As the chillest of the San Juan Islands, some of the best things to do on Lopez Island involve slowing down. One trip here and you’ll understand why: locals of “the friendly isle” always wave as you pass by and there’s only one gas station on the entire island.
If you’re not familiar with Lopez Island, it’s the easternmost of the San Juan Islands, the chain of islands about 2 hours north of Seattle sitting in the Salish Sea between Washington’s mainland and Vancouver Island, Canada. It’s only 15 miles long with 63 miles of shoreline and 2,500 year-round residents, which means this is the best island to visit if you want to avoid people and relax in nature.
If you’re ready to hop on the ferry and explore this quiet gem of Washington state, here are the things to do on Lopez Island.
This post has affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click on them and make a purchase. This is a small way I earn money to support this site. If links aren’t showing up for you, turn off your ad blocking software. Thank you for your support!
Best Things to Do on Lopez Island
Lopez Island can be explored in one day if you rush, but 2-3 is best to be able to explore everything the island has to offer at a leisurely pace.
Visit Point Colville
Point Colville is my favorite thing to do on Lopez Island. It’s a short hike on the southeastern tip of the island that starts in the forest but then opens up to breathtaking views of the Salish Sea. This flat hike weaves along the cliffs, but is not scary at all. Instead it gently takes you through swaying grass and along the cliff’s edge, giving you uninterrupted views of the turquoise waters.
I said to Dan that this was the best place I’ve ever been in Washington. It reminds me of the southern part of the Road to Hana in Maui, one of my favorite places in the world. I can’t believe a similar view exists in Washington state!
Picnic at Watmough Bay
A short drive away from Point Colville is Watmough Bay. You can actually hike between the two if you’re interested, or park at the small designated parking area a short walk away from the beach.
Similar to Point Colville you’ll start in the woods, but soon the gravel road opens up into a cove that feels like a secret spot you’d discover along the Amalfi Coast in Italy. It’s protected by a half circle of looming cliffs and the water is bright turquoise. If you’re lucky, you’ll see seals playing in the shallow waters.
Pro tip: Grab wine and snacks from Vita’s in Lopez Village to take on a picnic.
Explore Odlin County Park
Odlin County Park is one mile from the ferry terminal and is a popular camping spot. It’s a peaceful beach with benches, a baseball field, fire pits, and areas to park an RV or tent. It’s only a short drive from Lopez Village so it’s a great spot to bring lunch and relax by the water.
Walk Spencer Spit State Park
Spencer Spit State Park is a breathtaking area also near the ferry terminal that is a popular spot for camping. After a short hike through the woods, you’ll be let out onto a large sandy spit that separates the Salish Sea and a water preserve full of birds and grassy flora. It can get windy here, so bring a jacket!
Hike Lopez Hill
Lopez Hill is the place to go if you want a more traditional uphill hike that’s still fairly easy. You get to it via a small access road filled with pot holes, so drive carefully. It’s also not super clear how to get to the parking lot, so I recommend using Google Maps for the Lopez Hill Trailhead but paying attention to when there’s a fork in the road. You’ll see it says “Lopez Hill” on the sign nestled between the fork, but it doesn’t say where to go. The trick is to keep right.
From the parking lot you’ll find a small trail network that’s about 3-4 miles. You can get to the top of the hill in about 2 miles, and when you do you’ll be met with a grassy knoll to relax before going back down.
Pro tip: Want another “hike hike”? Check out Iceberg Point for an easy 3-mile trail with great views of the Olympic Peninsula.
Rent kayaks
Lopez is a great spot for kayaking thanks to, you know, being an island. You can rent kayaks through Lopez Bicycle Works and Kayaks and take one of the routes recommended based on time duration or difficulty. If you’ve always hoped to spot an orca, read my guide about the best times to kayak with orcas.
Tour the island by bike
Lopez is the island best known for biking among all the San Juan Islands. In fact, each April the island hosts a fundraiser called Tour de Lopez where people come from all over the Pacific Northwest to bike the island’s rolling hills.
If you like biking, either bring your bike from home or rent one at Lopez Bicycle Works and Kayaks.
Visit Lopez Village
Lopez Village is the commercial hub of Lopez Island about 4.5 miles from the ferry terminal, but don’t expect a buzzing metropolis. You can see the whole village by turning 360 degrees. It only takes up about 2-3 blocks!
Stop by the Lopez Island Historical Society & Museum to learn more about the coastal tribes that lived on the island before Scandinavian settlers landed in 1850.
The museum also upkeeps the Port Stanley Schoolhouse, the oldest standing schoolhouse on the island that was in operation between 1917 and 1941. It’s a little ways from downtown, but a cool sight if you like historic structures!
Go whale watching
The San Juan Islands are best known for whale watching. If you’ve always wanted to see orcas and humpbacks, book a tour with a company like Outer Island Excursions. You’ll also see a ton of other wildlife and get interesting commentary from expert guides.
Eat at Lopez Island’s best restaurants
There aren’t a lot of dining options on Lopez Island, so schedule your takeout order or reservation in advance. This will help you stay mindful of closing hours, since restaurants don’t stay open past about 7 pm on the island.
