A small island is attracting big-time foodies

We are honored to announce that Orcas Island, in the San Juan Islands of Washington state (aka the gourmet archipelago), is listed in the #33 position on the New York Times world list, published January 9th.

The Times captions its photo: “A small Island is attracting big-time foodies.” It goes on to say, “The horseshoe-shaped Orcas, one of the largest islands that make up the San Juan archipelago, has gained fame in recent years for its impressive tide-to-table culinary scene and experimental wines, attracting among others, Oprah Winfrey.” With shout-outs to Doe Bay Wine Company, James Beard-nominated rising star chef Jay Blackinton, the historic Outlook Inn for its luxury waterfront cottages (opening this summer) and the expansion of Moran State Park; it's a powerful testament to the allure of Orcas Island.

The San Juan Islands were last honored on a New York Times annual list in 2011 when they were in the #2 spot. The Times introduced the Islands' description with “Bold-face restaurateurs vie with unspoiled nature.  Nature wins.”  The description continues with praises for the Islands' dining scene, and the “eternal lure of the San Juans” is credited to its landscapes where “pastoral hills give way to broody forests and scrappy escarpments that overlook fjordlike inlets.” Praise was also given for active land preservation efforts and “moody water as magically lighted as a Bierstadt painting.”  Since then the dining scene, especially on Orcas Island, has grown. And, many more large view and waterfront parcels have been preserved or annexed to the local national historical park and state parks.

Previous to that the San Juan Islands were honored on a New York Times annual list in 2008, in its “31 Places to Go this Summer” in the United States.  In that list, the San Juans held the #14 position.

Other West Coast destinations chosen for the “52 Places to Go in 2019” list include Santa Barbara (in the #2 position) and Los Angeles (#41 position). Other global destinations chosen for the 2019 list include Puerto Rico (in the #1 position) and Hampi, India (#2 position) and Panama (#4 position), to name a few.

To read the entire article, from 2019:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/travel/places-to-visit.html.  Bit.ly Link:  https://nyti.ms/2ss27S5

Dropbox to Orcas Island Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zv5fkikkb7o6hcf/AABUPUb97KcHdSSJ0FRshxkqa?dl=0

To read NYT Reader comments on Orcas Island https://www.facebook.com/142271415829971/posts/2135905629799863/

To order a San Juan Islands 2019 Official Travel Guide or Wedding Guide or to download a copy, please go to www.VisitSanJuans.com.

Media contact: 

Barbara Marrett

888.468.3701 ext. 6

barbara@visitsanjuans.com

San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau

Washington State