Lonely Planet Names San Juan Islands #3 for Top U.S. Destinations

From the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau

CNN.com announced Dec. 5: “With Lonely Planet’s Top 10 U.S. Destinations for 2013, innovative cuisine and drink, hopping art scenes and spectacular nature are available–all without a passport. They include emerging destinations, locations that have something special for 2013 and longtime favorites with something new to offer visitors.”

We are very proud to convey that the San Juan Islands of Washington are listed as #3 on this list.

Dubbing the islands, “The Gourmet Archipelago,” Lonely Planet author Brendan Sainsbury states, “Gastronomic movements usually take hold in cities rather than on isolated archipelagos but the San Juan Islands in America’s Pacific Northwest…have always been a little different. Between them, the three main islands support two vineyards, a lavender farm, an alpaca ranch and weekend farmers’ markets that ply everything from artichokes to marionberries.

“Chefs of international pedigree” plan their menus around locally-sourced seafood, grass-fed meat and organic produce at restaurants such as The Bay Café on Lopez Island, Allium and Doe Bay Café on Orcas Island, Sainsbury notes.

On hearing the news, Doe Bay Café sommelier Shannon Borg stated, “We are very lucky to have so many great farmers, fishermen and winemakers in the islands. We love to share our local bounty and lifestyle with visitors who treasure the islands as much as we do.”  “We’re thrilled,” remarked Barbara Marrett, Communications Manager for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. “It’s the first year for the islands to be honored by inclusion on Lonely Planet’s list. Their travel products are a trusted source for information on the planet’s most captivating destinations; it’s a privilege to be recognized as one of them.”

Now in its third year, the list is compiled annually by Lonely Planet’s U.S. office team of editors and authors. The article announcing the list is one of the most read stories on www.lonelyplanet.com every year, which receives over 12 million unique visitors each month.

Already world-renowned for stunning scenery and watchable wildlife, this latest honor supports the San Juan Islands’ growing reputation as a culinary destination. Lonely Planet editors conclude their San Juan Islands listing with: “Hop on a bike, explore the beaches and enjoy the scenery, but be sure to eat!”

To read the entire article, go to: www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/77583