Writing Retreat on San Juan Island
Join me, Christopher P. DeLorenzo, for a week-long retreat in the quiet town of Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island, September 10-16, 2025.
San Juan is located off the coast of Washington state, only three hours from Seattle, but it feels like another world. Known for its abundant wildlife, protected waters, and fresh, locally produced food, this 55 square mile island is a world of its own. Because it is part of the San Juan Islands archipelago, the weather here is milder than in Seattle, and generally less rainy. I’ve visited several times now in order to find the best lodging, shopping, and eating locales, and find it to be the perfect place for a writing retreat.
The Format:
You’ll begin every morning with a personalized breakfast (served right to your room), followed by a three-hour writing workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
After the workshop, we’ll sit down to have lunch together (we’ll go out for lunch one day too), then meet up again for dinner at 7:00. Retreats at Laguna Writers allow you plenty of free time during the afternoon to read, nap, work on your writing, or take some time to walk into town. Friday Harbor has some wonderfully eclectic businesses, a great bookstore, and is easily walkable. If you want to do some shopping, or sample some of its locally made ice cream, we’ll be staying just a short walk from the town center.
On a few afternoons, you can join the group for a trip to the local winery, a visit to Roche Harbor’s sculpture garden, and a few sight-seeing trips to local beaches and lighthouses.
What’s included:
Your own private room and bathroom (see the links and fees for these in the section below)
Breakfast every morning, delivered to your room
Four lunches, four dinners, and one sunset picnic at a local beach
Five three-hour writing workshops
Transportation on the island (and guidance for transportation to the island)
Guided day trips to the local winery, a sculpture garden, and some great shops
Two gentle hikes to see historic lighthouses
One on one feedback with me on a piece of your writing (up to 15 pages, submitted before the retreat)
A welcome bag with local gifts
What’s not included:
Flights/Transportation to Seattle or Anacortes
The fare for the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor
One lunch out and one (prix fixe) dinner out
Want to know more? Check out the FAQs page, or send me an email and we can schedule a time to talk. (You can also text me at 415 846 1447).
The charming facade of Tucker House Bed and Breakfast, our home base during the retreat.
One of the many comfy beds at Tucker House
Guest rooms and fees at the Tucker House Inn:
The retreat includes nine people total. Five of the rooms have already been chosen.
Choose from one of these remaining rooms (all rooms on the retreat have their own bathroom): Patience Corner or Secret Passage.
There are also two private bedrooms to choose from in the San Juan Suite (as well as two bathrooms). The group will write in the spacious living room there, so the common space will be shared during those hours.
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The retreat includes days trips to explore the beauty of San Juan Island: enjoy the slide show below of some of the sights we’ll see.
