Natalie Browning Lopez Island: A Gemstone of the West Coast The San Juan Islands, with their glorious wildlife, breathtaking sunsets, and numerous tourist attractions, are just one of the many amazing must-‐see sites of the west coast. More specifically, Lopez Island caters to not only the excitement of the tourist but also to the peaceful yearnings of vacationers who are looking for less of the “hustle and bustle” pace. To get there, all it takes is a forty-‐minute ferry ride from Anacortes, Washington. Visitors can even drive their cars right onto the lower levels of the ferry to allow easier transportation around the island (which tourists will definitely want as there are so many beautiful sights to see). Mother Nature at Her Finest Lopez Island is home to some of the greatest scenic drives, walks, and hikes on the west coast. Shark Reef Sanctuary is one of several parks that attract tourists in the San Juan Islands. After following a charming wooded trail through dense foliage, hikers will come out to a lovely rocky hillside overlooking the San Juan Channel. The rocks at the water’s edge and a small island across the water display a variety of marine animals from otters to sea lions to even whales! And the nearby trees provide lodging for many types of fowl, including the nation’s own majestic bird, the bald eagle. Here hikers can watch the deer roam the woods or dig for clams in the moist sand. Much to Do Lopez Island has something to offer everyone. Travelers can get a closer look at the marine life by kayaking around Lopez Sound and other adjacent bodies of water. You may want to go crabbing and clamming, or perhaps take a peaceful hike or bike ride along Lopez Island’s beautiful wooded trails and beaches. Lopez Island’s main village contains shops, a bookstore, a general store, a few small restaurants, and one main grocery store (the Red Apple Village Market). However, visitors should note when making their grocery lists that shopping will need to be planned ahead of time—the market closes by 7p.m.7:00 p.m.! Neighboring Adventures Another fabulous aspect of Lopez Island is how close it is to other tourist attractions. If visitors are looking for a more exciting atmosphere, they can take a day trip,, ferry across the channel to San Juan,, and stop by Friday Harbor for some of Washington’s special Marion berry ice cream. Or, they can visit the many tourist attractions there from open-‐air shops and a boardwalk to whale watching and art galleries. Orcas Island is another member of the San Juan Islands that beckons hikers, cyclists, and those wanting a scenic drive. With its glorious views and whale-‐watching points, Orcas Island is a tranquil haven for daydreamers and photographers. No matter what kind of traveler one is, he or she is bound to find something wonderful at or near Lopez Island.
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