bainbridge
island
47.6249° N, 122.5210° W
The Island of Bainbridge, the 2nd largest city in Kitsap, runs parallel to the mainland of Kitsap County from Port Orchard to Poulsbo where it connects via the Agate Pass Bridge. Since the 1960s, Bainbridge has become an increasingly affluent bedroom community of Seattle given its walkability from downtown Seattle by way of the Washington State Ferry. Bainbridge Island shorelines border the main body of Puget Sound, as well as Port Orchard Bay and two high-current tidal passages - Rich Passage and Agate Pass. Numerous bays and inlets and a significant diversity of other coastal landforms, including spits, bluffs, dunes, and lagoons give way to one unique waterfront adventure after another.
wineries of Bainbridge
A drive past Poulsbo on State Route 305, over the Agate Pass Bridge, begins your self-guided driving tour of all 7 (seven!) wineries located on the island. At Perennial Vinters and Bainbridge Vineyards, two vineyards who only use their own island grown grapes, you’ll find many unique cooler-climate varieties. You’ll fall in love with Seigerrebe, Madeleine Angevine and THE Melon de Bourgogne, a dry white wine (whose bright fresh flavors are a heavenly match with seafood - especially oysters) can only be found in the state of Washington at Perennial Vinters.
7 wineries on an island 65 square miles. Sounds like a good time, right?
Perennial Vintners - Bainbridge Vineyards - Eagle Harbor - Eleven - Fletcher Bay - Rolling Bay
streamliner diner
Small, cozy, and always worth the wait for a table - the Streamliner has an open kitchen so you can watch your Benedict or omelet prepared before your very eyes!
BA | SA
101 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island
The story of BA SA is a beautiful memoir of one family's resilience, coming to the pacific northwest from a refugee camp in Vietnam and working hard to build a dream life on the Kitsap Peninsula. Trinh + Thai, co-owners/co-chefs of Ba Sa, weave their family's legacy into each of their picturesque and mouthwatering dishes.
the Hitchcock group
Chef Brendan McGill, owner of Hitchcock, opened his first restaurant on Bainbridge Island in 2010. Now, his restaurants total 5 (2 in Seattle) with 3 on Bainbridge Island - Cafe Hitchcock, Seabird + Bruciato. Sourcing from local farmers, as well as operating his own farm, his farm-to-table stats are impressive. However, nothing can really prepare you for that first bite. All the words that will come to mind - yum, delicious, amazing, wow, etc - cannot fully describe the wonderful taste of a Hitchcock experience.
backstreet beat
265 Winslow Way E #102, Bainbridge Island
On the main drag of downtown Bainbridge Island, tucked down the alley (and up the stairs) off Winslow Ave you'll find Backstreet Beat. A vintage book and record gold mine hiding almost in plain sight. First-time shoppers always remark how wonderful the atmosphere is and how well organized it is. Plus, scoring a $1 vinyl record is a likely reward for those who wander in. Backstreet Beat is a real treasure for book lovers and vinyl lovers alike, worthy of a drive across the bridge or a hop across the water on the Seattle Bainbridge ferry (BB is located within walking distance of the ferry terminal).
proper fish
112 Madison Ave North, Bainbridge Island
Proper Fish is a seafood experience of epic proportions! Located in downtown Bainbridge on the corner of Madison Ave + Winslow Way... almost hidden in plain sight, this little seafood spot is maybe the most sought after fish 'n chips in Kitsap! A massive piece of perfectly crispy fish sits atop a bed of fries and is garnished with a dollop of minted mashed peas, this unlikely combo sets the bar for fried fish!
waterfront
Winslow way
The opposite end of the island is just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. The amazing sight of “extra” ferries at the WSF Maintainance Facility + Machine Shop greet you as you pull into the dock at Winslow Way. Winslow is the shopping mecca of the island with plenty of restaurants, bars, and wineries to give you a reprieve from your shopping adventures. For outdoor enthusiasts there is the Waterfront Park, for art lovers - the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and water lovers can tour the harbor with Sail Bainbridge. For the history buff, look directly across Eagle Harbor (and just a short driving distance around the harbor) is the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, a tribute to the first Japanese-American internment camp prisoners who were living on Bainbridge Island during World War 2 - it doesn’t matter what adventure you’re looking for, Bainbridge Island delivers!
explore
Lynwood Center
Pleasant Beach Village sits on a hill overlooking the historic Lynwood Theater and Puget Sound’s Rich Passage on the south end of Bainbridge Island. The charming Inn at Pleasant Beach is well-known to its guests for the most comfortable night’s sleep ever, featuring beautifully furnished suites with cozy sitting areas and balconies. This luxurious boutique hotel is the perfect prescription for a destination getaway or local staycation.
