14 Best Shopping in The San Juan Islands, Washington

Owned by an Orcas Island–born sommelier who worked at restaurants in Vail and Vegas before returning home, this cheerful little bottle shop and tasting room in Eastsound has a great selection of wine, beer, and cider from around the world, including a wine series, the Orcas Project, that is produced in collaboration with Pacific Northwest winemakers and artists.

Stop by this cooperative gallery to see impressive displays of pottery, sculpture, jewelry, art glass, paintings, and quilts by resident artists, including an upstairs gallery devoted to original paintings by well-known Northwest landscape artist James Hardman. You'll find gifts in a wide price range at this wonderful space.

A stroll through the historic house, outbuildings, and gardens of this enchanting arts complex on a bluff overlooking President Channel and Waldron Island is more than just a chance to browse beautiful pottery—it's a great spot simply to relax and soak up the views. More than a dozen regular and guest potters exhibit and sell their wares here, everything from functional dinnerware and mugs to fanciful vases and wall hangings.  Pottery isn't always the most kid-friendly but this place has playful outdoor pieces and a very cool treehouse to check out.

The specialty here is Northwest native art, including scrimshaw and wood carvings.

This local artists' cooperative exhibits and sells crafts, jewelry, and fine art.

The artisan chocolates at this friendly little shop come from all over the Pacific Northwest, including a nice assortment of confections sold by the piece, and the proprietors also stock a selection of ports and natural wines.

This island favorite, with a coffee bar and a couple of cozy seats with panoramic views of the water, specializes in literary fiction and nautical literature.

According to Girl Meets Dirt founder Audra Lawlor, fruit is affected by terroir, just like wine, and the salty San Juan Islands breezes certainly seem to work magic on locally grown stone fruit and pomes. Lawlor's small-batch jams made in a collection of heavy copper pots are the perfect addition to a charcuterie board, with complex flavors like Cherry Fig Leaf, Island Plum, and Orange Peppered Peach. The shop also carries housemade shrubs and bitters.

Some of the ingredients used in the small-batch soaps and skincare products sold at this lovely-smelling Eastsound boutique are grown on the local Island Thyme farm. Founded in 1996 on Orcas, the aromatherapy-focused line is now carried across the state and beyond.

This longtime bookseller is stocked with publications on San Juan Islands history and activities, as well as tomes about the Pacific Northwest. There's also a good selection of mysteries, literary novels, children's books, and craft kits, plus greeting cards, art prints, and maps. Many of the items sold here are the works of local writers, artists, and photographers.

From April through October, this open-air market with more than 30 vendors selling local produce and crafts takes place at Friday Harbor Brickworks on Saturdays from 9:30 to 1. The market is also open once or twice a month on Saturdays in winter; check the website for the schedule.

This winery 3 miles north of Friday Harbor has a tasting room and gift shop, and organizes such special events as a harvest festival in October and November barrel tastings. Noteworthy varietals here include Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.

This respected gallery represents about 30 eclectic, contemporary artists, from painters to jewelers.

This rustic oyster farm is tucked into a small bay two miles south of Roche Harbor; the best time to buy oysters is November through April, and you can buy, shuck, and eat them on-site; the farm sells local bakery bread, cheese, charcuterie, salads, and wine if you want to make a meal of it.