Where to Live: Northern Kitsap County, WA

Byron Street leads you into the waterfront downtown area of Silverdale, locally known as Old Town. Immediately on your left side, you’ll pass the yellow storefront of Monica’s, a cozy upstairs cafe where you can grab a cup of coffee and a pastry or boxed lunch to go. From quiche to panini to classic deli sandwiches, this is a great place to grab a quick bite. Just past Monica’s is the Hub, a new restaurant that occupies the old Cash brewery. The Hub is a great spot to grab a beer and a meal, with classic appetizers, pizza, burgers, and sandwiches. Up ahead, take a left, but look out your right side to get a look at Silverdale Waterfront Park on the opposite corner. The park is the heart of Old Town, providing Silverdale with a place for picnics and gatherings on the water’s edge. With a playground and public beach access, it’s a great place for families to enjoy a day in the summer sun. The park is also the starting point of the Clear Creek Trail, a multi-use trail that connects the Waterfront, Old Mill Park, and the Silverdale Dog Park, with three miles of wooded footpaths and paved walkways. Heading north on Washington Avenue, you’ll drive past several salons and offices that operate out of Silverdale’s bungalow-style homes. Continue straight through the stop sign up ahead, but look down Bay Shore to your right to see one of the waterfront’s best restaurants, the Yacht Club Broiler. This casual seafood spot is a local favorite, with a menu featuring classic chowders, fresh-caught pacific salmon, and delicious pasta dishes. The restaurant also features a lounge area with craft cocktails, draught beers, and an extensive wine list. Up ahead, the road you’re on terminates at Silverdale Way, where you’ll take a right onto Silverdale’s main commercial strip. At the corner, you’ll find Our Place, a classic pub that takes pride in friendly service and good beer. In addition to classic bar food and a homey atmosphere, they also host weekly events like karaoke on Wednesdays and Saturdays and live music on Fridays.

Silverdale Way is where you’ll find the essential businesses that keep Silverdale running. On your left, you’ll pass the grocery store, a hardware outlet, and a fun escape room, while on your right you’ll see a bank, an antique store, and several restaurants, including a Mexican taqueria, Japanese Teriyaki place, and an Italian restaurant. Silverdale way will take us out of town to the next stop on our tour. Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of important landmarks. Up first is the Kitsap mall, located on your left side. Featuring outlets from all your favorite brands, the mall’s central location in the county makes it the peninsula’s biggest shopping destination. In addition to department stores like Macy’s, JCPenney, and Kohl’s, you’ll find brands like H&M, American Eagle, Victoria’s Secret, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, and DICK’S Sporting Goods. A little further along, after you’ve left the retail area, you’ll pass Danny’s BBQ on the left. This Texas-style barbecue restaurant is such a hit among locals that some people ask Danny’s to cater their weddings! You can dine in or order smoked meats by the pound for carryout.

Keep an eye out for Bennington Drive, where a brown sign on your right indicates a turn for Island Lake Park. This county park has a dedicated swimming area and is a popular spot for fishing by canoe and kayak. Though there is also a dedicated fishing pier on the lake. Unfortunately, storm damage from the summer of 2021 has led to its closure. At the time of this tour’s creation in the summer of 2022, the county is still assessing its repair. In addition to the lake itself, Island Lake park is home to the Community Building, which is a rentable event venue in a rustic log-cabin style. There’s also an 80-seat picnic pavilion with electrical outlets and group barbecue grills. The neighborhood that surrounds Island Lake is also worth noting. A suburban community of winding streets, cul-de-sacs, and adorable single-family homes make up a great place to live, including Emerald Heights Elementary School which is within walking distance. Of course, one can’t drive through this section of Kitsap County without mentioning Bangor Trident Base, which occupies a seven-mile stretch along the coast to your left. This Submarine Base, along with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, forms the greater Naval Base Kitsap, the county’s largest single employer. The only Pacific base for Trident nuclear submarines, the Bangor base began its service in 1942 as a shipping depot to the Pacific Fleet during WWII. Let’s head toward Poulsbo next.

