Bainbridge Island was officially established as a settlement in the mid-1800s. European settlers began arriving in the area around the 1850s, starting with pioneers attracted by the region’s fertile soil and abundant timber. The island’s economy grew around these industries, with logging becoming a key driver. The island was first recognized by the U.S. government when it was included in the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott, which established boundaries and rights for local Indigenous tribes, including the Suquamish. However, it wasn’t until the late 19th century that the island began to develop more significantly. In 1888, the first ferry service connecting Bainbridge Island to Seattle was established, making it easier for people to move to the island and contributing to its growth as a residential and agricultural community. While Bainbridge Island’s history stretches back thousands of years with Indigenous habitation, it was during the 19th century that it began to take shape as the community we know today.
Life on Bainbridge Island is a blend of small-town charm, natural beauty, and easy access to Seattle. Think East Coast but on the West Coast, our Hallmark town has a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere with stunning waterfront views, lush forests, and plenty of outdoor activities. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life while still having access to excellent schools, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and a thriving arts scene. The ferry ride to Seattle is about 35 min, making it a popular spot for commuters who want a peaceful retreat from the city's hustle.
Bainbridge Island is a close-knit, welcoming community that offers a unique blend of tranquility and engagement. It attracts a diverse mix of families, young professionals, retirees, and creatives, all drawn to the island’s natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The community is active, with plenty of local events, volunteer opportunities, and organizations dedicated to sustainability and preserving the island's charm.
Residents are passionate about supporting local businesses, from farm-to-table dining to eco-friendly initiatives, and the island has a vibrant arts scene with galleries, music, and performances. Whether you're out enjoying the outdoors, attending a community gathering, or just chatting with neighbors, you’ll find that the sense of connection and camaraderie here is strong. Bainbridge Island offers the perfect balance of peaceful living and an engaged, vibrant community.
Welcome to Bainbridge Island: Your ultimate real estate and local guide. This guide offers a snapshot of the unique blend of natural beauty, culture, and community that makes Bainbridge Island a top choice for those looking to settle in the Pacific Northwest.
Agate Point, located on the northern tip of Bainbridge Island’s eastern side, offers a peaceful, nature-filled lifestyle. It’s home to the stunning Bloedel Reserve, a private garden estate perfect for walks, events, and simply enjoying the outdoors.
Homes here sit on larger, wooded lots with many offering beautiful water views, whether looking north to the Cascades or east over Puget Sound. If you’re along Agate Passage, you’ll get incredible views of the Agate Pass Bridge and watch boats cruise by—perfect for marine traffic lovers.
At the northwest tip of Bainbridge Island lies the Seabold Area, known for its stunning waterfront properties and beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains. Whether you're looking for a cozy cottage or a luxurious multi-million dollar waterfront estate, Seabold offers a variety of homes to suit different tastes and budgets. Even properties that aren’t directly on the water enjoy larger, pastoral lots, creating a peaceful, spacious atmosphere. It’s a place where you can experience the perfect balance of island charm and breathtaking natural beauty.
Port Madison is a charming neighborhood on the northeast end of Bainbridge Island, often compared to a picturesque New England port town. The area encompasses homes around Port Madison Bay, including Hidden Cove Road and Point Monroe, many of which are waterfront or offer stunning views. The heart of Port Madison features about 1,000 feet of private waterfront and a dock, while the public Hidden Cove Dock provides water access to those outside the core neighborhood. With its walkable streets like Washington and Euclid, Port Madison fosters a friendly, connected community. The neighborhood also includes the newer, master-planned Hidden Cove Estates, offering even more options for those seeking a serene island lifestyle.
The Manzanita Bay Area is located on the west side of Bainbridge Island, just north of Battle Point. Known for its desirable waterfront properties, many homes here offer west-facing views and sandy beaches. The bay itself is a fantastic, usable body of water, perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding. There are a few public access points for enjoying the water. For those not directly on the water, homes in the area tend to sit on larger lots, often one acre or more, offering plenty of space and privacy.
