SOUTH TACOMA & THE SOUTH END

South Tacoma's an expansive place, a walkable stretch of tucked-away shopping gems that also serves as a heart of transportation for the city. Factories and other industrial buildings greet you as you enter South Tacoma, but those soon give way to old-time bars, down-to-earth restaurants, and a wide array of shops and markets. Antique stores, cultural centers, and services for small businesses are some of the lifeblood providing the makeup of South Tacoma.

There's a healthy Asian population in South Tacoma, with Koreans accounting for a number of the residents. Asian markets and restaurants provide a world of flavor to the area, while Korean bars and karaoke wake up the nightlife.

Bob's Java Jive, the famed coffee pot-shaped dive bar, stands as a testament to South Tacoma's old-fashioned character. It's here, and elsewhere in the neighborhood, that you'll find no-frills pub fare and lively music nights. Down the way, Real Art Tacoma presents concerts for the all-ages crowd, and Stonegate Pizza features music every night of the week for the more mature set.

Modest houses and apartments mostly make up the residential side of South Tacoma, with a number of nearby schools ensuring that these homes are largely scooped up by families.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Birney Elementary School
Fern Hill Elementary School Larchmont Elementary School
Stafford Elementary School
Baker Middle School
Mount Tahoma High School

CENSUS DATA

Population: Roughly 40,091
Diversity: 56.88% White, 11.40% Black, 12.83% Asian

Median Income: $22,377
Median House Value: $164,264

RESOURCES

South End Neighborhood Council
Meetings: 7 PM at theTacoma Fire Station 8 on the Third Monday of every month (4911 South Alaska Street
Tacoma, WA 98408)

City Council Representative
Chris Beale Position 5 chris.beale@cityoftacoma.org

SELECT DINING/BARS

Stonegate Pizza
Bob's Java Jive
Ah Bada Bing Pizza
Three Sisters Tacoma Szechuan
Gangnam Korean BBQ
Marcia's Silver Spoon
Vien Dong
Tortas Locas
The Mule Tavern
The Airport Tavern
Vien Dong (Vietnamese)
Dragon's Crawfish
Flying Boots (Bar)
Pho Dragon
Jubilee Burger
Gari of Sushi

SELECT SERVICES

Olympus Women's Health Club
Pierce Transit South Station
Habitat for Humanity
Boys and Girls Club
Bowlero Lanes
Boohan Market
Thunderdome Tacoma
Tacoma Tool Library
Lincoln Hardware

POINTS OF INTEREST

South Park
Wapato Park
Mountain View Cemetery
Meadow Park Golf Course
Regal Cinemas Lakewood
Tacoma Mall
The B & I
Starlite Swap Meet
Real Art Tacoma

TAKE A LOOK

Wapato Park (Copy) (Copy)

Wapato opened to the public in June 1889. At that time, crowds would ride the railway from Tacoma and Fern Hill to swim, picnic, and stroll the shady walkways.

Wapoto's Historic Pergola (Copy) (Copy)

This pergola has graced the entrance to Wapato since 1938. In the spring and summer, find flowering baskets, and large beds of glorious annuals blooming.

Off-Leash! (Copy) (Copy)

Wapato's Off-Leash Dog Park is almost never empty. Bring your pup for a good old off-leash romp!

Lincoln District Mural (Copy) (Copy)

Bob Henry's leaping salmon mural on the corner of S. 38th St and S. Yakima Ave.

Re-Love Lincoln (Copy) (Copy)

Banners through the district feature themes of the revitalization project of 2017.

Vien Dong (Copy) (Copy)

Located in the Lincoln District This family-owned Vietnamese restaurant is a local favorite. Friendly, consistent, and inexpensive!

Lincoln Hardware (Copy) (Copy)

Stop by and shop. They've been in business for over 83 years!

Lincoln Hardware (Copy) (Copy)

We love this place. Old school, locally owned, friendly hardware store.

Lincoln High School's Drost Auditorium (Copy) (Copy)

This section is part of the original building (construction began in 1913, renovation in 2007).

Farmstand (Copy) (Copy)

During the summer the ABE's Acres club shares their produce right where it's grown at S. 36th and G.

ABE's Acres (Copy) (Copy)

A glimpse into garden. Don't miss the annual Lincoln Plant Sale in the spring!

The Lincoln Bowl (Copy) (Copy)

The bowl first opened in 1940. Go ABES!

Lincoln Park (Copy) (Copy)

Features include a playground, walking paths, and beautiful mature trees.

South End Sidewalk (Copy) (Copy)

An overflowing Lincoln District garden.

Fern Hill Mural (Copy) (Copy)

Bright and bold mural in the Fern Hill district. S. 84th Street & S. Park Avenue. Lead artist: Kelda Martensen with team: Dionne Bonner, Brad Pugh. Completed in 2010.

Fern Hill Mural Detail (Copy) (Copy)

The Fern Hill mural extends across the side of the building housing Foam & Fabric.

Old Timey Mural (Copy) (Copy)

Another wonderful Fern Hill District mural found on Park Avenue between S. 82nd and 84th.

Fern Hill Barber (Copy) (Copy)

The Fern Hill District is so small, but packed with good storefronts like this classic barber shop.