Ever been to an underwater museum? Neither have we! If you have time to go check it out, turn right on Highway 308 and follow it over the bridge. You will see a sign for the US Naval Undersea museum just past the bridge. Here’s a bit about it. Indulge the inner submariner in you and learn about the history of the navy’s undersea activities and advancements throughout the years. Submarine technology, torpedo and mine warfare, research, and historic rescue missions await your discovery. If you enjoyed the films, The Hunt For Red October, Crimson Tide, and K-19 Widowmaker, you’ll enjoy separating fact from fiction, discovering the capabilities of submarines, and the roles they’ve played in warfare. Among the highlights at the museum is a re-creation of the control room of USS Greenling, which still has the actual equipment and consoles removed from the attack submarine when it was decommissioned. “Flood tubes 3 and 4. Launch countermeasures!” Sorry. Just felt like a captain there for a moment. Salvaging is a big part of submarining and the museum has nearly 40,000 artifacts on display and some incredible stories to tell about them. If you’re hungry after absorbing all that new knowledge, the Torpedo Town Diner is a block north on Washington Ave. Try their Burger of Death as you reminisce about the time you commanded a ship in the North Atlantic. “Right full rudder. 20 degrees down bubble, dive!” Aye captain. There I go again. Up next is a picturesque drive to the town of Poulsbo. I’ll see you there!

The City of Poulsbo sits atop the north end of Liberty Bay. Keep an eye on the right side; just before you come around the bend into downtown you’ll pass American Legion Park, a lovely stretch of bayside beach connected to downtown by a wooden boardwalk. Now I’m gonna need you to drive really slowly here because there’s lots to explore. The first thing you’ll see heading into downtown is the Gran Kirk, a former church that’s been converted into high-end condominiums. The name is derived from the Norwegian for “Big Church”, and it’s far from the last bit of Norwegian culture we’ll see on display in Poulsbo. Poulsbo is proud of its Scandinavian heritage. Just past the Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse, you’ll see, on opposite sides of the street, the Poulsbo Heritage Museum and the Sons of Norway lodge, which is part bar, part clubhouse, part event venue, and part cultural education center. The museum, on the left, focuses on the earliest wave of Norwegian immigration to the Kitsap Peninsula in the 1880s, when Poulsbo’s founder Jørgen Eliason settled on Liberty Bay. The museum is operated by the Poulsbo Historical Society, which operates three museums and a public archive in town. As you drive down Front Street, amid the Norwegian flags and folk art galleries, you’ll find a couple of fantastic restaurants and locally owned shops that make “Little Norway” a really special place to live. Are you looking for some sweet stuff? You’ve got it. Sluys Bakery specializes in handcrafted baked goods, including cookies, donuts, cupcakes, dinner rolls, Danish pastries, and specialty Scandinavian items. Over 50 years of experience proves the Sluys know what they're doing and proof is in the pudding (no pun intended). Their donuts are hand-cut and personally fried, then sugared, filled and iced with the secret family recipe glaze. The breads baked at Sluys are a big deal and some are recipes from the Old World, such as Julekake, Stollen, Cardamom bread, Kransekake, and Fattigman. Looking for wine? We all are. Check out State 42 wines. Created by a husband and wife team, this local favorite is the perfect place to meet up with friends or take a bottle or three to go. With wine made from grapes grown sustainably in Eastern Washington and produced here in Kitsap County, you are sure to find something delicious to enjoy. Further along, near the end of Front Street, you’ll find a collection of restaurants and pubs all within a block of one another. You can sip a glass at Details Wine Bar, grab a margarita at Casa Luna, and sit down for a classy dinner at Sogno di Vino, just steps from one another. After dinner, wander across the street to the Slippery Pig Brewery or Brass Kraken Pub for a nightcap, located right on the pier at the Poulsbo marina.. Shortly after the bend in the road, take a left on State Highway 305, a commercial strip that houses convenient grocery stores, pharmacies, fast food options, and various stores and outfitters. 305 will take us north to highway 307, also called Bond Street. Take a right when you get there to head north toward Kingston, and enjoy the scenic drive.

