Eastsound
Eastsound is the commercial hub and largest population center on Orcas Island, in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. Artists, craftspeople and chefs from across the island operate shops along its short waterfront and lively main street, while those seeking the quiet island life come here to outfit their stay.
This article also covers the rural east half of Orcas Island, including the small communities of π Doe Bay, π Olga and π Rosario.
Understand
Orcas Island is shaped like a horseshoe: the East Sound is the long inlet at the center, and Eastsound is the community at the end of the inlet, at the top of the arch.
- π Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, 65 North Beach Rd, β +1 360-376-2273. 10-3PM, closed Tuesdays.
.svg.png)
History
Steamboats of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet used to dock at East Sound. One such vessel was the Sioux, a steel steamship built in 1910 and running out of Bellingham under the ownership of the Black Ball Line.
As the economy of the island transitioned from agriculture to tourism in the mid-1900s, the centrally-located Eastsound emerged as the island's services center.
Get in
By car
From the Orcas Village ferry terminal, take Orcas Road about 8 mi (13 km) north into town.
By shuttle
- OrcaShuttle, β +1 206 705-3999. Spring and summer.
By seaplane
- Kenmore Air, toll-free: +1-866-435-9524, fax: +1 425 485-4774, reservations@KenmoreAir.com. Kenmore Air seaplanes make several flights daily from downtown Seattle's Lake Union to seven locations in the San Juan Islands including Eastsound at the Rosario Resort. Kenmore Air Express also offers daily land plane service between Seattle's Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI IATA) and Friday Harbor Airport (FRD IATA). Complimentary shuttle transfers are available to/from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA IATA) for passengers on either Kenmore Air service. A quick and spectacular, though not cheap, way to arrive. $75-139.
By boat
- π Rosario Harbor, 1608 Rosario Rd (on Cascade Bay halfway up East Sound's eastern shore, at Moran Mansion), β +1 360-472-4866, rosarioboats@gmail.com. The marina offers over 36 slips and eight mooring buoys. Has fuel dock, trash services, power and water. Use channel VHF 78A
Get around
- Orcas Island Rental Car (Car delivered at time and location you specify.), β +1 360 376-7433, email@orcasislandrentalcar.com. Used but clean cars, mini-vans and convertibles. Delivered to you anywhere on Orcas Island. When you are done with the car, just lock the keys in it and leave; they come pick it up. Available year-round. 4-door midsize car $64.95, mini-van $84.95, convertible $104.95.
By bike
Perhaps the most pleasant way to get around the island, especially if you aren't in a hurry, is by bicycle. You can bring your own bike on the ferry, or rent one at various outlets around the island.
- π Wildlife Cycles, 350 North Beach Rd, β +1 360-376-4708. A full-service bicycle shop - rentals, sales, repairs, accessories.
See
- π Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 242 Main St, β +1 360-376-2352. ServicesΛ Su 8AM &10AM, Th 12Λ15PM, OfficeΛ Th F 9AM-1PM. Constructed in 1885, it is the oldest church in the San Juan Islands.
- π Orcas Island Historical Museum, 181 North Beach Rd, β +1 360 376-4849.
Moran State Park
- π Moran State Park, 3572 Olga Road, Olga, β +1 360 376-2326, moran@parks.wa.gov.
This park is 5,252 acres (2,125 hectares) with five freshwater lakes and over 30 miles of hiking trails, including Mount Constitution. Seattle mayor and shipbuilder Robert Moran granted the land surrounding his Rosario residence to the state in 1921. This tract now holds the largest old growth forest in the islands.
A Discover Pass is required to park at Moran State Park and most other Washington State Parks. The pass costs $10 for one day, or $30 for one year from the purchase date. A pass is linked to a license plate number. Passes can be purchased at various locations within the park.
- π Mount Constitution. The highest point in the San Juan Islands, at 2,400 ft (730 m).
- Summit Visitor Center (at the peak of Mount Constitution). Displays about the Civilian Conservation Corps, the traditional Coast Salish people, a raised relief map of the park andβ―a gift shop.
