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Visit A Friday Harbor Bed And Breakfast

By Essie Osborn


Researching this topic raises the question: Is it better to visit a Friday Harbor bed and breakfast - or run one? This charming town on beautiful San Juan Island looks like the perfect place for a peaceful getaway or for a peaceful life. There are gorgeous views of the water, the mountains, and of flower-filled gardens everywhere you look.

San Juan was claimed by the Hudson Bay Company, which used it not for the fur trade but for a salmon cannery. An early settler came to work in the cannery but stayed and gave the town its name. Later residents raised vegetables and fruit for export to the mainland, as well as continuing with commercial fishing. Today the islands, including San Juan, are prime tourist attractions.

The population of between two and three thousand permanent residents shows that this really is a small town. It's surrounded by mountains and water; the views are breathtaking. Everything else is sky, beaches, boats, and charming homes and businesses. Visitors are encouraged to get on 'island time', which is slow and sweet.

You can get to San Juan by regular commercial flights, seaplane, ferry, or private boat. There is taxi service for those who arrive without a car. Getting around is easily done on foot; the town is only about two mile square. You can also rent bicycles and mopeds for exploring on land or a kayak for the water. Reservations are always a good idea for overnight stays and essential in the summer.

There are many kinds of Bed and Breakfast establishments, too. Some are very private; one has only one guest room suite. Others have up to seven, while some hotel chains offer the authentic B&B experience in their rooms. They promise privacy, luxurious bedrooms, charming gardens to stroll in, and gourmet breakfast buffets.

Some inns have as many as seven guest suites. There are charming Victorian manses and more contemporary houses with modern decor but all the comforts. It's fun to go online and check out the photo galleries that let you see for yourself what each establishment has to offer, like private balconies or kitchenettes. You can have your own private retreat or enter into the home life of your hosts by sharing their living room and patio.

One couple provides surprisingly spacious rooms on their boat. This is fun to see, even if you're not planning a trip to this island resort in the immediate future. The cabins are inviting, and the upper deck looks perfect for relaxing and watching boats come and go in the marina.

This vacation destination is great for doing as little or as much as you like. You can just sit back and absorb the peace and quiet or get out to see the sights. These include two species of whale, which you might spot from one of the beach or from a boat during a wildlife tour. There's hiking, kayaking, bird watching, and more in the national parks, and shopping, museums, galleries, entertainment, and dining in town.




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