Cottonwood Cove sits in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in San Juan County, though specific location details and historical documentation about this beach are limited in available records. The cove name likely derives from cottonwood trees, large deciduous trees common along Pacific Northwest waterfronts and riparian areas, though black cottonwood typically grows along streams and rivers rather than saltwater shorelines, suggesting the name may reference historical vegetation or nearby freshwater influences. Friday Harbor developed as the county seat and largest town in the San Juan Islands with population serving as commercial and tourism center, ferry terminal connecting to Anacortes and other islands, and marina facilities supporting recreational boating, fishing fleet, and whale watching operations. The town sits on San Juan Channel's protected waters creating natural harbor that attracted early settlement and continues to serve as the archipelago's primary hub.
Beach access and recreational activities likely include swimming during warm summer months, beachcombing along shorelines, kayaking and paddleboarding in protected cove waters, and wildlife watching typical of San Juan Islands locations. The archipelago's waters support resident orca whale pods attracting international attention, with whale watching boats departing Friday Harbor daily during summer season to observe Southern Resident killer whales, transient orcas, humpback whales, and minke whales. Harbor seals haul out on rocks and beaches throughout the islands, bald eagles nest and fish year-round, and diverse seabirds including rhinoceros auklets, tufted puffins during summer, cormorants, gulls, and loons utilize productive marine ecosystems. Black-tailed deer browse shoreline areas, river otters play along beaches, and occasional red foxes appear on San Juan Island. Views from Friday Harbor area beaches typically capture San Juan Channel with Lopez Island visible to the southeast, Shaw Island and Orcas Island to the northeast, and Vancouver Island's mountains visible across the Strait of Georgia to the north on clear days. Friday Harbor provides access to San Juan Island National Historical Park preserving American Camp and English Camp from the 1859-1872 Pig War boundary dispute, offering historical interpretation, prairie landscapes, and extensive beaches including South Beach stretching two miles along the southern shore.
Friday Harbor dining offers excellent seafood restaurants and diverse cuisine throughout San Juan Island's main town. Friday's Crabhouse serves fresh Cracked Dungeness Crab, Grilled Salmon, Steamer Clams, Mussels, Oysters, Homemade Crabcakes, and Fish and Chips. Westcott Bay Shellfish Company operates Tide Tables restaurant sampling fresh oysters from their tidelands. Downriggers provides Pacific Northwest dining with seasonal menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with waterfront location. Coho Restaurant occupies historic home near ferry landing offering refined dining with locally sourced seafood and extensive wine list, receiving Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for five consecutive years. Duck Soup showcases local produce, meat, and seafood with foraged edibles and goods from island craftspeople. Friday Harbor House features fresh thoughtfully sourced dining with panoramic views of San Juan Channel, ferry landing, and marina.
