When the Summer is over, San Juan Islanders invite you to Savor the San Juans. Savor is a celebration of all senses, from the end of September to mid-November, speckled with parades, harvest festivals, and other fun events around food, music and art. Most hotels offer fabulously priced lodging specials. Most restaurants feature enticing dinner specials, made freshly from the island’s abundant harvest. This is the time to visit gorgeous San Juan Island and all it has to offer without breaking the bank.
TOUR THE FARMS
Join San Juan Vineyards for their Harvest Festival in early October. Harvest Siegerrebe grapes side by side with islanders and visitors, taste their wines, enjoy live music and good food.
Tour the Pelindaba Lavender Farm, pick your own lavender and check out their fabulous, island-made, certified organic products.
Visit Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm, their cute herd and store with all things made from Alpaca wool.
Insider Tip: Buy Pelindaba’s luscious lavender lotion in travel-sized, festive bottles as gifts.
FRIDAY HARBOR BIKE AND BREW
This fun fundraiser for the local Lions Foundation in late September combines a terrific bicycle tour of the island with an evening of island grown food and local and regional microbrews.
Insider Tip: Pair your seafood paella with a crisp pale ale.
FARMER’S MARKET
Fall is when the Saturday’s Farmer’s Market is at its best. Abundant local produce, meats, cheeses, seafood, delicious ready-to-eat food, arts and crafts and live music await.
Don’t miss the adorable Fall Farm Parade and island chef chili cook-off on early October.
Insider Tip: Buy some fresh crusty bread, island-made cheese and a good bottle of wine before heading to the beach for a picnic.
RESTAURANTS
San Juan Island is a locavore’s paradise any time of the year, but in Fall island chefs really get cooking. Ask for the Savor special when dining in small Farm-to-Table restaurants. Many places will offer a set menu/set price deal your taste buds and purse won’t be able to resist.
Insider Tip: Check out the fabulous COHO restaurant. They are open year-round and on all holidays, have amazing specials and frequent Chef’s dinner events.
FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL
In early November Friday Harbor puts on a world-class documentary film festival, which aims to entertain, inspire and enlighten. Films are selected for their significance to the Pacific Rim with an emphasis on environmentalism. There is an opening Gala, workshops, meet and greets with directors and producers, and an award ceremony. Everything in Friday Harbor is in walking distance. It is so much fun to meander from venue to venue and stop for a drink or a snack between films.
Insider Tip: Go to the Opening Gala at the lovely San Juan Community Theater to meet all the famous people.