Guidebook for Orcas

Rebecca
Guidebook for Orcas

Food Scene

One of the best-kept secrets on the island (in my humble opinion) is the Yesterday's Treat basket here - any delicious baked goods they didn't sell yesterday are only $1. You have to arrive early to get them but they're the best bang for your buck! You can also get yourself a latte, some biscuits and gravy, or even a crustless quiche for breakfast. Stop by for lunch and get a turkey pesto melt, fish and chips, a light salad, or one of their amazing Orcas Burgers.
8 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Orcas Hotel Cafe
18 Orcas Hill Rd
8 người dân địa phương đề xuất
One of the best-kept secrets on the island (in my humble opinion) is the Yesterday's Treat basket here - any delicious baked goods they didn't sell yesterday are only $1. You have to arrive early to get them but they're the best bang for your buck! You can also get yourself a latte, some biscuits and gravy, or even a crustless quiche for breakfast. Stop by for lunch and get a turkey pesto melt, fish and chips, a light salad, or one of their amazing Orcas Burgers.
There's a reason this is one of the highest rated restaurants on the island. Their baked goods are amazing. Grab a gluten free blueberry muffin or a flaky croissant topped with rum soaked currants and Swedish pearl sugar, sit outside at one of the picnic tables, and take in the village with a very happy tummy.
38 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Brown Bear Baking
29 N Beach Rd
38 người dân địa phương đề xuất
There's a reason this is one of the highest rated restaurants on the island. Their baked goods are amazing. Grab a gluten free blueberry muffin or a flaky croissant topped with rum soaked currants and Swedish pearl sugar, sit outside at one of the picnic tables, and take in the village with a very happy tummy.
If you enjoy a farm-to-table meal, go here. Almost every ingredient is locally grown or raised and our guests rave about the experience. Hogstone's is definitely one of the most highly decorated restaurants on the island.
24 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Hogstone's Wood Oven
460 Main St
24 người dân địa phương đề xuất
If you enjoy a farm-to-table meal, go here. Almost every ingredient is locally grown or raised and our guests rave about the experience. Hogstone's is definitely one of the most highly decorated restaurants on the island.
The Madrona is my go-to for a good balance of view and food quality. The restaurant sits right on the water and if you are lucky enough to sit outside on their deck on a warm summer day to enjoy a plate of their fish and chips... you may never leave Orcas.
34 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Madrona Bar & Grill
310 Main St
34 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Madrona is my go-to for a good balance of view and food quality. The restaurant sits right on the water and if you are lucky enough to sit outside on their deck on a warm summer day to enjoy a plate of their fish and chips... you may never leave Orcas.
New Leaf is my favorite place on the island to get brunch. As in, when it's my birthday and I can choose anywhere to start my day off, I choose New Leaf. Go there. You will not regret it. The only downside is that it's not a very well-kept secret so the wait to be seated can sometimes be a bit long.
30 người dân địa phương đề xuất
New Leaf Cafe
171 Main St
30 người dân địa phương đề xuất
New Leaf is my favorite place on the island to get brunch. As in, when it's my birthday and I can choose anywhere to start my day off, I choose New Leaf. Go there. You will not regret it. The only downside is that it's not a very well-kept secret so the wait to be seated can sometimes be a bit long.
The Lower is a tavern so you must be 21+ to enter. In true tavern form, they have great burgers and a good selection of beers (and ciders for those so inclined). They also have weekly trivia nights, open mic nights, and karaoke nights.
32 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Lower Tavern
46 Prune Alley
32 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Lower is a tavern so you must be 21+ to enter. In true tavern form, they have great burgers and a good selection of beers (and ciders for those so inclined). They also have weekly trivia nights, open mic nights, and karaoke nights.
Mijitas is well-known for its delicious margaritas and its awesome carne asada. It's definitely one of the restaurants where it's wise to call ahead and make a reservation - weekend nights can be especially busy (but, in my opinion, worth the wait).
28 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Mijitas Mexican Kitchen
310 A St
28 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Mijitas is well-known for its delicious margaritas and its awesome carne asada. It's definitely one of the restaurants where it's wise to call ahead and make a reservation - weekend nights can be especially busy (but, in my opinion, worth the wait).

