San Juan Islands

San Juan Islands Family Multisport

Biking, Hiking & Sea Kayaking Washington's Islands of Adventure

Midway between mainland Washington and Vancouver Island sit the San Juans, an idyllic cluster of hilly islands that offer a wealth of outdoor pursuits. There is a magical combination of natural beauty, welcome solitude and an easygoing pace of life - one you'll adopt before you know it. Our multisport adventure is a perfect way for your family to experience what Northwest island life is about. Explore scenic Friday and Roche Harbors on historic San Juan Island, journey to rugged Orcas Island and pedal on peaceful Lopez Island. Each isle has a unique appeal, and each activity you choose - be it biking, walking, paddling or simply sitting back and savoring the view - provides a different perspective of the area's natural attractions. And at night, enjoy the comforts of two waterfront resorts.

Trip Highlights
  • Explore San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands by foot, bike and kayak
  • Paddle peaceful inlets above vast kelp beds, spotting harbor seals, otters and bald eagles
  • Look for tiny sea creatures in the tide pools at False Bay
  • A wildlife-watching cruise and the chance to see orcas
  • Mount Constitution, with 360-degree mountain and island views
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The Day-to-Day Itinerary

Days 1-2 Explore San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands by foot, bike and kayak Catch the ferry bound for San Juan Island and Friday Harbor, whose quaint streets, lined with shops and galleries, invite a stroll Savor a bountiful picnic at historic British Camp, then walk to the summit of Young Hill for a sweeping view of the San Juan Islands Bike along the stunning west side of the island to a bluff with vistas of Haro Strait and enjoy a thrilling descent to Cattle Point Lighthouse  Kids have fun searching for creatures in the tide pools at False Bay.

Day 3 A sea-kayaking excursion through peaceful inlets and vast kelp beds Bike to Friday Harbor, pedaling along rolling hills through bucolic farmland In town, visit the Whale Museum and learn about marine mammals, with a special focus on the orcas that frequent the waters off the San Juan Islands.

Day 4 A wildlife-watching cruise to Orcas Island gives you the chance to view orcas, eagles, osprey, herons and harbor seals in their natural habitat Hike along the cedar-lined shores of Cascade Lake Kids whoop it up during a night out at the Fun House, an interactive center designed especially for children.

Days 5-6 Waterfront lodging and fresh Northwest cuisine Ferry to Lopez Island to take advantage of its gentler terrain and beautiful rural scenery Back on Orcas, ascend Mount Constitution for 360-degree views of the islands, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and the Olympic Range.

Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!

This was our best family vacation! Our leaders were just wonderful - helpful, friendly and working constantly to make a perfect trip for us. The kids adored them. We are already thinking of where we should go next year with Backroads. Thank you!
Siesel Maibach - San Francisco, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews

For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here.

San Juan Islands Family Multisport

Casual Inns

Roche Harbor Resort
Roche Harbor Resort

San Juan Island (3 nights) Originally a log trading post built in the mid-1800s and later an 1880s lime-industry complex, this popular island destination is located in the charming waterfront hamlet of Roche Harbor. (pool, tennis)

Outlook Inn
Outlook Inn

Orcas Island (2 nights) Featuring a private beach, this historic country house was built as a cabin in the 1800s and is now one of Orcas Island's most venerated landmarks.

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San Juan Islands Family Multisport

Routes For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Biking Average Walking Average
1 2-3 hours 10-20 miles 2-5 miles
2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
Kid-Friendly Routes
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • Hiking 2 miles
  • 625 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
  • Biking 7, 13, 33 miles
  • 0 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
  • Biking 6, 11, 22 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
  • Sea Kayaking 3 hours 
Day 4
  • Level 1  1 Route Option Available
  • Hiking 2.5 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
  • Wildlife-Watching Cruise 3 hours 
Day 5
  • Levels 1 to 3 4 Route Options Available
  • Biking 14, 20, 26, 31 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Levels 1 to 3  2 Route Options Available
  • Hiking 1.5, 4.5 miles
  • 300 - 2100 feet elevation gain
Please note: On this Family Trip, our routes follow rolling terrain. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.

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