- Observation Tower (at the peak of Mount Constitution). The austere 53 ft (16 m) stone tower commands sweeping marine views from the highest point in the San Juan Islands. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, with a design inspired by Russian watchtowers from the 12th century.
- π Cascade Falls (trailheads on Mt Constitution Rd and Olga Rd). A 0.25 mi (0.40 km) but steep walk to a 41 ft (12 m) waterfall, without a lookout deck above the falls and access to the rocky Cascade Creek below. Continue east along the trail to see a series of smaller waterfalls along the next 0.5 mi (0.80 km).
Do
- π Magic Air Biplane Tours, 109 Schoen Ln (Orcas Island Airport), β +1 760 688-6679, biplanerides@outlook.com. allows you to see the entire island from a bird's-eye view.
- π Obstruction Pass State Park, Olga (1 mi (1.6 km) SE of Olga), β +1 360-376-2326, moran@parks.wa.gov. Summer 6:30AM-dusk, winter 8AM-dusk. 76 acres (31 hectares) of forest and beach at the southern tip of the island. Includes 2 mi (3.2 km) of trail. Discover Pass required.
- π Cold Springs Trail to Mt. Constitution, Olga Rd (at Cascade Lake, next to North End Campground). 4.3 mi (6.9 km) one-way, 2,400 ft (730 m) gain. Climb through coastal old growth forest to the highest point in the islands, passing a CCC shelter on the way.
Buy
North Beach Rd and the short waterfront stretch of Main St are lined with galleries, souvenir stores and boutique shops. Prune Alley also has some restaurants mixed in with more utilitarian retail and services.
- π Darvill's Bookstore, 296 Main St, β +1 360 376-2135. Classic island book store with lots of great books, cards, and gifts, with an emphasis on local authors. The coffee bar in the back is a great place for a cup of afternoon tea a double espresso while staring out at the bay.
- π Orcas Island Farmers Market, North Beach Rd (Village Green). Sa 10AM-2PM, May-Sep.
- π Orcas Island Market, 469 Market St, β +1 360-376-6000. 7AMβ9PM. The largest, best-stocked grocery store on the island.
Eat
- π Brown Bear Baking, 29 North Beach Rd (at Main St), β +1 360-855-7456, info@brownbearbaking.com. F-M 8AM-4PM. An array of decadent sweet and savory pastries from two classically-trained bakers. Everybody remarks about the bear claws.
Drink
- π The Lower Tavern, 46 Prune Alley, β +1 360 376-4848. More than just a pub, holds bragging rights for best burger in town.
Sleep
- π The Outlook Inn, 171 Main St, β +1 360-376-2200, info@outlookinn.com. This Inn is a perfect location for a relaxing retreat. The location places it in the middle of the island. All of your outdoor sights and sounds are easily accessible. Best of all, the setting is idyllic.
- π Rosario Village Resort (Moran Mansion), 1400 Rosario Rd, β +1 360 376-2222, toll-free: +1-800-562-8820. Perhaps the most famous resort in the San Juan Islands, this grand hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has its own restaurants, spa, marina and sea plane launch. Built by the well known Seattle ship builder Thomas Moran in 1905, the Moran Mansionβsurrounded at that time by 7,800 acres (32 km2) of landβthat is now the centerpiece of Rosario Resort.
Campgrounds
- Moran State Park. The park has four campgrounds with 124 standard and six hiker/biker campsites. No electrical hookup sites available. Maximum site length is 45 feet. There is one dump station, five restrooms and 10 showers. Reservations through the State Parks website recommended.
- π Obstruction Pass State Park. 9 first-come, first-served primitive campsites on the south end of the park, 0.6 mi (0.97 km) from the parking area. If you kayak or canoe in, one Cascadia Marine Trail campsite is available. Two composting toilets nearby.
Connect
- π Eastsound Post Office, 221 A St # 1, β +1 360 376-4121.