How To...

Use the Wireless Internet

WiFi Network: BEC958
Password: E3C5954A

Use the Thermostat

Each room and bathroom has its own thermostat to adjust to your comfort level. The rooms use ceiling radiant heat panels and the bathrooms have wall heaters.

Use the Fireplace

The fireplace switch is on the wall to the right and takes a few minutes to light once the switch is on. Once lit and the fireplace achieves a certain temperature, the heater will also turn on.

Banking/ATM

Key Bank, Washington Federal Savings and Islanders Bank are in the town of Eastsound for ATMs and other banking needs.

Dining and Shopping

THE BARNACLE 360-622-2675

Wood & nautical touches fill this welcoming space for freshly mixed cocktails & sharing boards.

BROWN BEAR BAKING 360-855-7456

Artisanal handcrafted pastries and hearth bread baked daily.

BUCK BAY SHELLFISH FARM BISTRO, OYSTER &
WINE BAR 360-375-3216

Seafood and wine in Olga overlooking Buck Bay..

DOE BAY CAFE 360-376-8059

Features organic vegetables and fruits grown by a network of local Orcas farmers.

INN AT SHIP BAY 360-376-5886

Inn at Ship Bay features local organic produce, seafood and meats.

Resort Dining

HARBOR BAR AND GRILL (Seasonal)

Enjoy cocktails, seafood, halibut & chips, pizza, salads, burgers and more at this casual outdoor restaurant overlooking the marina.
Open Thursday-Monday 11 AM - 9 PM

Island Restaurants, Bakeries and Breweries

ISLAND HOPPIN’ BREWERY 360-376-6079

A neighborhood brewery with a small, quintessential Northwest taproom.

ISLAND PIE 360-376-2505

Enjoy a delicious selection of pizzas, salads, and drinks in a quiet Deer Harbor setting.

ISLAND SKILLET 360-376-3984

Casual breakfast dining located in the heart of Eastsound.

KINGFISH AT WESTSOUND 360-376-4440

Creative cuisine featuring local ingredients.

THE KITCHEN 360-840-6260

A garden café with Pan-Asian inspiration.

LOWER TAVERN 360-376-4848

Burgers and brews! Where the locals hang.

MADRONA BAR AND GRILL 360-376-7171

Steaks, seafood & other American fare served in a rustic cottage with deck seating & water views.

MATTHEW’S SMOKEHOUSE 360-376-1040

Delicious smokehouse barbecue joint at Deer Harbor

MIJITAS MEXICAN KITCHEN 360-376-6722

Small, homey outpost offering Mexican cuisine such as tacos & oysters plus an outdoor patio.

NEW LEAF CAFE 360-376-2200

Open for brunch. Local organic goods and rich desserts, located in the Outlook Inn.

ORCAS HOTEL CAFE 360-320-6415

Espresso cafe, bakery and full-service restaurant overlooking the Orcas ferry landing.

Shopping for Essentials

ORCAS ISLAND GROCERY MARKET - 469 Market Street B, Eastsound

RAY’S PHARMACY AND GIFTS – 68 N Beach Road, Eastsound

ORCAS ISLAND HARDWARE & SUPPLY– 421 N. Beach Road, Eastsound

Where to Explore

Marine Excursions

WHALE WATCHING TOURS 360-376-5989

Deer Harbor Charters is simply the best way to see and learn about Orca whales and other marine wildlife of the San Juan Islands. Daily (seasonal) educational narrated trips with experienced captain/naturalists aboard leave the Rosario Marina daily (please call for times). https://deerharborcharters.com/

KAYAK TOURS 360-376-4699

Enjoy a sea kayak tour with Shearwater Adventures, departing the Rosario Marina and guided by a knowledgeable and experienced guide (seasonal). Whether you are trying sea kayaking for the first time or wanting to improve your paddling skills, there is a tour or class for you. This is a great opportunity to learn about the marine aspects of our beautiful island and its surroundings. https://shearwaterkayaks.com/

SAILING 360-376-5989

Deer Harbor Charters offers a relaxing sail aboard the gaff rigged sloop, SIMPLICITY. Sailing trips are guided by a USCG licensed captain/naturalist. Departs directly from the Rosario Marina (seasonal). Sunset and custom trips are also available. https://deerharborcharters.com/

Transportation

Kenmore Air (seaplane): 866-435-9524 https://www.kenmoreair.com/

San Juan Airlines: 800-874-4434 http://sanjuanairlines.com/

Paraclete Charters: 360-420-5187 https://www.paracletecharters.com/

Island Express Charters: 360-299-2875 https://www.islandexpresscharters.com/

Orcas Cars Rental Car: 206-705-3999 https://www.orcascars.com/

Orcas Island Rental Car: 360-376-7433 https://orcasislandshuttle.com/

San Juan Transit, Tours & Charters: 360-378-8887 http://www.sanjuantransit.com/

Where to Go

OBSTRUCTION PASS STATE PARK

Follow Olga Road south to Obstruction Pass Road for this is great short (1/2 mile) hike. Leading to a south-facing, secluded pebble beach, the view is awe-inspiring. Sheer cliffs, sweeping views, and enchanting forests lead to the shoreline below. Proper footwear is recommended, as the hike is primitive in areas. Washington State “Discover” Parking Passes are required (available at the park office) for $10/day or $30/ year.