Drinks & Nightlife

I selected Brewery because Cidery isn't an option! These wonderful folks make delicious ciders and alcoholic slushies (as well as non-alcoholic slushies for the kiddos) with a fun build-your-own trail mix bar and a popcorn flavoring bar as well. The view is pretty great and sometimes they'll even have live music.
Boat House Cider Works
I selected Brewery because Cidery isn't an option! These wonderful folks make delicious ciders and alcoholic slushies (as well as non-alcoholic slushies for the kiddos) with a fun build-your-own trail mix bar and a popcorn flavoring bar as well. The view is pretty great and sometimes they'll even have live music.
If you're into craft cocktails, definitely check this place out. They take great pride in their house-made syrups and mixes with local ingredients, when possible. It is one of the cutest little bars I've ever seen and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.
39 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Barnacle
249 Prune Alley
39 người dân địa phương đề xuất
If you're into craft cocktails, definitely check this place out. They take great pride in their house-made syrups and mixes with local ingredients, when possible. It is one of the cutest little bars I've ever seen and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.
If local brews are your style, you can find Island Hoppin' Brewery beers at almost all the local restaurants but stopping by the tasting room is still worth the time. Play a game, relax, mingle with locals and tourists alike over a pint. They don't serve a full menu but do have pretzels, peanuts, chips, and sometimes gluten free crackers paired with locally made Myers Creamery goat cheese (my favorite).
25 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Island Hoppin' Brewery
33 Hope Ln
25 người dân địa phương đề xuất
If local brews are your style, you can find Island Hoppin' Brewery beers at almost all the local restaurants but stopping by the tasting room is still worth the time. Play a game, relax, mingle with locals and tourists alike over a pint. They don't serve a full menu but do have pretzels, peanuts, chips, and sometimes gluten free crackers paired with locally made Myers Creamery goat cheese (my favorite).

Parks & Nature

With over 30 miles of hiking trails and what my father and I call "the postcard view" - Moran State Park is definitely one of the must-sees. The view from the top of Mount Constitution, looking East toward the mainland is gorgeous. Cascade Lake is wonderful for a quick dip if it's warm enough and both the Cascade Lake and Mountain Lake loops are family-friendly hikes. For a quick hike with beautiful sights, check out the quarter mile long Cascade Falls Trail. There's a parking lot right at the top of the trail and, especially if there's been any rain lately, the falls are gorgeous. You can tack on some extra mileage by starting the hike from the picnic area by Cascade Lake.
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Công viên bang Moran
3572 Olga Rd
69 người dân địa phương đề xuất
With over 30 miles of hiking trails and what my father and I call "the postcard view" - Moran State Park is definitely one of the must-sees. The view from the top of Mount Constitution, looking East toward the mainland is gorgeous. Cascade Lake is wonderful for a quick dip if it's warm enough and both the Cascade Lake and Mountain Lake loops are family-friendly hikes. For a quick hike with beautiful sights, check out the quarter mile long Cascade Falls Trail. There's a parking lot right at the top of the trail and, especially if there's been any rain lately, the falls are gorgeous. You can tack on some extra mileage by starting the hike from the picnic area by Cascade Lake.
This is, hands down, my favorite trail on the island. When family or friends come to visit, if we're short on time, this is the only hike I'll take them on. The views on the ascent are gorgeous (I go to Ship Peak myself, through the West Overlook on the way up and down the Lost Oak Trail on the way back down). The view gets increasingly panoramic. On one side of the crest, you overlook Orcas to the East. On the other side, you look South toward the Olympic Peninsula, over the other San Juan Islands. Breathtaking but, as my uncle said halfway up, "a real hike... not just a brisk walk in nature."
20 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Turtleback Mountain South Trailhead
20 người dân địa phương đề xuất
This is, hands down, my favorite trail on the island. When family or friends come to visit, if we're short on time, this is the only hike I'll take them on. The views on the ascent are gorgeous (I go to Ship Peak myself, through the West Overlook on the way up and down the Lost Oak Trail on the way back down). The view gets increasingly panoramic. On one side of the crest, you overlook Orcas to the East. On the other side, you look South toward the Olympic Peninsula, over the other San Juan Islands. Breathtaking but, as my uncle said halfway up, "a real hike... not just a brisk walk in nature."

Arts & Culture

Stop here and take a look into Orcas Island's past. Such a treat for tourists and locals alike. (Note: for some reason, this marker is placed far from where the Historical Museum actually sits. It's in the main core of the village of Eastsound on North Beach Road!)
21 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Orcas Island Historical Museum
181 N Beach Rd
21 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Stop here and take a look into Orcas Island's past. Such a treat for tourists and locals alike. (Note: for some reason, this marker is placed far from where the Historical Museum actually sits. It's in the main core of the village of Eastsound on North Beach Road!)

Essentials

Island Market is the biggest grocery store on the island. If you're looking for just a few items, the Orcas Village Store right at the ferry landing is perfect. For a wider selection, head to Island Market.
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Island Market
469 Market St
46 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Island Market is the biggest grocery store on the island. If you're looking for just a few items, the Orcas Village Store right at the ferry landing is perfect. For a wider selection, head to Island Market.
Country Corner comprises a few businesses: a gas station, a convenience store, a laundromat, and the island's only recreational marijuana shop (Token Herb).
14 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Country Corner Market and Deli
837 Crescent Beach Dr
14 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Country Corner comprises a few businesses: a gas station, a convenience store, a laundromat, and the island's only recreational marijuana shop (Token Herb).

Getting Around

Most guests come and go via the Washington State Ferry system. One of the benefits of our location is that the ferry dock is about 100 yards away. This makes inter-island travel a breeze and means that once you get here, you're moments from the cottage.
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Ferry Dock
Ferry Dock
6 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Most guests come and go via the Washington State Ferry system. One of the benefits of our location is that the ferry dock is about 100 yards away. This makes inter-island travel a breeze and means that once you get here, you're moments from the cottage.