Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Doing the Lopez Wave
Want to feel like a Lopez Island native? As you drive the island, give pass-
ing cars a quick wave of the hand. Among the friendly residents of this
island, the drivers' greeting is so commonplace that it has come to be
known as the Lopez Wave.
Military Road (about a mile north of Lopez Village in the northwest corner of
the island). This secluded park has a short beach and is often totally deserted. A
little farther south and over on the east side of the island, you'll find
Spencer
Spit State Park
(
&
360/468-2251
), which also has a campground. Here, the
forest meets the sea on a rocky beach that looks across a narrow channel to Frost
Island. You can hike the trails through the forest or explore the beach. South of
Lopez Village on Bay Shore Road, you'll find the small
Otis Perkins Park,
which is between Fisherman Bay and the open water and has one of the longest
beaches on the island.
Down at the south end of the island, you'll find the tiny
Shark Reef Sanctu-
ary
, where a short trail leads through the forest to a rocky stretch of coast
that is among the prettiest on all the ferry-accessible islands. Small islands off-
shore create strong currents that swirl past the rocks here. Seals and occasionally
whales can be seen just offshore. This is a great spot for a picnic.
BIKING
Because of its size, lack of traffic, numerous parks, and relatively
flat terrain, Lopez is a favorite of cyclists. You can rent bikes for $5 to $20 an
hour or $25 to $65 a day from
Lopez Bicycle Works & Kayaks,
2847 Fisher-
man Bay Rd. (
&
360/468-2847;
www.lopezbicycleworks.com), at the marina
on Fisherman Bay Road.
SEA KAYAKING
If you want to explore the island's coastline by kayak,
contact
Lopez Island Sea Kayaks
(
&
360/468-2847;
www.lopezkayaks.com),
which is located at the marina on Fisherman Bay Road and is open May through
October. Tours cost $75 for a full-day trip with lunch included. Single kayaks
can also be rented here for $12 to $25 per hour, or $25 to $50 per half day.
Double kayaks rent for $20 to $35 per hour and $40 to $60 per half day.
WHERE TO STAY
Edenwild Inn
Located right in Lopez Village, this modern Victorian
B&B is a good choice if you've come here to bike or want to use your car as lit-
tle as possible. Within a block of the inn are all the island's best restaurants. Most
of the guest rooms here are quite large, and most have views of the water. All the
rooms have interesting antique furnishings, and several have fireplaces. In sum-
mer, colorful gardens surround the inn, and guests can breakfast on a large brick
patio. The front veranda, overlooking Fisherman Bay, is a great place to relax in
the afternoon.
132 Lopez Rd. (P.O. Box 271), Lopez Island, WA 98261.
&
800/606-0662
or 360/468-3238. www.edenwild
inn.com. 8 units. $110-$170 double. Lower rates Oct-Mar. Rates include full breakfast. AE, MC, V. In room:
No phone.
Lopez Farm Cottages and Tent Camping
Set on 30 acres of pas-
tures, old orchards, and forest between the ferry landing and Lopez Village, these
modern cottages are tucked into a grove of cedar trees on the edge of a large lawn
(in the middle of which stand several huge boulders). From the outside, the
board-and-batten cottages look like old farm buildings, but inside you'll find a
Value
