Bainbridge Island


Photos by Brian Wilson © 2010 & 2011

Here is a link to our current monthly report for home sales, prices and trends on Bainbridge Island.

Graph of Bainbridge Island Real Estate Data March 2013

Bainbridge Island Real Estate Data

Bainbridge Island is just a 35 minute ferry ride from Seattle, conveniently placed between the more than 3 million people, who call the Seattle metropolitan area home and the western expanses of Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula. It’s an attractive destination for people‚ whether you are a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorist, you can seek a brief escape from the urban environment. It’s also perfectly located for those who know the island primarily as a gateway to the west, But for those who have discovered that the island is more than just a home for some 23,000 people, its charm can become so magnetic that visitors decided to make the island their permanent home.

Bainbridge Island’s downtown district is often characterized as “quaint and sometimes funky” because of its one-story, unpretentious stores lining Winslow Way and Madison Avenue.  Most people who live on the Island are there by intention and not by chance.  For islanders, the often longer commute to work, (by Ferry for many), shopping and other necessities is far outweighed by the having some of the state’s best schools, a savvy highly educated population actively involved at City Hall, the vibrant arts scene and beautiful communities in which to live. Main street is nothing less than the island’s living room, hosting the Grand Old Fourth celebration downtown, evening summer dances and outdoor movie showings.   True, but “stable” is perhaps a more accurate adjective when describing the island’s primary retail and service area.  Many of the approximately 20 downtown merchants & service providers have been doing business in the downtown and marina districts for more than 20 years.

Living and raising a family on Bainbridge Island may not come cheap, the median price for a single-family dwelling on Bainbridge Island is significantly higher than most other communities in Kitsap County.

Bainbridge Farmers’ Market offers a lively experience featuring locally grown produce, artisan crafts and live music from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through October.

One of America’s most highly acclaimed gardens, on the northern tip of the Island, the Bloedel Preserve, is a favorite getaway for Bainbridge Island locals and a major tourist attraction.  The 150-acre Bloedel Preserve is a high quality environment in which visitors can contemplate nature while walking back through time.  Named one of the top five gardens in the world by Gardens Illustrated, a publication of the British Broadcasting Service and the Garden Museum of London, in 2009 Bloedel was also listed in the book “Great Gardens of America” as one of 25 gardens that embrace “the wilderness ideal.”. You can find more information here.

Bainbridge Island’s primary attraction continues to be its wealth of public lands, with a proportionally large area of park and dedicated open space.  For general information about Bainbridge Parks, visit the Park & Recreation district website

Fort Ward State Park
At the island’s south end, Fort Ward State Park is a 137-acre outpost on the south end of the Island. Boat launch, walking trails, picnic areas and a campsite for kayakers. Enjoy 4,300 feet of waterfront along Rich Passage.

 Fay Bainbridge State Park
Located on the northeast part of the island, the 16.8 acre waterfront park enjoys views of Puget Sound and access to a sandy beach covered with driftwood. It also has the only overnight camping facilities on the island, with 26 water-only hookup sites and 10 primitive spaces for tents. Call 206-842-3931 for information and reservations.

Battle Point Park
Located off Arrow Point, the 90-acre park is the island’s most diverse and popular public space. It includes two ponds, picnic areas and a shelter, jogging/walking trail, fitness course, soccer and softball fields, two tennis courts, a roller hockey court, a sand volleyball court, two basketball courts and community gardens.

Grand Forest
Located between Hwy 305 stretching to Battle Point, the Grand Forest, a 240-acre park in several parts, is mid-island greenway/wildlife corridor. Enjoy walking through the 75-year-old evergreen forest, wetlands and wildlife habitat that are popular with hikers, bikers and equestrians.

 Waterfront Park
In Winslow visit the Waterfront Park by the Ferry landing. The connecting Waterfront Trail begins at the ferry and runs west along the water before turning up into the heart of Winslow. The 8.1-acre park features a covered picnic building, tennis courts, a lower picnic area, bandstand and boat launch.

Manzanita Park
Manzanita Park off Day Road West, offers 120 acres of woods with horse and pedestrian trails. Its 2.27-mile nature trail is best enjoyed in late summer and early fall. Covered picnic shelter and a controlled group camping area.

Wineries have proliferated on Bainbridge Island, it starting in 1976 with the opening of the award-winning Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery, and has now grown to several small, artisan wineries that sell their products on the island.

Here are some links to their websites:
www.bainbridgevineyards.com
www.perennialvintners.com
www.elevenwinery.com
www.victoralexanderwinery.com
www.rollingbaywinery.com
www.fletcherbaywinery.com

There are many regularly scheduled events on the island, following is a list with many of them by season when applicable:

 Summer

Date

Event

Location

June 22-26 29th annual student performance Bainbridge Dance Center
June 25 Merchant Silent Auction/ Rummage Sale Bainbridge Island Rotary
July 3 Downtown Street Dance & BBQ Downtown Bainbridge Island
July 4 Grand Olde Fourth Parade Celebration Bainbridge Island
July 9 – 11 Bainbridge in Bloom Garden Tour Bainbridge Island
July 16 – 31 “Cabaret” Ovation! Musical Theatre Bainbridge High School
July 17-18 Bite of Bainbridge Downtown Bainbridge Island
July 17 – Aug 18 Wednesday Evening Concerts Waterfront Park
July 18 Families on the EDGE! Bainbridge Performing Arts
July 24 Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival/ Family Fun Fair Battle Point Park
July 28 – Aug 1 “West Side Story” Bainbridge Performing Arts
Aug 7, 14, 21 & 28 Free Outdoor Movies Waterfront Park
Aug 13 – 15 Summer Studio Tour on Bainbridge Bainbridge Island
Aug 14 Farmstock Manzanita Children’s Gardens
Aug 15 Bike for Pie Squeaky Wheels
Aug 19 Chamber of Commerce Golf Scramble Wing Point Golf &Country Club

 Fall

September Annual Zucchini Race Bainbridge Island Farmers Market
September Auction for the Arts Bainbridge Performing Arts
September Harvest Fair Johnson Farm
Oct 23 Pumpkin Walk Bainbridge Gardens
Oct. 31 Trick or Treat Downtown Winslow
Nov. 27 Holiday Open House, Holiday Passport and Tree Lighting Downtown Bainbridge Island

 Winter

Dec. 3-5 Christmas in the Country Bainbridge Island
Dec. 3-5 Winter Studio Tour Bainbridge Island
Feb. 27 Chilly Hilly Bike Ride Bainbridge Island

 Year Around:

First Saturday of every month Live comedy at BPA The EDGE Improv
First Friday of the month, 6-8 p.m Gallery Walk Downtown Winslow
Every second and fourth Sunday at 2 p.m. Farm Tours at Day Road farms Bainbridge Island
Saturdays through Oct. 30 Bainbridge Farmers Market Bainbridge Town Square

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