Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
delicious dishes. This is the sort of place you at first think is too expensive and
then later realize was absolutely your favorite restaurant in the islands. The menu
changes regularly, but look for tiger-prawn pasta, halibut chowder, a fried-oys-
ter Caesar salad, and a Monte Cristo sandwich made with fresh-baked brioche.
If you're full, looking at the dessert menu is tantamount to self-flagellation.
There's also a very eclectic gift shop on the premises.
Olga Road, Olga.
&
360/376-5862.
www.olgasonorcas.com. Main courses $10-$16. MC, V. Daily 9am-5pm.
The Sunflower Café
NORTHWEST Located in the village of East-
sound, this casual and eclectic restaurant serves some of the most creative cuisine
on the island, and whether you come for lunch, dinner, or even Sunday brunch,
you'll likely leave pleasantly surprised by your meal here. Sure you can start your
meal with a good cup of oyster stew, but you might also encounter African peanut
soup or steamed clams in cilantro-lime broth. At lunch try the mahimahi tacos
or the grilled halibut sandwich. At dinner, the pumpkin-seed and cumin-dusted
halibut is a winner.
A St. and Prune Alley, Eastsound.
&
360/376-2335.
Reservations recommended. Main courses $9-$12
lunch, $18-$20 dinner. MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30-8:30pm; Sat-Sun 8:30am-2:30pm and
5:30-8:30pm.
LOPEZ ISLAND
Of the three islands with accommodations, Lopez is the least developed.
Although it is less spectacular than Orcas or San Juan, it is flatter, which makes
it popular with bicyclists who often prefer easy grades to stunning panoramas.
Lopez maintains more of its agricultural roots than either of the two previously
mentioned islands, and likewise has fewer activities for tourists. If you just want
to get away from it all and hole up with a good book for a few days, Lopez may
be the place for you.
EXPLORING THE ISLAND
Lopez Village
is the closest this island has to a town, and here you'll find almost
all of the island's restaurants and shops. Here in the village, you'll also find the
Lopez Island Historical Museum
(
&
360/468-2049
), where you can learn
about the island's history and pick up a map of historic buildings. In July and
August the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4pm. In
May, June, and September, it's open Friday through Sunday from noon to 4pm.
Lopez Island Vineyards
, 724B Fisherman Bay Rd. (
&
360/468-3644;
www.lopezislandvineyards.com), located between the ferry landing and Lopez
Village, was until recently the only winery that actually made wine from fruit
grown here in the San Juans. Both their Siegerrebe and Madeleine Angevine are
from local grapes, as are their organic fruit wines. They also make wines from
grapes grown in the Yakima Valley. In summer, the winery tasting room is open
Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5pm; spring and fall, it's open on
Friday and Saturday from noon to 5pm.
SPORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Eight county parks, one state park, and various Bureau of Land Management
and San Juan County Land Bank properties provide plenty of access to the
woods and water on Lopez Island. The first park off the ferry is
Odlin County
Park
(
&
360/468-2496
), which has a long beach, picnic tables, and a camp-
ground. Athletic fields make this more of a community sports center than a nat-
ural area, so this should be a last resort camping choice. For a more natural
setting within a short easy hike, check out
Upright Channel Park,
which is on
