This year don’t wait until February 13th to make a hasty Valentine’s Day plan or to grab some flowers and a teddy bear on your way home. Instead treat the love of your life to a romantic San Juan Island getaway to have time for each other and make new memories. Right around Valentine’s Day we here on the isl enjoy a tiny teaser of Spring with stunning sunny days and the first wildflowers emerging. On the wild side, last year we saw an abundance of Biggs Killer Whales as early as February, plus this is the time to watch the seabirds migrate. Are you ready for your romantic island getaway? Here is your romantic island getaway Must-Do list:
1) Romantic Jacuzzi Suite in the heart of town
For lodging, check out the adorable, historic Bird Rock Hotel a block and a half from the ferry dock. Many of their 15 unique rooms offer luxurious jacuzzi tubs, some even offer a harbor view or a private outdoor hot tub and a (indoor) fire place.
Insider Tip: Add a bottle of champagne, island made salted caramels and/or a spa decadence box for your room on arrival.
2) Couple’s Massage at Spa at Earthbox
A relaxing couple’s massage at the delightful Spa at Earthbox might be just what Cupid ordered. Make it an Open Sky Signature massage, which incorporates a mini-facial and some hot stone work and feel the tension and stress leave your body.
Insider Tip: both Earthbox and Bird Rock hotel guests get to use the Earthbox’ indoor, heated pool, sauna, hot tub and exercise room for free.
3) Romantic Dinner
Friday Harbor is dotted with cozy Farm-to-Table restaurants offering delicious island fare and fresh seafood. For a truly memorable experience, head a few miles out of town and find San Juan Island’s renowned Duck Soup restaurant in the woods by a lake. Duck Soup serves local farm produce, meat and seafood, foraged edibles from land and sea, and local goods from island crafts-people in a lodge like setting.
Insider Tip: Their handcrafted cocktails made with island spirits and seasonal botanicals are to die for.
4) Distillery Tasting
Speaking of island made spirits: San Juan Island is the proud home of a vineyard, two breweries and San Juan Distillery, which also produces Westcott Bay Ciders. The distillery and cidery are open for tours and free tastings on Saturdays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. The grounds are gorgeous and their shiny all-copper Adrian still is worth a visit alone.
Insider Tip: San Juan Distillery’s award winning spirits are rarely distributed outside of San Juan County and make a unique gift for a special occasion.
5) Bonfire at South Beach
San Juan Island’s longest beach on the south end of the isle is truly remarkable. This rugged drift wood beach is the perfect place for a bonfire and picnic while watching the sun set over the snow-covered Olympic mountains and the moon rise over majestic Mt. Baker.
Insider Tip: Bring your binoculars and watch Bald eagles, foxes, otters and sea lions feed right around sunset.
6) Whale Watch Tour
With the Humpback comeback and the vast increase of Biggs Killer Whales in recent years our whale watching season really doesn’t end or start anymore. Treat yourself to a whale watch tour with Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching in one of their super-fast, super comfy, heated zodiacs and see what’s out there.
Insider Tip: Don’t spend all of your time trying to get that amazing shot of a whale. Enjoy the ride instead, really take in your surroundings, the sights and smells (hello, sea lions!), the sounds of the whales breaching and singing. Then sign up for Maya’s newsletter and get the most amazing photos taken with professional cameras sent to you.
7) Sculpture Park
Close to San Juan Distillery on the north end of the island, find the 20-acre San Juan Sculpture Park with over 150 sculptures and poems on display along five trails through woods, along Westcott Bay and around a natural lake. A breathtaking place to get inspired, have a picnic or just a little stroll before dinner.
Insider Tip: Write a wish on a piece of paper and place it in one of the gorgeous Tibetan wishing urns.
8) Buy a Souvenir together
Meander the streets of completely walkable Friday Harbor. Check out the seven galleries and countless craft and souvenir stores and pick a souvenir to remember your trip. Perhaps a beautiful painting or a photograph of San Juan Island, something fancy for the kitchen at Gourmet Galley or island-made jewelry and accessories from Deer Hazel Boutique.
Insider Tip: San Juan Island has more working artists than any other county in Washington State. Make a point of buying something unique and island made.