The Meadowmeer Neighborhood is centrally located on Bainbridge Island, built around the Meadowmeer Golf Course, a 9-hole public course. Many homes here enjoy views of the course, though not all are on it. The area, situated on Koura Road, gets great all-day sunlight.
The Bainbridge Athletic Club, with its tennis courts, outdoor pool, and family-friendly vibe, is a major perk. Homes range from the 1970s to 1990s, and the neighborhood is connected to the Grand Forest trail system for easy hiking. With quick access to Highway 305 and Miller Road, getting into town is convenient. This area also includes Derby Downs, Bainbridge’s Equestrian Area, adding to the outdoor lifestyle.
On the northwest side of Bainbridge Island, homes in this area sit on larger lots, typically ranging from half an acre to over an acre. Many properties are wooded, while others feature beautiful, sunny pastoral spaces. Some homes are waterfront or offer stunning western views of the water and Olympic Mountains. A big perk of this area is its proximity to Battle Point Park, along with access to a fantastic trail system within the Grand Forest for outdoor enthusiasts.
Rolling Bay, located at the north end of Bainbridge Island, offers a central feel with easy access to the ferry and Winslow. The neighborhood has a pastoral charm, with plenty of barns and some homes offering water views to the east. The Rolling Bay Center, home to the popular Bay Hay and Feed store, serves as a community hub. Homes here sit on half-acre to one-acre lots, with larger 5 to 10-acre parcels also available. The neighborhood has a strong sense of community, with shared grassy open spaces, and remains conveniently close to Highway 305
The Island Center and Fletcher Bay areas include homes along New Brooklyn Road, Fletcher Bay Road, and the western portion of High School Road. Fletcher Bay features larger multi-acre lots, with many waterfront homes on Hansen Road offering stunning western views of the water and Olympic Mountains. Homes on New Brooklyn Road are often set on spacious 5 to 10-acre parcels, providing plenty of privacy and room to enjoy the surrounding beauty.
The Ferncliff Area includes homes located further out on Ferncliff Avenue, extending across Highway 305 to include Grand Avenue, which intersects Ferncliff as you head north. Many homes here sit on larger lots with septic systems. Some offer eastern-facing views of the Seattle skyline and Space Needle, while others are waterfront, mostly higher-bank properties. This area is also home to Woodland Village, also known as Garibaldi Loop—a charming Craftsman-style neighborhood of 27 newer homes within walking distance to shops and the ferry.
On the west side of Highway 305, the Murden Cove and Manitou Beach area features homes that cluster around Murden Cove. Properties overlooking the cove offer stunning water views, as well as a glimpse of Downtown Seattle. Many homes share beach access on Manitou Beach, with a public access point that includes parking. The area is known for its mix of mid-century modern homes, beach cottages, and newer, larger homes along streets like Edgecombe Lane. It's a fantastic spot for walking and offers easy access to the Rolling Bay Center, Highway 305, and Winslow.
The Yeomalt Point Neighborhood, located on the northern edge of Wing Point, is often grouped with Wing Point. This area features waterfront and view homes on the east side of the island, with many properties sharing private beach access if they're not directly on the water. The neighborhood includes Grand Avenue and Broomgerrie Road, both offering homes with stunning views of Seattle.
Wing Point is one of Bainbridge Island’s most sought-after neighborhoods, thanks to its prime location near the ferry and Winslow, as well as the wide variety of homes it offers. Many properties are located near the private Wing Point Country Club, ranging from grand estates to more modest homes. Some homes boast views of Eagle Harbor, while others sit directly on the water in the historic sections of Wing Point. Homes in this desirable neighborhood don’t tend to stay on the market for long.
