Another year older, another year wiser. So wise in fact, you’ve made the wonderful decision to spend your birthday weekend in the beautiful San Juan Islands! Now the real question is: how should we spend our time?
Well, we specialize in planning, so we’ve got your ideal Birthday Itinerary all laid out. Enjoy and Happy Birthday from the San Juan Island Inn Collection team!
Friday:
12:00 pm: Able to get out of work early on Friday? First and foremost, make a reservation for the Friday Harbor ferry online! Then head north from Seattle about two hours drive to the little oceanside town of Anacortes. Make sure to plan enough time to arrive at the ferry landing at least thirty minutes prior your ferry’s scheduled departure. So for a 2:40pm sailing, you’ll want to leave Seattle around noon at the latest. Don’t forget to bring that new camera you got as a birthday present from your sweetie – you’ll be glad you did!
2:40pm: Once aboard, leave your vehicle on the car deck and make the most of the 75 minute sailing. Visit the sunny upper deck and get a 270 degree view of our archipelago. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous black dorsal fins of our local Orca pods. Or perhaps a harbor seal, humpback, or porpoise. Sightings happen for those who look!
When it’s time to escape the summer wind, buy a local beer or glass of wine from the ferry galley and settle in for the rest of the ride. Cheers to a great start to your Birthday Weekend!
4:00pm: Check-in time! You searched and searched, scrolling through reviews online and decided the Tucker House Inn seemed fit for a birthday – with romantic amenities, downtown location, gourmet breakfast and free bike/kayak rentals. Upon your arrival and greeting by the friendly innkeepers, you feel right at home. They have even left you fresh baked cookies aside your Birthday Card! Drop your bags off in your King B&B room, “Castle Wall”, and its time to hit the town.
5:00pm: During your first evening in Friday Harbor, take the time to explore our little town on foot, just a couple of blocks from your cozy accommodation. Stop in at San Juan Brewery for a flight of island made beers before wandering over to Spring Street, Friday Harbor’s main street.
7:00pm For dinner, we recommend you follow your nose. Go casual with a beer and a burger at Herbs Tavern, an island staple, or try some of the best table fare the San Juan Islands have to offer at Tops’l Sushi and Seafood. For a full list of restaurants to choose from, visit the Chamber of Commerce site.
Saturday:
8:30am: Rise and shine! It’s another beautiful day on San Juan Island. After taking in a few deep breaths of island air from your private balcony overlooking town, mosy on over to the Garden Room Cafe, where your fresh, local, multi-course breakfast will be served to you and your fellow Bed & Breakfast guests. Enjoy fresh fruit, locally-roasted coffee and our famous homemade granola and yogurt before the hot entree is revealed. I hope you’re hungry!
10:00pm: After discovering the guests staying in the room next to yours have also lived in Klamath Falls, Oregon, ands the ones across from you have too vacationed at that resort in Puerto Vallarta, it’s time to leave the breakfast table and size the day. Your innkeepers have booked you a Kayaking Tour* and your guide will pick you two up at 11:00am downtown. Better get ready!
*Or if you’d prefer a more relaxing excursion, your innkeepers would be happy to arrange a Whale Watching Tour for you! Still an amazing experience, no rowing involved. We have a list of companies we prefer and recommend to our guests to ensure you the best possible experience.
11:00am: After grabbing another cup o’ joe and one our town’s numerous coffee shops and listening to some local artists play their steel drums over the harbor, you see your Kayaking Guide arrive to the pickup spot for your day trip through the San Juan Islands. Don’t forget your sunglasses, sunscreen and boxed lunches that Chef Jessica at the Tucker House Inn prepared for your journey!
6:00pm: What a day! You’re exhausted but fulfilled, and have plenty of Instagram-worthy photos in your camera roll that you can’t wait to share. Time to relax in your room’s large soaking tub filled with our complimentary lavender bubble bath. Then it’s time to get dolled-up for your special birthday dinner. Good thing you made reservations for Coho Restaurant!
7:30pm: This restaurant is a must when you’re looking for an elegant culinary experience in Friday Harbor. Share a bottle of local Washington wine while enjoying a starter of local Lopez Island pink scallops and Wescott Bay Oysters. Take your time enjoying the friendly service and intimate ambience that Coho Restaurant provides to its guests. Once you sink your teeth into that filet of Salish Sea Halibut or Cornish Game Hen, you’ll see why we value using fresh local table fare. Our menu is always evolving, so you never know what ingredients each new season will bring!
Sunday:
9:00am A leisurely Sunday morning breakfast awaits you once more. After packing up and bidding farewell to your Tucker House Innkeepers, you go ahead and park your car in the ferry line. If you have time before your ferry departs, walk off your breakfast with one last stroll downtown, making your way to the Friday Harbor Marina to look at the boats, breathe in the fresh ocean air and take in the views of the harbor.
11:00am Grab a made-to-order sandwich from Spring Street Deli, as lunch on the ferry! Make the most of your scenic sailing and enjoy the smooth ride back to reality.