Ursa minor
Ursa Minor is the best restaurant on Lopez Island. In fact, it’s on my list of restaurants worth the drive from Seattle because it’s so good.
It’s a fine dining restaurant focusing on hyper local ingredients manipulated into beautifully-plated dishes. During the pandemic they served more casual sandwiches, which is what I had the last time I visit.
Even though these more casual dishes aren’t available anymore, Ursa Minor will blow you away. Their fried chicken sandwich is one of the best I’ve had in awhile, and their burger would rival some of the best burgers in Seattle. So if you can only make it to one restaurant, make sure this one is it!
Setsunai
If you can make it to two restaurants on Lopez Island, make sure Setsunai is on it. This noodle bar in Lopez Village is serving yummy udon and ramen dishes. If available, get the burnt leak and beef udon soup and the gyoza. They are both so flavorful…you can really tell the difference in the grass-fed beef they source for both dishes.
El Taco About it
El Taco About It has been serving at the Lopez Island Farmers Market since 2015, but they opened a food truck in 2021. They have a revolving menu of tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. But one of the staples you should definitely get is the pastor pork. You can enjoy it on a nearby picnic table while people watching.
barn owl bakery
Barn Owl Bakery grows and uses grains from Lopez Island farmers in their baked goods. All of their ingredients are organic and they don’t use any manufactured yeasts, but rather wild leaven from the area.
A visit here is one of the best things to do on Lopez Island because it truly gives you a taste of place. The ambiance feels like you’re at secret spot only locals know about: they serve right out of their barn in a residential area of the island.
If you’re able to make it at 3:30 pm on Thursday or Friday, that’s when their fresh bread comes out of the oven. They also sell handmade larder goods like butter from Ursa Minor. On your way, keep your eyes peeled for roadside stands from locals selling chicken and duck eggs using the honor’s system (a.k.a. they won’t be manning the stand!).
holly b’s bakery
Holly B’s Bakery is a popular bakery right in Lopez Village. While I didn’t love all the baked goods we tried, I recommend grabbing one of their cinnamon buns if available. Then walk over to Isabel’s Espresso for a cup of coffee to enjoy with your breakfast.
Note, Holly B’s is looking to sell their bakery so they may not be open for long.
lopez island creamery
Lopez Island Creamery is served inside Just Heavenly Fudge in Lopez Village. Grab some ice cream to enjoy by the Fisherman’s Bay Preserve nearby. And don’t forget to grab some fudge to take home. I loved the peanut butter chocolate flavor.
Taste locally-made wine
Lopez Island Vineyards is the only winery on Lopez Island. While they source some eastern Washington grapes to use in their red wines, they also grow white grapes right on the island. I recommend getting their Siegerrebe white wine from the food store. It’s a funky white grape only grown in the Puget Sound AVA. It’s dry and floral at the same time, which makes it one of the best Washington wines in my opinion.
Note, unfortunately their tasting room is no longer open for wine tasting. But you can arrange wine pick up directly or buy their bottles at the grocery store.
Go to the farmers market
The Lopez Island Farmers Market runs every Saturday May through September 10 AM – 2 PM. It’s tiny, but it features local vendors selling their produce and artisan products (including Lopez Island Vineyards). Stop here for a quick gander and to find some Pacific Northwest food gifts to bring home.
Catch sunset at Shark Reef Sanctuary
Shark Reef Sanctuary is one of the best things to do on Lopez Island if you want to see some seals. This hike is on the southwestern part of the island and takes you about a half-mile through the woods to the coastline, where it meanders along the water for about another 0.3 miles.
When you get to the end, take a look at the rocks not too far from shore. You’ll likely find mounds of seals lounging upon each other. Since some of the traveling orca whales eat seals (the resident pods don’t), you may also see orca whales looking for their next snack. So if whale watching is high on your bucket list, this is the best place on land to do it from!
Take the ferry to other San Juan Islands
Lopez Island is small and mostly residential. So if you’ll be here for an extended stay consider visiting one of these other San Juan Islands:
- San Juan Island – The most populous of the islands and my favorite
- Orcas Island – The largest of the islands and a great destination for shopping
- Lummi Island – Not technically one of the San Juan Islands, but nearby
Map of Lopez Island activities
See where all these best things to do on Lopez Island are in relation to each other. You’ll also find a few other things to do that are still on my list to try.
Stops on the way to Lopez Island
You’ll be driving by some awesome areas in Washington on your way north from Seattle to Lopez Island. Here are some ideas of where to stop along the way.
- Fun Things to Do in Skagit County, WA
- Best Restaurants in Skagit Valley
- Best Things to do on Camano Island
- Best Camano Island Restaurants
- What to Do on Whidbey Island Off the Beaten Path
- Whidbey Island Wineries Worth a Visit
- Whidbey Island Restaurants to Seek Out
- Restaurants in Edmonds Worth the Drive From Seattle
Want help planning a San Juan Islands trip? Let me plan a custom trip for you!