Homes in the core Winslow area are always in high demand due to their close proximity to the ferry and the shops, dining, and amenities in Winslow. Winslow is the downtown area of Bainbridge Island, which makes this location particularly attractive to both families and empty nesters, often driving up home prices per square foot. Winslow offers a mix of homes, condos, and apartments, typically situated on smaller lots. Popular streets in this vibrant area include Village Circle, Cosgrove Street, Eakin Drive, Lovell Avenue, Grow Avenue, Commodore Lane, and North Town Drive.
Crystal Springs/Point White is a beloved area on the south end of Bainbridge Island. The neighborhood primarily consists of homes along Crystal Springs Drive, Point White Drive, and their surrounding easement roads. Many homes here are either waterfront or offer stunning views. While some properties have the road between the home and the water, this can be seen as a benefit—it reduces waterfront pricing and provides a protective bulkhead. Locals often walk the waterfront roads, and nearby destinations like Point White Pier and Lynwood Center serve as popular gathering spots.
The Lynwood Center Area consists of homes surrounding the Lynwood Center and Pleasant Beach Village, a vibrant hub on the south end of Bainbridge Island. Homes in this area are typically located along Lynwood Center Road or Baker Hill Road, with lots ranging from half an acre to one acre. While some homes offer views, many do not. The area also extends into Pleasant Beach Drive, which is home to some of Bainbridge's most stunning low-bank waterfront properties, often on expansive estate-sized lots, known as the island’s "Gold Coast." Highlights of the area include its sunny south end location, proximity to Lynwood Center, Fort Ward Park, Lytle Beach access, and being within the Blakely Elementary school zone.
The Eagle Harbor Neighborhood is a picturesque, pastoral area on the south end of Bainbridge Island. Homes along Eagle Harbor Drive offer beautiful harbor views or are waterfront properties, while much of the area is made up of historic farmland, with many original farmhouses still standing. Popular streets in the neighborhood include New Sweden Drive, Taylor Avenue, Eagle Harbor Drive, and McDonald Avenue, all offering a charming, rural atmosphere with easy access to the water.
Bill Point is one of Bainbridge Island’s few view neighborhoods, with homes protected by view covenants on the title. Most properties here were built in the 1970s and 1980s, often featuring a mid-century modern style. Many homes offer stunning views of Downtown Seattle and Eagle Harbor. A unique feature of Bill Point is its outdoor neighborhood pool, the only one on the island. While it’s located on the south end and a bit farther from Winslow and the ferry, the neighborhood offers a peaceful and scenic setting.
Rockaway Beach Road is one of Bainbridge Island's most iconic streets, known for its low-bank waterfront homes. While the lots are smaller, the views of Seattle and the Space Needle are truly spectacular. Public beach access is available at the nearby Rockaway Beach Park.
Just above Rockaway Beach Road and Blakely Harbor is the Port Blakely area, primarily made up of the Blakely Hill Neighborhood. This high-quality development features homes on larger, acre-plus lots, many built in the early 2000s. The neighborhood is prized for its sunny outlook, walking trails, and proximity to Fort Ward Park, as well as water access at Blakely Harbor.
The historic Fort Ward Neighborhood is one of the largest on Bainbridge Island, offering a wide range of homes to suit various budgets. From small .12-acre lots to expansive 10-acre estates and waterfront properties, there's something for everyone. Fort Ward is perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts, with great sun, open spaces, and direct access to Fort Ward Park. The neighborhood also connects to Pleasant Beach Drive, home to some of the island’s most stunning low-bank waterfront estates, often referred to as the Gold Coast of Bainbridge.
The South Beach Neighborhood is known for having some of the best sun on the island, making it an ideal spot for beautiful waterfront homes. Many properties here feature low to mid-bank waterfront with lovely southern and western exposure. With charming streets like South Beach Drive and Toe Jam Hill Road, it’s a perfect area for walking. The neighborhood also includes Country Club Road, which runs along Blakely Harbor and the private, exclusive Country Club of Seattle.
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