So we don’t have time today, but if you want to explore a really great park sometime, Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park is a short drive up State Hwy 104. There you will find almost 3,500 acres of breathtaking scenery and plenty of walking trails, biking trails, and horseback riding trails. If you don’t bring your horse, bring your kayak! There’s plenty of access to Port Gamble for some adventurous water trails. For now though, keep enjoying your drive as we head toward our next site.

The intersection up ahead with Hansville Road houses a Safeway that serves as the primary grocery option for many of the smaller communities at the north end of Kitsap Peninsula, such as Port Gamble near the Hood Canal Floating Bridge or Hansville, Kitsap County’s northernmost settlement at the end of the road that bears its name. Our route today doesn’t make it all the way out to Hansville, but I’d like to tell you about it as we drive on toward Kingston. Of course, if you feel like making the seven-mile journey out and back, about 25 minutes round-trip, feel free to hang a left on Hansville Road and head over that way. Hansville’s claim to fame is the Point No Point Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on Puget Sound. The area’s unusual name comes from explorer Charles Wilkes, who realized on approach that the “point” is less prominent up close than it appears from the water. Marking the northern border of Puget Sound, where it joins Admiralty Inlet, the lighthouse has been guiding vessels through the strait between the Kitsap Peninsula and Whidbey Island since 1879, when it was lit by a single kerosene lantern. The park that surrounds the lighthouse is known primarily for kite flying and birdwatching. In fact, Point No Point County Park boasts one of the most extensive bird lists in the state; you can expect to see plenty of seabirds, including cormorants, terns, grebes, and plenty more. Bald eagles nest in the area as well, and seeing this majestic bird soaring overhead is quite the experience. If you are a lover of whales, this park is a great place for getting a view of these amazing sea mammals. Orcas, minke and even gray whales pass through the area occasionally, sometimes so close to the shore that the fishermen get a little bit nervous. Hard to blame them, as gray whales can get up to 70,000 pounds and 50 feet long. They are an incredible sight to see. Another fun site are the massive cruise ships you can see heading toward Alaska. Come back sometime and check it all out! Hansville itself is located just up the coast from Point No Point. Although the end of the peninsula was inhabited almost exclusively by the lighthouse keepers from 1880-1890, Norwegian fishermen, including town founder Hans Zachariasen, moved in around the turn of the century. Nowadays, Hansville is a small town of bungalows and Cape Cod-style homes that offer unparalleled views over the water. Its situation on the very end of the peninsula makes Hansville a quiet town, free from through traffic. Though the nearest supermarket is a bit of a hike, Hansville Grocery and Provisions is located right in town, selling coffee, beer, wine, and other essentials. The Grocery is also the location of Hansgrill, the only spot in town where you can grab a hot breakfast, lunch, or dinner. South of town is the vast Buck Lake County Park, which features miles of walking paths through forest and marshlands, a great spot to take a relaxing stroll and maybe even get a glimpse of local wildlife. All right, folks! Kingston is just ahead.

