San Juan Islands: Information Resource Portal

The San Juan Islands, located in the Pacific Northwest between the coast of Washington state and Vancouver Island, are part of the San Juan Archipelago which includes the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. Comprised of more than 700 islands and reefs, about 176 of the islands in San Juan County are large enough to be named. The San Juans are accessible to the public by water and air. The most common means of travel is by Washington State Ferry to four of the islands (San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island). About 15,500 people reside in San Juan County.

The San Juan Island's geology, carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, varies from flat farmland to small mountains. Below the sea's surface, channels plunge to depths of up to 1,000 feet.

Much of the commercial activity in San Juan County takes place in Lopez Village on Lopez Island, Eastsound on Orcas Island, and Friday Harbor, the largest town of the islands, on San Juan Island. San Juan Island Lighthouse Several small towns and a few resorts also provide goods and services.

The area gets less rainfall than Seattle due to the proximity of the Olympic Mountains to the southwest. Summer high temperatures are typically about 70°F with winter lows around 40°F. Snow is not common, though high winds from the northeast can result in brief freezing spells.






	San Juan Islands Fast Facts History Government Geography Attractions Lodging	The San Juan Islands, located in the Pacific Northwest between the coast of Washington state and Vancouver Island, are part of the San Juan Archipelago which includes the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. Comprised of more than 700 islands and reefs, about 176 of the islands in San Juan County are large enough to be named. The San Juans are accessible to the public by water and air. The most common means of travel is by Washington State Ferry to four of the islands (San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island). About 15,500 people reside in San Juan County. The San Juan Island's geology, carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, varies from flat farmland to small mountains. Below the sea's surface, channels plunge to depths of up to 1,000 feet. Much of the commercial activity in San Juan County takes place in Lopez Village on Lopez Island, Eastsound on Orcas Island, and Friday Harbor, the largest town of the islands, on San Juan Island. Several small towns and a few resorts also provide goods and services. The area gets less rainfall than Seattle due to the proximity of the Olympic Mountains to the southwest. Summer high temperatures are typically about 70°F with winter lows around 40°F. Snow is not common, though high winds from the northeast can result in brief freezing spells.

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