San Juan islands

If you're considering Friday Harbor, you might also consider parking the car in Anacortes and walking on the ferry, which docks in the heart of FH. There are buses and a shuttle (the Jolly Trolley) to Lime Kiln State Park, where you can often see orcas. FH is pretty hilly, so bear that in mind. If you want to take a car on the ferry, you will need a reservation, which can be difficult/impossible to get at short notice. If you are able to travel on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, you will have better luck. Additional reservations are released at 7am two days before sailing. You don't need a reservation to walk on. Accommodation could be difficult to secure on short notice, as well.

I have no advice to give, I'm just jumping on to relate my San Juan Islands story.

I used to be in the Royal Canadian Navy. Every December, we would take a small ship and a patrol boat from Esquimalt (near Victoria) and bring Santa, presents and our band to many of the small villages in the nearby (but American) San Juan Islands. The locals would invite us all in to their community halls for hot chocolate and snacks. We had a real looking Santa and all the kids would feel so amazed that Santa found their little island. We overnighted in Friday Harbor, but the stops I remember were to the tiny places: Stuart Island, Waldron Island, and Deer Harbor on Orcas Island.

A little Canadian-American friendship back in days when that was easier.

Darren, I love your story. It is heartwarming - we all need right now.

Visited San Juan Island a while back. We also had a car.

So we stayed at a B&B outside of Friday harbor named Trumpeter Inn. Very nice breakfast and they had llamas in their pasture.

We took a whale watching cruise with San Juan Excursions
https://www.watchwhales.com/_whale_watching_tours.html

and liked it a lot, though there are other whale watching companies

we had dinner in town at Downriggers overlooking the harbor
https://www.downriggerssanjuan.com

and also a fancy dinner outside of town at Duck Soup Restaurant
https://www.ducksoupsanjuans.com

we also discovered a free professional theatre called island stage left and drove out for the show. No idea what show they're doing this summer.

And we drove around San Juan Island visiting the San Juan Island National Park- both the American Camp and the English Camp. had to get my NPS passport stamp, of course.

we also visited the San Juan Island sculpture park and a lavender farm.

Hope you can get ferry reservations for your car at this short date. Book NOW