Moon San Juan Islands: Including Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands (Moon Handbooks) [Paperback]

Don Pitcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2008 | Series: Moon Handbooks

Travel writer and ecologist Don Pitcher knows the best way to experience the San Juan Islands, from sea kayaking off Orcas Island to whale-watching near Victoria. Don offers unique trip strategies for a wide-range of travelers, including Romantic San Juans and On the Water, a section devoted to kayaking and boating enthusiasts. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon San Juan Islands has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. With guidance on visiting the Whale Museum on San Juan Island, camping in Moran State Park, and biking the 30-mile loop on Lopez Island, Moon San Juan Islands gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon Handbooks are the cure for the common trip.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Perhaps Don Pitcher's love of travel came about because he moved so much as a child; by age 15 he had lived in six states and two-dozen East Coast and Midwest towns. Don's family hails from Maine, but being born in Atlanta made him a southerner with New England blood. He moved west for college, receiving a master's degree from the University of California at Berkeley, where his thesis examined wildfires in high elevation forests of Sequoia National Park. When his first scientific paper was published, he appeared headed into the world of ecological research. Shortly after grad school Don landed what seemed the coolest job on the planet: being flown around Alaska's massive Wrangell - St. Elias National Park in a helicopter while conducting fire research. Wild places continued to beckon, and over the next 15 years Don built backcountry trails, worked as a wilderness ranger, mapped grizzly habitat, and operated salmon weirs - anything to avoid an office job. After that first season in Alaska, he spent three months in the South Pacific, and quickly found himself addicted to travel. These explorations eventually took him to all 50 states and 35 countries. Don's Washington connection began with a mid-winter drive across eastern Washington, into Seattle, and down the Olympic Peninsula. He later took over as the author of Moon Washington, and fell in love with the San Juan Islands on his first trip there. In addition to the Washington and San Juan Islands books, he is the author of Moon Handbooks for Alaska, Wyoming, and Yellowstone, and has photographed three popular travel books. Don's images have appeared in a multitude of other publications and advertisements, and his art prints are sold in Alaska and Washington galleries. Don now works full-time as a travel writer and photographer, basing his travels from Homer, Alaska, where he lives with his wife, Karen Shemet, and their children, Aziza and Rio. Find details on his latest projects at www.donpitcher.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing; 3rd edition (April 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598800159
• ISBN-13: 978-1598800159
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Travel > Canada > Cities > Victoria
  • #3 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Washington
  • #4 in Books > Travel > North America

More About the Author

Born in Atlanta, Georgia as the middle son of two teachers, Don Pitcher grew up all over the East Coast, from Florida to Maine. He moved west for college, receiving a masters degree in fire ecology from the University of California Berkeley. A love of nature pulled him north to Alaska, and an aversion to office work kept him outside for the next 15 years, conducting ecological research, building backcountry trails, working as a wilderness ranger, mapping grizzly habitat, and operating salmon weirs. He went on to write or photograph a dozen guidebooks for Avalon Travel, DK Publishing, Sasquatch Books, Heyday Books, and Fodor's. He also contributes to Triporati and other websites, and is a professional wedding photographer. Don Pitcher's photos have appeared in a multitude of publications and advertisements, and his prints are sold in many Alaska and Washington galleries. He lives in Homer, Alaska with his wife, Karen Shemet, and their children, Aziza and Rio. Find out more on his websites: www.donpitcher.com and www.weddingsinhomer.com, or visit his Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/donpitcherphotography and www.facebook.com/pages/Don-Pitchers-Travel-Guidebooks/314113916371.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book, April 25, 2010

By 

Jane (Carlsbad, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Moon San Juan Islands: Including Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands (Moon Handbooks) (Paperback)

This book has extensive coverage of Orcas, San Juan and Lopez Island, as well as surrounding areas such as Victoria, Whidbey Island, etc. Great recs on places to eat, stay, visit, along with the basics such as ferry logistics, etc. Highly recommend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best San Juan Islands book, September 30, 2010

By 

Rosy (Mukilteo, Wa USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Moon San Juan Islands: Including Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands (Moon Handbooks) (Paperback)

If you expect more than a page or two about the San Juan Islands, this is your book. Lots of info about each island and also has a section about the various gateways to the islands...Anacortes, Whidbey Island, Bellingham, etc. Really helpful guidebook during a recent trip.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars San Juan Islands Guide, July 2, 2010

By 

M. Kanner (Salem, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Moon San Juan Islands: Including Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands (Moon Handbooks) (Paperback)

Our family is going on a trip to Orcas Island and I had been searching the internet sites to find out what was available etc. I have a friend who had spent a couple of summers there several years ago and called him to see what we shouldn't miss. He gave me a huge list of things they had really enjoyed, but I would still need to reseach more information about them to make decisions and set up for activities that need advanced arrangements. I found the "Moon" site and saw that they had a book. I ordered it used, on Amazon. It has all the stuff my friend recommended and all the info. I needed in advance, extra tips for preparation, prices, advice to get the best deals, etc. We leave a week from today, so I can't say yet how accurate the info is or how well it worked out for us, but I feel much better prepared now that I've read the book.
I've used other travel books for previous trips and comparatively found I really liked the organization and ease in using the Moon book.