BJ's Garden Gate

Mardi enjoys the story about BJ's passion for English gardens and how that inspired the B&B owners, BJ and Frank Paton, to build this waterfront Victorian style Bed and Breakfast.

While on a driving trip through the Sequim Dungeness Valley (known to pilots as the Blue Hole), on their way to Butchart Gardens in Victoria B.C., they fell in love with the area's beauty and the notion of how the Olympic Mountains keeps the rain at bay on this part of the North Olympic Peninsula. For the Paton's there was nothing left to do but quit their corporate life and build BJ's Garden Gate! BJ and Frank have also traveled extensively in Europe, staying in bed and breakfasts, visiting castles and touring gardens. The European experience (and learning what B&B travelers' value) was simply in their blood. Mix European charm with southern hospitality and you begin to get the picture of why they listened to their hearts that day. It's a feeling you too will come to know when you visit.

Built with a B&B in Mind

All guest rooms have oversized picture windows giving a panoramic view of the ocean and gardens. There are four guest suites and all are furnished with period European antiques representing the rulers for which each room is named.

Victoria's Repose, named after Queen Victoria, has a unique English Oak canopy bed and a private porch with a two person hot tub. Napoleon's Retreat enjoys a view of the San Juan Islands, while Marie Antoinette's Boudoir, and Ludwig's Chamber enjoy a view of Victoria Harbor. All four guest suites have a private oversized bath, fireplace (with remote control) and Jacuzzi spa for two.

English Gardens

The B&B is surrounded by two and one-half acres of English gardens and woodland gardens with towering western red cedars and hundreds of rhododendrons. Starting with an empty lot, BJ and Frank have created exceptional gardens- they were recently featured in Country Gardens magazine with an eight page spread featuring the unique collection of plants including BJ's favorite Himalayan blue poppy. Plus, the back gardens overlook nautical miles of blue water leading into the harbor of Victoria in British Columbia.

Mardi's favorite vantage point is from the swing on the large front porch (framed by hanging flower baskets) that looks toward the snow-capped Olympic Mountains. More than once we've spotted whales and often see eagles surfing the air currents overhead while sitting in the back garden overlooking the ocean. Come evening, romantic sunsets are an everyday affair.

Breakfast with a View

You will enjoy a panoramic ocean views from the dining room window as you enjoy BJ's creative traditional breakfast. Mardi's favorite is their baked French stuffed toast made with fresh-picked raspberries from the Sequim Dungeness Valley Farms. I heartily agree, although the chocolate chip cookies served each evening are every bit as delicious.

I read about the inn in a garden magazine and couldn't wait to see the gardens for my self--sure wasn't disappointed either!