A 40th Birthday Picnic for 25 by the Pier

For his wife's 40th birthday in May 2024, one husband came to us with a clear picture of what he wanted, literally. He shared a reference photo of a layout, and we arranged the picnic to match it for 25 guests on the beach in front of Perry's Beach Cafe near Lifeguard Tower 12.

Two canopies were placed right next to each other so they read as a single large shade structure, with two buffet tables underneath. The guest list leaned vegetarian, so the host picked the sandwiches himself from Mendocino Farms, and the order was delivered to the beach and set out under the canopy. Real tableware replaced disposables, five floral arrangements decorated the tables, and a live guitarist played during the picnic, which ran from noon to 3pm.

Cornhole, ladder toss, Spikeball and bocce kept guests busy between courses, an extra cooler of ice kept drinks cold, and the chalkboard carried a birthday message for the guest of honor.