Lummi Island Day Trip: Where to Eat, Sip and Adventure

It's easy to find treasures at Good Thunder Arts.
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By Laura Rogers

Clear water, island views, and fresh sea air are in abundance at Church Beach.
Clear water, island views and fresh sea air are in abundance at Church Beach.

It’s true: summertime and vacations are starting to wrap up. But if you’re like me, you’re probably trying to get in one last hurrah before school starts and the cooler weather sets in. However, money and time-off are real barriers for many of us. Excursions to most of the San Juan Islands require ample amounts of both. Lummi Island is a fantastic exception. Costing just $13 to take yourself and vehicle (kids are free) to the island, Lummi is an affordable, convenient “get away from it all” experience.

Just a hop, skip, and jump away from Bellingham, all you need to do to get yourself to Lummi Island is head to Gooseberry Point Ferry Landing (located on the west side of the Lummi Nation peninsula). The ferry dock is about a 25-minute drive from Bellingham. The small ferry, The Whatcom Chief, takes island-goers across Hale Passage to the landing on Lummi Island. The ride lasts only about eight minutes and runs about every 20 minutes on weekdays and every hour on weekends.

Once on the island, there are a few places to stop for provisions. The Islander Store across the street from the ferry dock has groceries and supplies and is a good first stop if you need information. If you’re hungry, I recommend following your nose to the first delicious aroma you come across: hamburgers.

Locally-sourced Kobe Beef burgers with a view at SauseBurger make a perfect lunch stop.
Locally-sourced Kobe beef burgers with a view at SauseBurger make a perfect lunch stop.

The Sauseburger Stand is right next to The Islander and is open only Friday through Sunday. There’s nothing like convenience combined with delicious food and island charm to start a perfect day on Lummi Island. Sauseburger serves local meats, seafood, and specializes in gourmet burgers and sausages. I ordered the Gorgonzola and grilled onion burger, which was a behemoth-sized slice of heaven on a bun. We sat on the deck, which offers a partial view of the water and a refreshing island breeze. Don’t miss Sauseburger’s special menu calendar, which lists the dates the restaurant dishes up items like slow roasted brisket, prawn tacos and baby back ribs. You may want to schedule your trip accordingly.

Once you’ve gorged yourself at Sauseburger, you’re probably ready for a bit of a walk. One nice place to stroll is Church Beach. Located, as you might guess, behind the island’s church (just about a mile from the ferry dock), Church Beach is set on magnificent Legoe Bay. It’s okay to park in the church parking lot, and you can’t miss the trailhead. Almost as soon as you enter the woods, you’ll notice a lovely, simple, stone labyrinth. I highly recommend taking a moment to walk, reflect and maybe even digest.

Continue on down the very short trail to Church Beach. It’s a basic rocky beach, like the kind we are used to here in Whatcom County, but the crystal-clear water, fresh air and views make Church Beach an easy win. When I was there, a string of picturesque reef-netting boats were lined up along the north side of the bay. It’s a nice spot for beach combing or just settling in with a good book. Other public beaches include: Lummi Island Beach Access and Sunset Beach, which is just across the street and south of The Willows Inn. If you’re in the mood for a more serious hike, Baker Preserve is a nice 3.2-miler and provides outstanding views of the San Juan Islands and Olympic Mountains.

Wine-tasting by the sea is always a good plan.
Wine tasting by the sea is always a good plan.

Our final two stops on the island were rather different, but each was just as fabulous as the other. First, we popped into Legoe Bay Winery for a little wine tasting. The rustic tasting room is located right across the street from the water. The ceiling is draped with the sail from a boat, the windows look out on the bay, and the wine is incredibly delicious. I could have hung out here all day. Sadly, we eventually had to leave this little oasis by the sea.

Next we wandered up the hill, which gains elevation and switches to rustic woodland charm quickly. After following nothing but our instincts for a while, we came across a sweet, little pottery and novelty shop. The artists at Good Thunder Arts produce gorgeous, locally inspired porcelain and stoneware pieces and other intriguing pieces crafted from bone and rock. Half of the fun of this stop was just feeling like we had stumbled upon a well-kept island secret.

If you feel like splurging on a top-notch dinner, add The Willows Inn to your itinerary. The chef here has won countless awards and was even named “One of the 10 Restaurants (in the world) Worth a Plane Ride” by the New York Times. If there is a special occasion in your future, you needn’t look any further than The Willows Inn for a perfect meal with a perfect view. I can speak from experience, as my husband and I were married at The Willows. It is a magical place.

The view from The Whatcom Chief as it enters the Lummi ferry dock.
The view from the Whatcom Chief at the Lummi ferry dock.

There are many more adventures to be found on Lummi Island. Feel like exploring the island on two wheels? Bicyclists (and pedestrians) can ride the Whatcom Chief for just $7. The island is ideal for riding due to its gentle hills, few vehicles, and spectacular views. And if you happen to be an experienced kayaker, check out this blog on the Bellingham Tourism page for tips on paddling to Lummi, which might just be the ultimate way to see and experience the island.

(Note: The Whatcom Chief will be out of service from September 10 to October 1. During this time, foot-passenger-only ferry service will be available. There will also be a shuttle on the island during this time to make getting around easier.)

 

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