Orcas Island is listed in the No. 33 position on the New York Times world list, published Jan. 9.

The Times captioned its photo: “A small Island is attracting big-time foodies.” It goes on to say, “The horseshoe-shaped Orcas, one of the largest islands that make up the San Juan archipelago, has gained fame in recent years for its impressive tide-to-table culinary scene and experimental wines, attracting among others, Oprah Winfrey.”

It features shout-outs to Doe Bay Wine Company, James Beard-nominated chef Jay Blackinton, the Outlook Inn for its waterfront cottages and the expansion of Moran State Park.

The San Juan Islands were last honored on a New York Times annual world list in 2011 when they were in the No. 2 spot. The Times introduced the islands’ description with “Bold-face restaurateurs vie with unspoiled nature. Nature wins.”

The description continues with praises for the islands’ dining scene, the “eternal lure of the San Juans” is credited to its landscapes where “pastoral hills give way to broody forests and scrappy escarpments that overlook fjord-like inlets.” Praise was also given for active land preservation efforts and “moody water as magically lighted as a Bierstadt painting.”

Previous to that the San Juan Islands were honored on a New York Times annual list in 2008, in its “31 Places to Go this Summer” in the United States. In that list, the San Juans held the No. 14 position.

Other West Coast destinations chosen for the “52 Places to Go in 2019” list include Santa Barbara (in the #2 position) and Los Angeles (No. 41 position). Other global destinations chosen for the 2019 list include Puerto Rico (in the No. 1 position) and Hampi, India (No. 2 position) and Panama (No. 4 position), to name a few.

To read the entire article, visit https://nyti.ms/2ss27S5.