In need of a vacation away from all the hustle and bustle of the city? This weekend, take a sweethearts' getaway to the top five islands to visit in the United States and Canada (as ranked by Travel and Leisure magazine): the San Juan islands. Overflowing with childish discoveries, romantic hideaways, peaceful relaxation and exciting adventures, the islands offer every traveler the perfect vacation. Not only do the San Juan islands claim to have 247 days of sun and half the rain as the mainland, they are also less than half a day's travel away.

The scheduling is a little hectic due to a number of transfers. There is a lot of leeway if the time is taken for careful planning, all of which can be done online at the sites indicated after each route. For ease of comprehension, this is a suggested schedule.

To begin, head downtown to Fourth Avenue and Union Street to catch the 7:25 a.m. 510 Everett - Seattle Express Sound Transit bus ( www.soundtransit.org). If leaving on a weekday, the route 513 will work just the same. Take the 510 or 513 to the Everett Station, about a 50-minute ride. At the Everett Station, transfer to the 90 Express Everett Connection on Skagit Transit (www.skat.baron-co.com). It leaves every half hour from 6-8:30 a.m. and then again from 4:30-6:50 p.m. Take the 8:30 a.m. 90 Express to the Skagit Station, a 50-minute ride. At Skagit Station, transfer to the 10 a.m. 513 Route toward Anacortes to the March's Point Park and Ride. From there, take the 11:15 a.m. 410 Anacortes Circuit route. Take the 410 bus straight to the Washington State Ferry dock (www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries), then take the 2:30 p.m. ferry to the San Juan Islands.

Take advantage of the two-hour gap between bus and ferry times as a buffer zone for a missed transfer. Or, if the journey was timely, enjoy a nice lunch in Anacortes. The ferries do offer food on board, but the prices are exceptionally high.

An hour later, wash ashore at San Juan's beautiful Friday Harbor. The picturesque waterfront will entice newcomers with ice cream shops and souvenir stands. Head on over to Susie's Mopeds on Nichols Street, just up the way from the ferry docks. For $25 an hour, enjoy the back roads of the scenic island by moped. Don't forget to visit the llama farms on the far side of the island.

Later, be sure to hit up Friday's Crabhouse for some amazing clam chowder and all-you-can-eat crab meals. After dinner, venture through downtown Friday Harbor. Art galleries, boutiques, funky tourist shops, candy stores and bars scatter the pedestrian-friendly central area.

If planning on staying the night, the island offers many hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts and campgrounds. But by far the best (and quite possibly most expensive) place to stay is the Roche Harbor Resort. Shuttles bring you to the quiet north end of the island, making Roche Harbor a small town all in itself. The gardens, dating from 1886, offer biblical images of Adam and Eve, while the private harbor boasts the atmosphere of Waterworld.

For sweethearts' day, Country Corner Cellars on Orcas Island is offering "Port, Chocolate and Sparkler Tasting" on Feb. 10. All weekend long, San Juan Vineyards presents "Cabernet and Chocolates" wine tasting on the main island. Other attractions include the renowned lavender farm on the north end, whale watching tours, hiking, kayaking and pretty much anything one could possibly imagine.

Reach columnist Tina Abrams at features@thedaily.washington.edu.