Lynwood Center eateries include: Joe’s Restaurant • Earth & Vine • Hammy’s Burgers • Island Cool • The Marketplace • The Bottle Shop • Miqulitos • Treehouse Cafe • Sawan Thai
grand forest
7 miles of easy walking trails. This is a perfect spot to bring the little kids, walk the dog and enjoy the dense fir and cedar coverage.
fay Bainbridge
A beautiful view and a romantic spot for a stroll or a picnic any time of the year, Fay Bainbridge Park is strewn with sun-bleached driftwood logs and blessed with unbroken views of Rainier.
halls hill labyrinth
A place of reflection and solace.
Halls Hill Lookout and Labyrinth is a meditative space overlooking Blakely Harbor, meant as a contemplative wayside for Bainbridge Island residents and visitors who live, walk and bike nearby.
The suggested path to the labyrinth has 3 stages:
1) The inward journey where we let go of things (worry and concern) that hinder our relationship with God.
2) The center is where we practice meditative prayer and receive clarity, insight, and focus.
3) The outward journey returning back to the outside world with what we’ve received to become more grounded to self and others.
chilly hilly
Chilly Hilly is a long-standing (50 years!) 33-mile bicycle ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island via the Washington State Ferry. Bicycling Magazine called this "one of four classic rides" in the nation. Interested in participating? Look for Cascade Bicycle Club to open registration sometime in January.
Kitsap is a wonderful place to cycle any time of the year (and riding your bike on the ferry is a very cool way to travel!) and there are more any enough stops to fill a weekend or two. After you earn your Chilly Hilly badge, plan to hang around downtown to explore all of the shops, eateries, and museums.
Photo by @im.jjkim
blakely harbor
Former site of one of the world’s largest sawmills in the 1800s, now a 40 acre park developed for passive recreational use such as picnicking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. A 1 mile trail winds around the harbor inside the 40-acre Blakely Harbor Park and a system of multiple loop trails accessible off Old Mill Road.
battle point park
90 acres in total, Battle Point Park was a former naval radio station, this park will keep your whole family busy indefinitely. Jogging trails, sports fields, tennis courts, roller hockey, a large ferry-themed playground, disc golf, and so much more - it’s also the site of the Bainbridge Island Metro outdoor concert series Summer Sounds + Movies in the Park.
Bainbridge BRANDS, BUSINESSES + ENTREPRENEURS
Learn more about the local businesses you love.
Get to know the unique people who create the adventurous environment that Kitsap is known for in our BB+E article series. Let their origin stories inspire you to go after your own dreams. Take notes on where our business owners love to eat and drink and the epic places around the Kitsap Penisula they frequent.
local gift guide
GIFT IDEAS FOR SHOPPING LOCAL ON Bainbridge Island!
bon bon candies • calico toy shoppe • conservatory coastal home • Danas showhouse • eagle harbor books • hidden gem • island life • madrone goods • millstream • plum • salt house merc • sweet deal clothing • wildernest • willowtree market • zutto vintage
EXPLORE more kitsap!
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Port Orchard
SOUTH KITSAP
Port Orchard is a quiet cluster of waterfront and inland neighborhoods with a keen sense of community.
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Poulsbo
NORTH KITSAP
Poulsbo is a charming city on Liberty Bay with a picturesque downtown core featuring a ‘Little Norway’ vibe.
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Bainbridge Island
NORTH KITSAP
The Island of Bainbridge, has become an increasingly affluent bedroom community of Seattle given its walkability from downtown Seattle.
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Kingston
NORTH KITSAP
Though Kingston is quiet and quaint, it plays an important role in anchoring the North Kitsap end. Several ferries service auto and walk-on passengers seeking passage to Edmonds.
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Port Gamble
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The Kitsap Peninsula is full of incredible brands, businesses, and entrepreneurs - like Brittany Kelley, owner of Brittany Kelley Photo - who make all of our small businesses look really good!