You love them, your family. You long to get them all together, hold the new baby, see all the kids grow up, lovingly tease your siblings, hug your grandpa. But your house is too small and your husband is allergic to the albeit cute dog that your brother insists on bringing everywhere. Then there is the food issue: grandma is diabetic, your aunt can’t do gluten and your nephew has just become a vegan. Where will they all sleep? How will you keep them entertained?

Beautiful San Juan Island, nestled in Washington State between the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island, lays in the so-called Olympic Rain Shadow. Where Seattle is drenched in 58 inches of rain per year, San Juan Island experiences 250 sunny days per year with only 29 inches of yearly rainfall. And when you come visit on day number 251? Do not worry! Friday Harbor and San Juan Island offer an abundance of things to do, rain or shine!

Winter is spectacular on San Juan Island. The Olympic Rain Shadow allows for crystal clear, sunny days to make you feel at times like you have landed in the Caribbean, but without the palm trees.