TURTLEBACK MOUNTAIN PRESERVE

Rising dramatically from the west side of Orcas Island and visible throughout the archipelago and beyond, Turtleback Mountain offers visitors some of the most spectacular natural landscapes and scenic vistas in the San Juan Islands. An 8-mile trail network spans the turtle’s “back,” connecting the preserve’s north and south trailheads.

BICYCLE RENTALS

Bicycle rentals are available for 1-day, 3-day, or weekly rentals. Helmets are included, and the friendly folks will outfit and size you properly. Call Wildlife Cycles in Eastsound at 360-376-4708.

ORCAS ISLAND GOLF COURSE

The Orcas Island Golf Course is open to the public and is just 20 minutes from the resort. This is a PGA-rated nine-hole course (with alternate tees for those wishing to play 18) with rentals and power carts available. 360-376-4400.

MORAN STATE PARK

More than 5,000 acres, 38 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, plus lakes and waterfalls to explore and get back to nature. Experience the beautiful drive up Mt. Constitution to the observation tower and enjoy a 360-degree view of the San Juan Archipelago, Vancouver Island, and the Cascade & Olympic Mountain Ranges. Paddle boat rentals are available at the Cascade Lake Picnic Area. Washington State “Discover” Parking Passes are required (available at the park office) for $10 a day or $30 a year.

ORCAS CENTER

Concerts, theatre, art exhibits, & special events. Call 360-376-2281 for performances and times.

ORCAS ISLAND FARMERS MARKET

Island Fresh, Island Made. The Orcas Island Farmer’s Market is a weekly gathering of farmers, artists, and chefs, all sharing goods produced on Orcas Island. Saturdays from May - September. 10 am - 3 pm on Eastsound’s Village Green.

ORCAS ISLAND SKATE PARK

World-Class skate park for boarders and in-line skaters. The park is located on school grounds at Buck Park, which includes tennis courts, basketball court, and ball fields.

More to Do

Galleries and Museums

JAMES HARDMAN GALLERY

Featuring original paintings and music by Orcas Island artist James Hardman. 360-376-4588.

OLGA POTTERY

Olga Pottery is the studio/showroom of Jerry Weatherman, creating a remarkably wide variety of finely crafted porcelain and stoneware on Orcas since 1980. Olga. 360-376-4648.

ORCAS ARTS & GIFTS

Sea glass, local handmade jewelry, blown glass, Northwest Native American art, carvings, prints, beads from the world; museum quality fossil specimens. Jewelry repair while you wait. 208-341-4429.

ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS GALLERY

A favorite Orcas destination housed in a historic building on the island's East side. 360-376-1440.

CROW VALLEY POTTERY

Art gallery featuring art from the San Juan Islands and the greater PNW region. 360-376-4260.

FOREST CERAMIC GALLERY

Handmade, experimental ceramics, jewelry, vases, candles and more. 608-445-8280

ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM

In the 1950s and 1960s, various island families donated six original homestead cabins built during the 1870s and the 1890s to the Historical Society. These cabins not only house the collections, but are considered important historical artifacts in themselves. The museum features aspects of island history as told through the life stories and material culture of the First Peoples and early European-American settlers of this area. In the heart of Eastsound Village. 360-376-4849.

ORCAS ISLAND POTTERY

Beautiful jewel toned functional art, set in an enchanted forest that opens to a water-view location in an 1860’s log cabin. Displays the work of more than 20 artists. On West Beach Road. 360-376-2813

PETER C. FISHER GALLERY

Limited edition photographs available in small, medium and large sizes made by Peter C. Fisher. Island scenes and conceptual imagery. 360-376-5955

Rosario History

Stepping into the Moran Mansion at Rosario is like stepping back in time. Built between 1906-1909 by Seattle shipbuilder and former Mayor Robert Moran, the Mansion features original photographs from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, original furnishings and fixtures, and an extensive display of the ships built by the Moran Brothers Company in Seattle.

Originally from New York City, Robert Moran arrived on the Seattle waterfront in 1875 with a dime in his pocket. He became a ship’s engineer and was fortunate to work on several of John Muir’s Alaska expeditions. Eventually joined in Seattle by his brothers, Moran formed The Moran Bros. Company, a small family ship repair business that grew into a supplier for the Yukon Gold Rush, then a major West coast shipyard. The Moran Bros. Company quickly became Seattle’s largest employer when it won a naval contract to build the battleship U.S.S. Nebraska in 1902.

