Sample plan
A rainy day
- Coffee and pastries in Eastsound
- Orcas Island Historical Museum
- Lunch in the village
- Hot tub after the hike, and a fire if you’re @ Bracken Fern.
Explore Orcas
Plan your Orcas trip.
Plans, places to eat, our favorite hikes and beaches, and what’s on, all in one spot.
Plan your days
Your Orcas days, ideas already sketched out.
Ideas for a rainy day, a long weekend, kids, dogs or a first visit, each one starting from your front door.
Sample plan
A long weekend
- Fri: ferry over, settle in
- Sat: farmers market, then the Cascade Lake loop
- Sun: Mount Constitution overlook, dinner in Eastsound
Sample plan
With kids
- Cascade Lake swim area and the Sugar Shack (seasonal)
- Crescent Beach walk
- Early dinner in Eastsound
Sample plan
With the dog
- Crescent Beach walk
- Cascade Lake loop
Reminder: dogs need to be leashed on beaches and trails.
Sample plan
A first visit
- Eastsound village and the waterfront
- Mount Constitution overlook
- Sunset at North Beach
Eat and drink
Where we send our friends.
Our pick
Eggs Benedict
at New Leaf Cafe (opens in a new tab)
Our go-to for breakfast and brunch. Order the eggs benedict. It’s our favorite on the island.
Closed for the season until early February.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~4 min / 1.3 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.7 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~12 min / 4.7 mi
Our pick
Dungeness Crab Enchilada
at Mijitas (opens in a new tab)
Get the Dungeness Crab Enchilada. In summer, grab a seat on the patio, because it’s amazing out there.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~4 min / 1.3 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.8 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~12 min / 4.7 mi
Our pick
Ham & Leek Quiche
at Brown Bear Baking (opens in a new tab)
Stop in for the Ham & Leek Quiche. If there's a line out the door, stand in the line anyway. And that won't be the only thing you get – promise!
Closed until Nov 6.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.2 mi@ Rosario~11 min / 4.6 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~11 min / 4.6 mi
Our pick
Seafood Bisque
at Madrona Bar & Grill (opens in a new tab)
The Seafood Bisque is the one to order.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.2 mi@ Rosario~11 min / 4.6 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~11 min / 4.6 mi
Our pick
Black n Blue Burger
at The Lower Tavern (opens in a new tab)
Come hungry for the Black n Blue Burger.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.2 mi@ Rosario~11 min / 4.6 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~11 min / 4.6 mi
Where we’d grab a drink
Our pick
Orcas Island Winery (opens in a new tab)
Nestled at the base of Turtleback Mountain sits a modern farmhouse winery with a tasting room, wine bar, shop and developing vineyards.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~11 min / 4.5 mi@ Rosario~19 min / 7.9 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~19 min / 7.9 mi
Our pick
Island Hoppin Brewery (opens in a new tab)
Their tasting room is open daily, year-round, with a rotating variety of beers made in house, plus some ciders and wine. Kids and leashed dogs are welcome.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~5 min / 1.9 mi@ Rosario~13 min / 5.5 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~13 min / 5.5 mi
Our pick
The Barnacle (opens in a new tab)
The cozy, nautical craft-cocktail gem of Eastsound, small on space and big on character and quality drinks.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.3 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.7 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~12 min / 4.7 mi
By meal
Hours from the Chamber food & drink guide (opens in a new tab) (October 2026). “Tonight” marks places open for dinner today. Hours change on the island; check before you go.
Plenty of spots have outdoor seating, so your dog can come too.
Breakfast & brunch
Brown Bear Baking (opens in a new tab)
Co-owners Lee Horswill and David Ellertsen, both trained at the San Francisco Baking Institute, bake French pastry and bread in small batches.
Closed until Nov 6.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.2 mi@ Rosario~11 min / 4.6 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~11 min / 4.6 mi
Cafe Aurora (opens in a new tab)
A brunch spot in Eastsound serving contemporary American plates.
Tue–Sat 9 am–2 pm
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.2 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.7 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~11 min / 4.6 mi
New Leaf Cafe (opens in a new tab)
Seasonal island cooking inside the Outlook Inn, with views over Fishing Bay.
Closed for the season until early February.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~4 min / 1.3 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.7 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~12 min / 4.7 mi
Lunch
Madrona Bar & Grill (opens in a new tab)
It sits right over the water in Eastsound, and nearly every table has the view.
Daily 11:30 am–8 pm
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.2 mi@ Rosario~11 min / 4.6 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~11 min / 4.6 mi
The Lower Tavern (opens in a new tab)
Three decades in, this 21+ tavern still pours local brews and shows the game.
Daily 11 am–10 pm (bar open later), 21+
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.2 mi@ Rosario~11 min / 4.6 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~11 min / 4.6 mi
Mijitas Mexican Kitchen (opens in a new tab)
Mexican family recipes and Mexican-American classics.
In summer, ask for a patio table when you reserve. On a warm evening, it’s hard to beat.
