made on the San Juan Islands by Chris and Eliza Morris, co-owners of the business and farm.
When you visit this bright and welcoming store, make sure to sample the different products and fresh scents at the front counter. The wide variety of body and skin-care products brings smells of vanilla, lavender, grapefruit, rose, fir, sweet orange, eucalyptus, ginger, golden chai, mint and cinnamon into your home.
The farm’s products can also be found online and even in stores across Washington, Oregon, California, Indiana, Montana and Texas.
Island Thyme Botanicals is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 150 First St. S.
Stop 8: Printshop Northwest
One of the most unique shops in Friday Harbor is Printshop Northwest, an apparel screen printing shop that allows you to pick a shirt and a design and have it created for you in the shop, right in front of your eyes.
The shop has a variety of designs created by local artists that boast some of the Pacific Northwest’s well-known charm: whales, mountain ranges, ferries, foxes, the island’s outline and more.
Simply choose a shirt, choose your design, and watch the artist’s work be created into your newest wardrobe piece. The shop also has a variety of pre-printed clothing and home decor items for sale.
Printshop Northwest is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 120 S. First St.
Stop 9: The Port of Friday Harbor marina
Friday Harbor is also known for its beautiful scenery, dockside wildlife and beaches. Along the edge of the island is the public marina and Port of Friday Harbor, which allows guests to walk between boats and get up close with seals or other wildlife below their feet.
Along the marina, you may also find local fishermen selling their catch, or even see a seaplane take off. Nearby you can also explore The Whale Museum or Fairweather Park.
The Friday Harbor marina is located next to the ferry terminal at 204 Front St.
Stop 10: Friday Harbor Ice Cream Co.
Before you walk back onto the ferry, make sure to visit the terminal’s neighbor, The Friday Harbor Ice Cream Co. This ice cream shop is a staple of the island, serving 72 flavors of ice cream, gelato, sherbets and sorbets out of a walk-up window.
The popular ice cream shop is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays at 1 Spring St.
