San Juan Islands, Washington state, USA

© Stephen Matera/Tandem Stills + Motio

Info. San Juan Islands, Washington state, USA

The San Juan archipelago is made up of over 400 islands and rocks, some only visible during low tide, in the Salish Sea between the US state of Washington and Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia. No bridges connect the San Juans to the mainland, but four of the largest islands are accessible via a ferry service. The islands are well known for stunning coastal views, orca whales and outdoor activities, including sea kayaking, biking and hiking. One popular destination is the San Juan Island National Historical Park, which was established in 1966 to commemorate the Pig War. That strangely named confrontation between the United States and the United Kingdom was sparked, in part, by the killing of a pig in 1859. But it was really a dispute over ownership of the islands.