Lunch Wed 11 am–1:45 pm
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~4 min / 1.3 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.8 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~12 min / 4.7 mi
Lone Pine Larder (opens in a new tab)
Lunch and dinner to go, from herb-smoked organic chicken to house focaccia.
Wed–Sat 12–5:30 pm, Sun 12–3 pm
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.1 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.5 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~12 min / 4.5 mi
Dinner
Mijitas Mexican Kitchen (opens in a new tab)
Mexican family recipes and Mexican-American classics.
In summer, ask for a patio table when you reserve. On a warm evening, it’s hard to beat.
Dinner Tue–Sat 4–8 pm
Reservations recommended.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~4 min / 1.3 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.8 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~12 min / 4.7 mi
Madrona Bar & Grill (opens in a new tab)
It sits right over the water in Eastsound, and nearly every table has the view.
Daily 11:30 am–8 pm
Reservations recommended.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.2 mi@ Rosario~11 min / 4.6 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~11 min / 4.6 mi
The Lower Tavern (opens in a new tab)
Three decades in, this 21+ tavern still pours local brews and shows the game.
Daily 11 am–10 pm (bar open later), 21+
Reservations recommended.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~3 min / 1.2 mi@ Rosario~11 min / 4.6 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~11 min / 4.6 mi
Matia Kitchen & Bar (opens in a new tab)
Chef Avery Adams was a 2024 James Beard nominee for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific.
Thu–Sun 5–9 pm
Reservations recommended.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~4 min / 1.3 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.7 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~12 min / 4.7 mi
New Leaf Cafe (opens in a new tab)
Seasonal island cooking inside the Outlook Inn, with views over Fishing Bay.
Closed for the season until early February.
Reservations recommended.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~4 min / 1.3 mi@ Rosario~12 min / 4.7 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~12 min / 4.7 mi
Hikes
Where we’d hike.
Dogs are welcome on a leash.
Our Picks
Our five favorite hikes
Walk down to Cascade Falls, the tallest waterfall in the San Juans, circle Mountain Lake on a mostly flat loop, or climb all the way to the top of Mount Constitution. Our notes cover distance, dogs and parking for all five.
Our pick
Cascade Lake @ Moran State Park
In season, rent a kayak, SUP or rowboat, then grab ice cream at the Sugar Shack. A short drive from the Rosario homes.
A Discover Pass is required to park. Buy one ahead online at Discover Pass (opens in a new tab).
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~10 min / 4.0 mi@ Rosario~4 min / 1.3 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~4 min / 1.3 mi
Drive times and distances from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), rounded.
Beaches
Where we’d go to the beach.
Dogs are welcome on a leash.
Our pick
Crescent Beach
One of the largest stretches of public beach on Orcas, within walking distance of Bracken Fern and Eastsound Village. More than 2,000 feet of sand and gravel shoreline is open to the public. Please respect the private beaches and the oyster farm on either side.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~2 min / 0.7 mi@ Rosario~10 min / 4.1 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~10 min / 4.1 mi
Our pick
North Beach
A public beach just north of Eastsound, with great sunsets in summer. Look out to Mt. Baker, and north across the water to Sucia and Matia islands and British Columbia.
To get there, follow North Beach Road to its north end.
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~6 min / 2.2 mi@ Rosario~14 min / 5.8 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~14 min / 5.8 mi
Our pick
Obstruction Pass State Park
One of the longest beaches on Orcas, a quiet cove of fine pebbles and driftwood with big water views. It’s an easy walk of about half a mile through madrone forest from the parking lot. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Head past Olga toward the island’s southeast tip. The last 0.8 mile is a hard-packed gravel road to the parking area.
A Discover Pass is required to park. Buy one ahead online at Discover Pass (opens in a new tab).
Obstruction Pass State Park (opens in a new tab)
Drive time & distance
@ Bracken Fern~24 min / 9.0 mi@ Rosario~19 min / 6.5 mi@ Rosario Sea Views~19 min / 6.5 mi
Drive times and distances from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), rounded.
Annual favorites
Annual favorites on Orcas.
The yearly events we plan around.
June – August
Summer Concert Series on the Village Green
Free live music under the open sky on the Village Green in the heart of Eastsound, presented by Orcas Center on summer Sundays at 5 pm. Lineups vary, so check Orcas Center’s site as each date gets close.
More info (opens in a new tab)
July
4th of July on Orcas
Line up early in Eastsound for the island’s beloved 4th of July Parade, with handmade floats, music and bands, creative costumes, and the animals running for unofficial “Mayor of Eastsound.” The Chamber also lists a 4th of July 5k & Community Picnic. Times are posted closer to the day.
More info (opens in a new tab)
Early October
Orcas Island Farm Tours
Part of Farm Tours of the San Juans, when island farms open their gates for tours, tastings and demos. All events are free and need no registration unless noted.
