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.
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Orcas Hotel Cafe
18 Orcas Hill RdOne 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.
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Brown Bear Baking
29 N Beach RdThere'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.
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Hogstone's Wood Oven
460 Main StIf 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.
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The Madrona Bar & Grill
310 Main StThe 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.
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New Leaf Cafe
171 Main StNew 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.
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The Lower Tavern
46 Prune AlleyThe 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).
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Mijitas Mexican Kitchen
310 A StMijitas 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.
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The Barnacle
249 Prune AlleyIf 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).
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Island Hoppin' Brewery
33 Hope LnIf 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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Moran ríkisparkur
3572 Olga RdWith 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."
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Turtleback Mountain South Trailhead
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!)
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The Orcas Island Historical Museum
181 N Beach RdStop 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 StIsland 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).
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Country Corner Market and Deli
837 Crescent Beach DrCountry 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 DockMost 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.