North Beach sits on the northern shore of San Juan Island near Friday Harbor in San Juan County. Friday Harbor, the county seat, was named for Peter Friday (1830-1894), a Hawaiian sheepherder known as "Poalie" who worked for the Hudson's Bay Company and settled on the bay that came to bear his name. Friday established a sheep station near the harbor in the 1850s, dwelling in a log house on the north shore where the University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs were later located. The beach likely takes its descriptive name from its position along the northern coastline of San Juan Island, facing toward the Strait of Georgia and Canadian waters.
Kayaking launches from protected waters for paddling exploration of San Juan Island's northern shoreline, with three-hour guided tours departing from downtown Friday Harbor offering encounters with harbor seals, views of the historic waterfront, and access to small pocket beaches along the shore. Full-day kayak tours reach Turn Island Marine Park, while sunset tours explore the island's west side with quiet beaches and outstanding photography opportunities showcasing less boat traffic. Wildlife watching ranks among the San Juans' premier attractions, with Southern Resident Killer Whales commonly seen from June through mid-October, Transient Killer Whales appearing year-round, harbor seals hauling out on rocky shores, bald eagles soaring and fishing, and diverse marine birds including cormorants, oystercatchers, and gulls. Beachcombing along the rocky shoreline reveals smooth beach stones, shells, driftwood, and occasional beach glass deposited by tides and currents. Views span north across the Strait of Georgia to Canada's Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island, with passing ferries, recreational sailboats, and occasional whale sightings enhancing the scenic maritime setting.
Friday Harbor dining offers diverse waterfront and fine dining options on San Juan Island. Friday's Crabhouse at 65 Front Street North serves fresh cracked Dungeness crab, grilled salmon, steamer clams, mussels, oysters, homemade crabcakes, fish and chips, and fish tacos with harbor views from indoor and outdoor seating. Downriggers Restaurant at 10 Front Street creates Pacific Northwest fare for lunch and dinner with waterfront views overlooking the harbor from both indoor and outdoor tables. The Restaurant at Friday Harbor House emphasizes fresh local island cuisine and seasonal specialties with panoramic San Juan Channel views at 130 West Street. Duck Soup Inn at 50 Duck Soup Lane features sophisticated Northwest cuisine with applewood-smoked local oysters as a house specialty, utilizing fresh Pacific seafood, island produce, and homegrown herbs in seasonal menus. Coho Restaurant at 120 Nichols Street prepares island-grown Pacific cuisine with Mediterranean flair from ingredients sourced from surrounding islands.