By 1904, the stress of business had taken a toll on Moran’s health and he was given only a few years to live. He purchased 7,000 acres on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands in Northern Puget Sound, an area originally used as transient hunting and fishing grounds for the Lummi Tribe of the Salish Nation. He began to build his retirement home with the same integrity as his ocean-going vessels: massive and solid, yet elegant and gracious. Free from the pressures of his business, Moran recovered and lived until 1943!

The design of the Moran Mansion was inspired not only by Moran’s nautical background but also by the popular Arts and Crafts movement of the time. The movement had emerged as a revolt to the industrial revolution from a humanist perspective. The shift of labor from man to machine had robbed craftsmen of the pleasure of seeing their work through from conception to completion, as the traditional values of quality and beauty were being replaced by economy and profit. Moran saw this transpiring every day at his shipyard. The Arts and Crafts movement offered a mindset being promoted in America by Gustav Stickley’s “The Craftsman” Magazine – a devotion to the honesty of craftsmanship, simplicity of design, and the joys of nature.

Moran’s dedication to the Arts and Crafts ideals is evident throughout Mansion with its rich mahogany paneling, earthen tone tiles, stain glass lighting, and unique fireplace hearths. The centerpiece of The Mansion is the Music Room, featuring a two story 1913 Aeolian pipe organ, 1900 Steinway grand piano, a Belgian stain-glass window picturing the harbor at Antwerp, and two mezzanine libraries overlooking a Tiffany chandelier, which depicts various performing arts.

Moran hired the leading landscape architectural firm of the day, Olmsted Brothers, to enhance the grounds with their trademark naturalistic landscapes, water features and paths – elements designed to encourage the exploration of nature.

In 1911, Moran offered Washington State thousands of acres to become one of Washington’s first State Parks. This donation was highly influenced by his early association with preservationist John Muir and by the conservation policies of President Roosevelt. Today, the resort property borders one of Washington’s premier state parks, Moran State Park.

In 1938, at the age of 75, Moran sold Rosario to Donald Rheem for $50,000. Rheem was the founder of Rheem Manufacturing in the San Francisco Bay area, known today for their water heaters and heat pumps. Rosario was Rheem’s vacation home for 20 years, but his wife Alice ended up making it her permanent residence…literally. Stories from employees and guests of her ghost still haunting The Mansion make for a unique paranormal attraction.

Texan Ralph Curtain purchased Rosario from Rheem in 1958, but his dream of turning the estate into a resort quickly ended when his oil wells dried up. He sold Rosario in 1960 for $225,000 – half the original purchase price – to Gil Geiser of Seattle. Geiser sold a bowling alley and hardware store to open Rosario Resort on April 1, 1960.

Geiser sold Rosario for $5.5 million in 1980, to three investors from Seattle — Manfred Cieslik, Gerta Faust and Jim Roberts. They went bankrupt in 1984 and Geiser got Rosario back. He died in 1987 and his wife, Sarah, owned Rosario until 1994, when she sold it to Red Rock Resorts of Arizona. Red Rock Resorts investor Jessica Cato bought Rosario in 1996, then sold it in 1998 to Olympus Real Estate of Dallas, Texas.

In 2008, current owners Jerrel Barto of Anacortes, and his son, Craig Barto, who also own Signal Hill Petroleum bought Rosario at auction and spent millions of dollars on improvements including new marina docks, restaurant kitchens, roofing on the Cascade Bay Grill & Store, rebuilding three swimming pools, remodeling some guest rooms and installing a hydro generator.

Today, Rosario Resort & Spa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Explore the Resort's Surroundings

Enjoy a walking tour of Rosario’s beautiful grounds, originally designed by the nation’s premier landscape architects the Olmsted Brothers. Start at the Point Lawn (directly west of the Mansion) with its spectacular vistas of East Sound and Cascade Bay. Follow the path down towards the Mansion Pool and continue along the water on the path that leads you by the Roundhouse Suite, originally the Moran children’s “playhouse” (this is a guest room, so please pass quietly). Continue along the path towards the marina jetty for a bird’s eye view of boating and seaplane activity. Walk by the marina and then along the walkway by the historic figure-eight shaped Canoe Pond and the “America” figurehead. Robert Moran salvaged this figurehead after the ship went aground on San Juan Island. She has stood watch over Cascade Bay since 1916. Look for seashells and driftwood along Cascade Bay beach.

Rosario has deer that graze on the property. They are friendly and frequently sighted all over the island. When walking near or approaching deer, please do so slowly and cautiously. There are more bald eagles in the San Juan region than anywhere else in the United States, outside of Alaska. River otters live by the bay and are seen regularly frolicking on the docks, as well as small, reddish minks. Curious harbor seals live in the bay and will keep an eye on you as you keep an eye on them. The clear water along the shoreline makes for great undersea creature observations, including colorful sea stars and sun stars. For divers, a resident octopus has his home in front of the Moran Mansion, 50 feet below the water’s surface.