As you drive through Kingston, keep a close eye on the GPS and make a right turn on Washington Boulevard, before the toll booth for the ferry. Kingston came from humble beginnings but has grown into a charming little seaside town. It began as a logging camp, with several shacks and bunkhouses built along Appletree Cove. When the camp was abandoned in 1882, the run-down buildings became a shelter for all manner of vagrants, squatters, and drifters. They ironically named the place “King’s Town”, a joke that lives on to this day. Heading into town, you’ll pass Downpour Brewing, the local taproom, on the right. Although they don’t serve food, locals in the know stop at the Grub Hut, just across the street on your left, and pick up a burger or sandwich before heading in for a cold beer. Just past the Grub Hut, you’ll see SeaWolfe Diner on your right, a brunch spot open every day from 8-3. Right next to the diner is a beloved Kingston gem - The Firehouse Theater. Craig Smith bought the former firehouse and renovated it into the two-screen cineplex it is today. Unfortunately, all that renovation cost Smith more than he expected, making the future of the theater unclear. But, with a much-needed twist of fate, CBS Sunday Morning ran a story about the Firehouse and after only a few hours of airing, a GoFundMe for the theater had raised $140,000 to save the theater. The Firehouse theater had been saved. Locals and visitors love the theater for its hometown feel. It shows both independent films and first run movies. Stadium seating with plenty of space in between rows makes for a comfortable viewing experience, but best of all is the popcorn with REAL butter. You can’t beat that. As you cruise down the tree-lined boulevard leading up to the ferry terminal, keep an eye out for some of the most popular spots in town. The Kingston Ale House is on the right side of the street, at the intersection with Ohio Avenue. This classic pub is a great place for comfort food on a chilly winter’s day. Stop in for Halibut Fish and Chips, Clam Linguine, or Cioppino, a hearty seafood stew with a tomato base. The Ale House is also well known for its amazing burgers and sandwiches. On the left, across from the Ale House, is Mora, a craft ice cream shop with locations in Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island. Interestingly enough, although the franchise’s original locations are all here in Kitsap County, they’ve also added two locations in Nevada and another one all the way in Charleston, South Carolina. Just before you take a right on Washington, you’ll pass Sourdough Willy’s at the corner on the right side of the road. This unique pizzeria makes its sourdough crust using a starter culture that originated in 1897 during the Klondike Gold Rush. As a constantly regenerating leavening agent, sourdough starters were an essential provision for prospectors venturing into the wilderness. Miners would even sleep with their cultures to prevent them from freezing in the cold Yukon winters. Of course, the pizza dough baked at Willy’s is far more sophisticated than 1890s prospector bread. Their pies come in a variety of styles: New York thin-crust, fluffy Sicilian, Detroit style, and traditional Neapolitan. Keep following your navigation, and as you head out of town, you’ll pass the Village Green on your right. This 16-acre public park is home to the Kingston branch of the Kitsap Public Library and features sloping green lawns, a picnic pavilion, and a playground. Up the hill, you’ll find an evergreen copse with walking trails and the Billy Johnson Skate Park. The road to Indianola will also take you close to the North Kitsap Heritage Park, 800 acres of woodland and wild marsh, and the White Horse Golf Club, a public Par-72 course tucked away in the picturesque woods. The rest of our tour will take us down the east coast of the peninsula to Bainbridge Island. Once again, relax and enjoy the views. Next stop, Indianola!

Indianola is a residential community on the north shore of the bay called Port Madison. The wooded streets, beachfront homes, and quiet atmosphere make the town a great place to relax and find peace. Follow Indianola Road until the very end, so you can see the Indianola Pier. You will also find the Indianola Country Store which is actually the only store in town. This deli is known for delicious hot sandwiches and provisions. Indianola was formed around a 1916 ferry dock, which used to take folks across Puget Sound until service ended in 1951. After the ferry shut down, the dock fell into disrepair; it was rebuilt in 1972 and the Improvement Club has been maintaining it ever since. The current pier is a great spot to cast a line for Chinook and Coho Salmon in the summer, fall, and winter. There’s not a lot to say about Indianola that you can’t see by looking. It’s a small community where residents feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed. The cozy homes come in an eclectic mix of architectural styles and are separated by hedgerows and wooded areas. If you're looking for a quiet place to put down roots, Indianola is a great choice. Let’s keep following our navigation to our last stop, Bainbridge Island. Along the way, you’ll pass through Suquamish, at the mouth of the Agate Passage. It’s another beautiful drive, so don’t forget to relax and enjoy.

