JavaScript must be enabled

Page will not work without JavaScript enabled

Washington

Best of the Pacific N.W.: Exploring Three of Washington’s San Juan Islands

Program No. 18520RJ

Enjoy nature, learn about orca whales, visit a lighthouse, discover museums and immerse yourself in history and tradition as you explore San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands.

Wishlist

Start

Program

At a Glance

Duration

7 days

Program Begins

Seattle

Program Concludes

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Meals

16 ( 6B, 5L, 5D )

Activity Level

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the San Juan Archipelago while you uncover the cultures and landscapes unique to San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands. Meet historians, artists, farmers, preservationists and other islanders who make up the fabric of these communities, and explore scenic shorelines, mountain vistas, rare coastal prairie and the region's iconic evergreen forests.

Best of all, you'll...

Spend a day on Orcas Island to enjoy the panoramic marine vista from Mount Constitution and a unique schoolhouse from the 1800s.
Ride the Washington State Ferry to Lopez Island to discuss and view sustainable farming and housing on the islands.
Take field trips on San Juan Island to National Historic Parks, a picturesque lighthouse and more.

View Full Itinerary

General Notes

Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less. If not specified as a small group date, departures will have up to 36 participants.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Michael Vouri

Michael Vouri retired as the chief of interpretation and historian for San Juan Island National Park after more than 21 years. He has written books about the Pig War, the Royal Marines and San Juan Island. He has worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers, a U.S. Air Force public affairs officer, and as assistant director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. Michael has been a Road Scholar instructor on San Juan Island since 1997 and a Group Leader since 2016.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

Please Note:

These experts may not be available for every date of the program

Michael Vouri

Shona Aitken

Shona Aitken is the education coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and has worked in education and rehabilitation positions at the center for over three decades. Born and raised in Scotland, she has a degree in ecology and environmental science from Stirling University and worked in a range of ecology and wildlife-based positions in Scotland and Sweden before coming to the U.S. Shona teaches about local wildlife and increases awareness of the impacts of human activities on these animals and their habitats.

Kevin Loftus

Kevin Loftus is the executive director at the San Juan Historical Museum. Kevin spent his formative years in Chicago before heading to Northern Arizona University. After graduating, he answered a call to the corporate world in Dallas, Texas. A love of cycling led to learning about the San Juan Islands. Upon first visiting San Juan Island in 2000, Kevin realized the Islands were calling, becoming his home in 2005. Kevin became the executive director of the San Juan Historical Museum in 2008.

Keith Keyser

Keith Keyser has called the Pacific Northwest home since 1974 after migrating from the East Coast. He attended Evergreen State College and obtained a B.A. in childhood development. After college, Keith taught elementary and middle school for 25 years in Idaho and Washington. Keith has resided on San Juan Island since 2006, enjoying backpacking, kayaking, gardening, wild crafting, and woodworking. Keith works as a landscaper, teacher of sustainable agriculture, and rustic wood furniture maker. Keith started working with Road Scholar in 2011.

Andre Entermann

Originally from Southern California, Andre Entermann grew up surfing and wanting to be a firefighter. After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, a visit to Lopez Island in 2005 stirred a stronger desire for a simpler life. In 2008, he relocated to Lopez and began working as a farm apprentice. He met Elizabeth Metcalf in 2012, who shared his dream of owning a dairy. In 2014, the Washington State Department of Agriculture granted Sunnyfield Farm a license to sell raw goat milk and cheese.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok spent his early summers in the San Juan Islands immersed in Orca whale culture. As a researcher for the Center for Whale Research, he became intimately familiar with the Southern Resident Orca whale population as they traveled through the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia. Kelley's experiences with whales led him to a career in the media communication field, developing a greater appreciation and understanding of the beauty and diversity of the San Juan Islands and surrounding region along the way.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking between 1-2 miles over the course of each day, with some paved paths, and some dirt or uneven paths or trails with exposed roots. Standing up to one hour in museums and outdoor classroom locations. Elevators unavailable at most locations. Buses do not have lifts.

Suggested Books and Resources

View Full List

You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!

Call 800-454-5768

Start Enrolling

Enroll with Confidence

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.