Lopez Island
Lopez Island is the third largest of the U.S. San Juan Islands, and the first stop of four on the Washington State Ferries' San Juan Islands run. A normal sailing takes 45 minutes from Anacortes to Lopez. There is a small airstrip on the island with daily commercial flights, and charter floatplanes sometimes land in real estate to a level where many traditional residents (mainly fishermen and farmers) find it hard to pay property taxes and their children struggle to buy a piece of land. The early homesteading families are either passing on or moving off. The late 1970s saw a gradual influx of idealists, many of whom still live on the island, often working in the arts. Self-employment is very high; the local school district is the biggest employer on the island.
A large portion of Lopez is made up of the Sperry Peninsula, which was bought in the late 1990s by Paul Allen of Microsoft fame.
Lopez is known for being flat, which makes it a popular destination for bicycle tourists. However, the roads are not very wide, and the places to refresh yourself are far and few between.
Lopez has a large library, a volunteer fire department, volunteer EMTs, a kindergarten and an elementary, middle, and high school, two bars, several restaurants, two coffee shops, a juice bar, a midsized market, a health-food store, a pharmacy, a printing press, a 9 hole golf course, a bookstore, a clinic, two naturopaths, and a bakery, plus various other establishments.
Lopez Island Historical Museum
Collects and preserve regional history of Lopez and the San Juan Islands. The Museum features artifacts reflecting Lopez's contributions to maritime, fishing and farming. The museum has an extensive archive of documents of local historic, and artifact depicting late 1800's and early 1900s Lopez life. Provide genealogical records for research. Museum hours May, June and September: Friday through Sunday; noon to 4 p.m. July and August Wednesday through Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Lopez has three churches: Grace Episcopal, Lopez Island Community Church and St. Francis Catholic Church.
• Parks
Agate Beach County Park This picnic area and beach is at the end of MacKaye Harbor Road at the south end of the island.
Odlin County Park Is located one mile south of the ferry landing on the right hand side of the road. It has camping and picnic sites available, and a boat Launch and buoys available for boat moorage.
Otis Perkins Day Park You can get there by taking a right on Bayshore Rd. at the south end of Fisherman Bay. Two picnic tables rest at the south end of, one of the longest beaches in the county.
Shark Reef Sanctuary Head south on Fisherman Bay Road; take a right on Airport Rd. and then a left on Shark Reef Road. A hike through the quiet forest takes you to a long rocky cliff along San Juan Channel.
Spencer Spit State Park Take a left on Port Stanley Road just south of the ferry landing and the park is to the left. This 130-acre park offers history as well as beauty. There is a camping area, picnic sites and has buoys available for boat moorage.
Upright Channel Park It is located south of Odlin County Park on Fisherman Bay Road; you take a right on Military Road and look for the park on the right. This state-operated facility offers several picnic sites and a hike down to a sandy beach. On low tide you can hike the tidelands for a mile north to Odlin Park.
