It has been proven that having and spending more money doesn’t necessarily make you happier. What does though is fun, fulfilling experiences, deep awe of nature and making memories with your family. Gorgeous San Juan Island offers tons of things to do, which aren’t expensive at all or even free. Come on up and spend an entire weekend doing things for under $10 each.

Nestled in the woods behind Roche Harbor Resort, amidst a field of blooming daisies, find a mysterious outdoor stage. On beautiful July nights this becomes the site of Shakespeare under the Stars, Island Stage Left’s annual, outdoor Shakespeare Festival.

San Juan Island is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, abundant wildlife, rich history, amazing food and big city cultural offerings (okay, not BIG city, but trust us, you’ll be impressed). And still…there is more than meets the eye on your first, second or even your third visit.

Every Dad needs only so many ties and tool boxes. Why not mix it up this year and treat your Dad to an island getaway instead? Beautiful San Juan Island offers adventures in Mother Nature for every kind of Father:

People come from all over the world to watch Orca whales in the waters around San Juan Island. There are tons of tour operators offering whale watch tours of different lengths on various boats and they are all fabulous. How to pick the one right for you and yours? Here are our 3 favorite whale watch tours and why:

May is Wildflower Month in the San Juan Islands. Forest floors, hills and fields are carpeted with Buttercups, Fawn Lilies, Blue Camas, Indian Paintbrush and Chocolate Lilies, to mention a few of the over 50 wildflowers native to the archipelago.

The fresh seafood available on San Juan Island justifies a visit to the island all on its own. Even more fun is to visit a working shellfish farm and shuck your own succulent bivalves, harvested just hours before. It doesn’t get any fresher than that.

You will always remember how she looked out over the ocean when you slipped the ring in her glass and she turned around right then and cried out: Look, Baby, whales!