Hi! We’re back! We are heading into the community of Suquamish now.. The Suquamish tribe, which lent their name to this town, has made their home on the Kitsap Peninsula for thousands of years. The town was built around the site of their largest pre-treaty settlement, a longhouse known locally as Old Man House. When George Vancouver first explored the Sound in 1797, he met and traded with members of the tribe along the coast of Port Madison. During the early 19th century, when the United States made their ambitions to settle Washington clear, two Suquamish chiefs made history by negotiating and keeping the peace during that turbulent time. War Chief Kitsap, for whom the peninsula and county are named, formed a united coalition of the area’s independent bands, strengthening their position. Chief Sealth, for whom the City of Seattle is named, is buried right here in town. His legacy of peacekeeping led to the formation of the Suquamish Reservation, which grants tribal jurisdiction over their ancestral land, including the towns of Suquamish and Indianola. Today, Augusta Avenue is the main throughway in Suquamish. The tribal offices, gaming commission, cultural center, and history museum are all located within a mile of one another along this road. Other important town landmarks include JC’s Grocery and Deli, located on the right next to the post office, and Sully’s Bistro, the town bar and waterfront seafood restaurant located to your left. As you follow Suquamish Way out the south end of town, you’ll come to Highway 305, where you’ll take a left and cross the Agate Passage Bridge onto Bainbridge Island. At the intersection, you’ll also find the Suquamish Clearwater Casino, a destination resort for gamers with a private beach, relaxing spa, and award-winning steakhouse. Just one more town left to see today! The city of Bainbridge Island is located about two-thirds of the way down the island that shares its name; enjoy a relaxing drive through woodlands, wineries, and golf courses, and I’ll meet you there!

Rather than continuing straight onto the Bainbridge-Seattle Ferry, take a right up ahead on Winslow Way to head into downtown Bainbridge Island. The first thing you’ll see on the right is the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, a contemporary museum that hosts rotating exhibitions of the Puget Sound area’s most prominent works and artists. From folk art to the abstract, the styles vary widely, but all the work draws inspiration from this beautiful region and its distinctive natural and cultural identity. Behind the art museum is the Kids Discovery Museum, an interactive educational experience for younger children to play and learn. Its various exhibits and activities are aimed at kids 7 and under. The building directly next door to the art museum houses three businesses that will expand your palate. Agate is an upscale restaurant featuring inventive dishes crafted from local ingredients. The cocktail bar is particularly noteworthy, with handcrafted cocktails featuring exotic ingredients. The same building is also home to the tasting room of Fletcher Winery and the Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse, the latter of which serves small plates and snacks alongside its signature craft brews. Keep on heading down Winslow past the Apothecary and Tea Shop to get a good look at this vibrant and bustling downtown area. When you get to Madison Avenue, you’ll be turning right. Bainbridge Island is a major day-trip destination for Seattleites who cross the ferry in search of wine tastings, art galleries, and an escape from city life. As you head down Winslow Way, you’ll get a feel for the distinct atmosphere of this getaway city. Notable spots on Winslow Way include the tasting rooms for Eagle Harbor and Eleven Wineries, Neapolitan pizzeria Bruciato, and charcuterie house Cafe Hitchcock. For an upscale evening out, head into Seabird, on the left. This high-end restaurant’s menu changes with the season, featuring the freshest seafood the pacific northwest has to offer in inventive, beautifully-plated dishes. Turning right on Madison, you’ll see the stone steps and gazebo of Winslow Green. The downtown area was known as the City of Winslow until 1991 when the entire island was annexed into a single municipality. Madison Avenue will take you past a small row of restaurants, including the retro Madison Diner, Mediterranean spot SAFFRON, and Mexican restaurant Casa Rojas. Passing the Bainbridge cinemas on the left, you’ll head uphill into the residential neighborhoods of town, where you’ll get a glimpse of daily life in this destination city. Well, folks, this is where I’ll leave you for today! I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Kitsap County in all of its natural splendor. If you’d like to explore the southern half of the peninsula, or head further north into Jefferson County, check out Betsy Tarpley’s UCPlaces profile for more tours of the Puget Sound area. When you’re ready to find your next home here in Kitsap County, remember to call our local expert Betsy and her team - The Strategy Real Estate Group powered by Fathom. You can reach her at btarpley@strategyrealestate.net. You can also give her a call at (360) 649-2062. Thanks so much for joining me on this scenic journey. Have a wonderful day!