More info (opens in a new tab)
October
Orcas Island Film Festival (OIFF)
Five days of brand-new films, visiting artists, panels and parties in the walkable village of Eastsound.
More info (opens in a new tab)
November
Hops on the Rock: Orcas Island Beer Fest
Orcas Island’s annual beer fest, when Market Street in Eastsound closes for a big tent of Pacific Northwest breweries, cideries and wineries. There’s live local music all day, and it’s 21+ only.
More info (opens in a new tab)
Orcas Artist Studio Tour
Orcas artists open their working studios for three days, with original art for sale straight from the people who made it. It’s free to attend, and a studio map and brochures are online and around Eastsound.
The 2026 tour ran Aug 7–9. 2027 dates aren’t posted yet.
This month on Orcas
October on Orcas.
Planning for later? Pick your month to see what’s on.
IndoorsFarmers market, Saturdays through Nov 21
Tower closedMount Constitution, Oct 7 – Nov 9; road and overlook open
Seasonal hoursMany restaurants trim days in fall
Sat
Fall Farmers Market
Every Sat · through Nov 21Saturdays through Nov 21, 10 am–2 pm · Orcas School cafeteria
It’s moved indoors to the Orcas School cafeteria, with local produce, crafts and live music.
More info (opens in a new tab)Sun
Farm to Table classes with WOW Farm
Every Sun · through Nov 15Sundays 5–7 pm, Oct 25–Nov 15 · Houlme
At Houlme in Eastsound.
More info (opens in a new tab)Next month: November
Nov 6–8
Coming upHops on the Rock: Orcas Island Beer Fest
More info (opens in a new tab)Sat Nov 7
Ha Ha Da Vinci
More info (opens in a new tab)Sun Nov 15
Battle of the Bands
More info (opens in a new tab)Thu Nov 26
Community Thanksgiving Potluck
More info (opens in a new tab)Dec 5–6
Winter Artisans Faire
More info (opens in a new tab)New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Nothing’s posted for this month yet. The annual favorites above are the ones we plan a year around.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Nothing’s posted for this month yet. The annual favorites above are the ones we plan a year around.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Nothing’s posted for this month yet. The annual favorites above are the ones we plan a year around.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Nothing’s posted for this month yet. The annual favorites above are the ones we plan a year around.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Nothing’s posted for this month yet. The annual favorites above are the ones we plan a year around.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Nothing’s posted for this month yet. The annual favorites above are the ones we plan a year around.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Nothing’s posted for this month yet. The annual favorites above are the ones we plan a year around.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Nothing’s posted for this month yet. The annual favorites above are the ones we plan a year around.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Nothing’s posted for this month yet. The annual favorites above are the ones we plan a year around.
New events are coming soon. Meanwhile, see our picks above.
Island info
Orcas, made easy.
Ferry tips, what’s open in the off-season, drive times from each home, and sunrise, sunset and tide times.
Today · Orcas Island
Sunrise, sunset and tides
Estimated right now
Sunrise7:55 am
Sunset5:55 pm- 1:53 am · Low−2.3 ft
- 10:44 am · High8.6 ft
- 3:23 pm · Low7.4 ft
- 5:56 pm · High7.5 ft
Tide times and heights are NOAA (opens in a new tab) predictions for Rosario on Orcas. Sun times are for Eastsound.
Getting here
Most people come over on the Washington State Ferries from Anacortes.
Visitor center
Orcas Chamber visitor center in Eastsound, open Mon and Wed–Sat 10 am–3 pm.
Drive time & distance from each home
| To | @ Bracken Fern drive time & distance | @ Rosario drive time & distance | @ Rosario Sea Views drive time & distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastsound village | ~4 min / 1.3 mi | ~12 min / 4.7 mi | ~12 min / 4.7 mi |
| Cascade Lake | ~10 min / 4.0 mi | ~4 min / 1.3 mi | ~4 min / 1.3 mi |
| Mountain Lake | ~17 min / 6.1 mi | ~12 min / 3.4 mi | ~12 min / 3.4 mi |
| Turtleback south trailhead | ~20 min / 8.1 mi | ~28 min / 11.5 mi | ~28 min / 11.5 mi |
| Crescent Beach | ~2 min / 0.7 mi | ~10 min / 4.1 mi | ~10 min / 4.1 mi |
| North Beach | ~6 min / 2.2 mi | ~14 min / 5.8 mi | ~14 min / 5.8 mi |
| West Beach | ~11 min / 4.5 mi | ~19 min / 7.8 mi | ~19 min / 7.7 mi |
| Doe Bay | ~24 min / 10.1 mi | ~19 min / 7.4 mi | ~18 min / 7.3 mi |
| Orcas ferry landing | ~22 min / 9.6 mi | ~30 min / 13.0 mi | ~30 min / 13.0 mi |
Driving times from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), rounded to the minute. Ferry lines and summer traffic add time.
Your Orcas days start from a good home base.
Three dog-friendly homes, hosted by Lori & Todd since 2015.