5 Bike Tours to take on Bird Rock's Free Beach Cruisers

You have cleverly chosen the one San Juan Island hotel offering complimentary beach cruisers for their guests to check out on a first come first serve basis. Those are sturdy, single speed bikes with balloon tires, so much fun to ride and are not meant to replace island transportation altogether.

San Juan Island, an ancient mountaintop from a different time, is very hilly. Even though it has been done by the few and the brave, we don’t recommend to take our cruisers all over the island or rely on them as your only mode of transportation. We do, however, recommend the 5 lovely outings below, guest tested and Bird Rock staff approved.

1) Breakfast at Jackson’s Beach - 2 miles RT

Get coffee, breakfast or lunch at the Saturday Farmer's Market or one of the cute coffee shops within blocks of our hotel. Take Argyle Street out of town, cruise by the fairgrounds and take a left on Pear Point Road. You'll see the beach on your right. Jackson’s has a volleyball net, shelter, barbecues, bathrooms and picnic benches. The waters are calm, the drift wood beach is pebbly and you’ll see the Olympics glistening in the background.

Go back as you came.

2) Pear Point Loop and then Ice Cream - 5 miles RT

This easy loop around Friday Harbor is perfect for families with kids.

Take Argyle Street out of town and take a left on Pear Point Loop. Cruise by Jackson’s Beach and continue along the water, through fields and by very impressive homes. There are plenty of places to stop and take in the view. The Loop gets you back into Friday Harbor where the ferry lands…and where the San Juan Ice Cream Co. is.

3) Tasting at San Juan Vineyards - 6 miles RT

Take Tucker Avenue out of town. It becomes Roche Harbor Road. Cruise through fertile farm valleys until you see the picturesque vineyard on your right.

Treat yourself to a wine tasting and browse cute wine memorabilia at the historic tasting room and gift shop and go back the way you came.

4) Golfing and Cocktails - 4 miles RT

Take Mullis Street out of town. When it makes a sharp right turn after the airport, continue straight onto Golf Course Road. Cruise along this scenic road until you reach the golf course.

Rent clubs and play a leisurely 9 hole or a committed 18 hole before enjoying a drink and a snack at the Greenside Grill. Go back as you came.

5) Glockenspiel & Horses - 5 miles RT

Take Mullis Street out of town. Follow uphill until you come to Madden Lane on your right. Follow Madden Lane until you see a white chapel in an ancient cemetery. Stop and walk through the graves overgrown with lichen and wild flowers, underneath majestic Gary oaks. The white chapel's Glockenspiel plays on the hour.

Continue on Madden Lane. Take a right on Douglas Road. Follow until you reach San Juan Valley Road.

If you are a horse lover, visit the Horseshue Guest Ranch on the corner and swap the cruiser for a horse.

Take a right onto San Juan Valley Road to get back to Friday Harbor.