Best San Juan Islands Washington Travel Books of 2026

Lonely Planet Pacific Northwest's Best Trips 5 is a comprehensive guide for exploring the Pacific Northwest via the road. It features 32 amazing road trips, from 2-day escapes to 2-week adventures, covering the Pacific Coast, the Willamette Valley, the Cascade Mountains, and more. The book provides up-to-date information, lavish color and gorgeous photography throughout, itineraries and planning advice, insider tips, and essential info at your fingertips. It also includes honest reviews for all budgets, useful features, and covers hidden gems that most guidebooks miss. Overall, this book is perfect for exploring the Pacific Northwest by car, and it is a must-have for anyone planning a road trip in the region.

Moon San Juan Islands is a comprehensive travel guide that offers flexible itineraries for exploring the best of the islands, including gateway towns such as Anacortes, Whidbey Island, and Bellingham. The author, Don Pitcher, shares his expert advice on outdoor adventures such as sea kayaking, whale watching, and forest hikes. The book also provides information on local spots, farm-to-table restaurants, and nearby attractions in Seattle and Victoria. With full-color photos and detailed maps throughout, Moon San Juan Islands is an ideal guide for those seeking a unique and memorable Pacific Northwest getaway.

A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands is a must-have for any local boater, providing accurate piloting instructions, clear writing, and high-quality information. This second edition includes color photos and nautical chart segments throughout, as well as weather, tide, current, and commercial traffic patterns. The guide also covers local history and attractions, making it a comprehensive resource for Pacific Northwest cruising. With at-a-glance ratings of every harbor and anchorage, this book is a shipshape and workmanlike approach to navigating local waters. Overall, it is an encyclopedic sailing guide that is written with exhaustive first-hand research and is a keeper for any 'to take cruising' box.

The 100 Classic Hikes: Washington is a revised and updated edition of the iconic state trails guidebook that has been an essential resource for hikers for decades. Written by Craig Romano, an award-winning author and a passionate hiker himself, the book covers over 20,000 miles of hiking trails in Washington State, from Olympic Peninsula to San Juan Islands. Romano's expertise and love for the outdoors are evident in the detailed descriptions of each hike, making it a must-have for any hiking enthusiast. The book is published by Mountaineers Books and is a great addition to any mountain climbing book collection.

Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands: 60 Trips in Northwest Inland Waters, Including the Gulf Islands, 3rd Edition is a revised version of Randel Washburne's classic guide with 10 new trips added and info for paddle boarders. This book offers detailed paddling information for kayakers, canoeists, stand-up paddlers, and anyone with a small human-powered craft. It includes camping logistics, routes rated as protected, moderate, or exposed, and a chart to choose a route for your level of fitness, skills, and available time. The author, Rob Casey, has been paddling Pacific Northwest waters for over two decades. This book is a must-have for anyone who loves paddling in the Pacific Northwest.

San Juan Islands Map, Road & Recreation, 7th Edition is a comprehensive guide to travel and recreation in the San Juan Islands. The updated edition, published in September 2016 by GP Maps, includes scenic and biking routes, recreational indexes, and town and area maps of Anacortes, Eastsound, Friday Harbor, and Lopez Village. The map is GPS compatible and perfect for those who want to explore the San Juan Islands in detail. The book is written by Great Pacific Maps Principal David Peckarsky, who has been researching and publishing maps since 1978.

Day Hiking: The San Juans & Gulf Islands: National Parks * Anacortes * Victoria is an ultimate guide for hikers of all levels who want to explore the San Juan Islands and their sister islands in Washington. It covers hundreds of miles of trails in state parks, county parks, provincial parks, and other unique destinations including recently established national monuments. Author Craig Romano also includes islands that lack ferry service, making it an excellent guide for paddlers and boaters. With comprehensive information and detailed descriptions, this book is a must-have for anyone planning to hike in the region.

The "Washington Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal" is a comprehensive travel guide that showcases more than 50 must-see destinations in Washington State. It provides readers with driving instructions, GPS coordinates, and information on the best time to visit, weather conditions, and average expenses. In addition, the guide offers a unique feature that allows readers to keep track of where they have been and where they plan to go next. The book is perfect for free spirits who crave deep connections with nature and want to explore the state's picturesque landscapes. Overall, this guide is an excellent resource for anyone looking to embark on an unforgettable adventure in Washington.

The third edition of Exploring the San Juan and Gulf Islands is a comprehensive guidebook that covers over 300 islets and islands in the Pacific Northwest's cruising paradise. The authors, Don Douglass and Ranne Hemingway-Douglass, have sailed extensively in the region and have documented nearly 5,000 anchor sites between Seattle and Glacier Bay. The book includes expert local knowledge, 175 detailed anchor diagrams, 650 GPS waypoints, and 200 photographs. It also features proven cruising routes, tips for charter cruisers, itineraries, and information on the Cascadia Marine Trail. This guidebook is a must-read for anyone planning to explore the San Juan and Gulf Islands.

The Art of Getting Lost by Brendan Leonard, published by Falcon Guides, is a book that inspires readers to pursue adventure. It provides concrete knowledge of how to plan dream trips and overcome obstacles. Leonard, who has never been without a full-time job since he finished graduate school, shares his personal experiences of bicycling, rafting, trekking, hiking, climbing, and skiing in America and Europe. This book is a must-read for those seeking inspiration to embark on their own adventures, big or small.