A happy afternoon at KVI Beach on our most recent trip to Vashon Island.
Maybe we’ll get a Puget Sound Day Trips series going—with so many destinations reachable from Tacoma, why stop at two? But that’s where we’ll start, with two places we go again and again. I started early with Vashon-Maury—Dad would sail us to the public marina at Dockton on Maury Island when I was a toddler and the swings there were the highlight for me. Family trips to Port Townsend kicked off when I was in elementary school. By high school, friends and I would pack a summer picnic and drive up for the day. Now they’re places Michael and I head to when we need a sense of freedom from work, exploration, and food. They’re places where small, local bakeries, coffee roasters, independent bookstores, and one of a kind shops outnumber chains by far. Places where the beach is always near, where parking is easy, where woods and trails beckon us away from the sidewalks. We’ll share some of the ways we pass the time and how we fill our stomachs (never a problem). Both of these destinations are enjoyable for overnight trips too, but a spontaneous day trip is perfect. Wake up one morning and just decide to go!
Day Trip One: Vashon & Maury Islands
Point Robinson
We almost always get extra pastries to go when we visit Snapdragon. Otherwise it’s just too hard to choose! Sit inside or on the back patio.
A sample Vashon Island day - mix ingredients and adjust times to suit your taste:
Sunshine, ripe blackberries, and mountain views on the trails in the Maury Island Natural Area.
Morning Ferry: Arrive at the Point Defiance-Vashon ferry terminal for a 15 minute, morning ferry ride on the Salish from Point Defiance to Tahlequah and you’re way for the day. It’s a short ride, but you really ought to go up on deck in case the Dall’s porpoises are out!
Coffee: Order Americanos and bring your book for a bit of reading and coffee-shop ambience at the bustling Caffe Vino Olio in the morning. You’ll see good-looking pastries and housemade bagel sandwiches too!
Breakfast: Start the food day right with baked goods at Snapdragon Bakery. You might find croissants (come back in the afternoon if the morning croissants are all in use as scrambled egg sandwiches), our favorite cinnamon rolls, a mixed berry danish, loaded focaccia slices, or rhubarb scones.
A round of tater tots, cribbage, and a beer at Camp Colvos are always part of Vashon menu.
Take a walk: We suggest a loop from the Bluffs Trailhead at the Maury Island Marine Park and Natural Area into the trees and on the bluffs, on dry grass trails flanked by blackberries, and on the beach where pink roses bloom. If you want to eat ripe blackberries all day long, find a trail or beach on Vashon and feast. We’ve walked as far as 4 miles or more, but you can keep the look shorter too. If you’d like an all shady, wooded walk, consider Dockton Woods.
Lighthouse & Beach: Make a visit to Point Robinson, because who doesn’t love to gaze at a lighthouse?
July and August are excellent months for blackberries. The taste and smell of summer!
Tots & Beer: Back to town for tater tots with spicy aioli, cribbage, and beer on the patio at Camp Colvos Brewing. If you’re feeling the sweet tooth coming on, or have kids along, the Island Queen is the place to go.
Pizza: And/or, stop for a slice at Lunetta Pizzeria where there’s happy hour, inside seating, and dog-friendly garden seating. Yes, please.
More Coffee: Need some shade and caffeine? Afternoon iced americanos in a quiet, historic spot like the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie might be the ticket.
Vashon Heritage Museum: It seems to me the more I learn the more interest, curiosity, and connection I feel, whatever the subject. The Vashon Heritage Museum is open in the afternoons (Wed-Sun, 1-4 pm) right in the town of Vashon, so it’s easy to stop in, get out of the sun for a bit, and expand your knowledge of this special place in the Salish Sea.
Pack some books and a blanket, stop at the grocery for cold drinks, reapply the sunscreen, and you’re ready for KVI Beach.
Beach Blanket: But don’t let the whole day get away from you before you make time for a blanket and books at KVI Beach where there is sun and shade, rocks and sand, driftwood and bounding dogs, and the cap of Mount Rainier over the trees.
Tom Yum and mango lettuce wraps with crispy coconut to share at May Kitchen + Bar.
Dinner: Shake off the sand and make your way back into Vashon town for dinner at The Ruby Brink ( food like olive and grapefruit tapenade toast, fermented turnips, and noodle soup with lots of toppings). Or try May Kitchen + Bar (Thai with cocktails in a drape-darkened, candlelit interior). It’s a good idea to have a reservation if you don’t want to wait, or let them know you’re happy to sit at the bar and you might get right in.
Sunset Ferry: Catch a ferry home at sunset through jellyfish filled waters.
Other Stops to Consider:
Keep your eyes open for signs for fresh eggs, u-pick flowers, and roadside farmstands like one on Dockton Rd SW.
Vashon Farmers Market: Saturday, 10 am-3 pm
Catch the ferry from the north end of the island and disembark at Fauntleroy to make you way home through West Seattle for a big loop.
Day Trip two: Port Townsend & Fort Worden
Fort Worden State Park
Pastries you might find at the Port Townsend Farmers Market on a Saturday, or at Pane D’Amore.
A sample Port Townsend-Fort Worden day (in general we like to find a parking spot and get around without the car) - just like with Vashon Island mix up the order, season to taste:
The beach at Fort Worden stretches long with plenty of sand, driftwood, wildflowers, kelp, seals, and sea birds.
Coffee: Only start the day at Velocity if you like nice coffee at the beach with a bit of wooden boats mixed in. I order my coffee “for here” and ask if it’s okay for me to walk it across the courtyard to the beach. They don’t mind. Just bring the cup back. Share a pastry, or wait until you go up the hill to find a bit. Velocity is closed Saturdays, but don’t despair, Better Living Through Coffee is a cozy spot for a brew with a more bohemian/granola character and seal-spotting potential if you get a window seat.
Breakfast/Farmers Market: If it’s Saturday head up the Fountain Steps to Uptown for the farmers market where you can supplement your coffee with pastries, fresh fruit, loaves of bread, live music, and people watching.
If you go into the bunkers be sure to holler, stomp, and sing to really enjoy the acoustics. Don’t get lost (or do, maybe that’s more fun)!
If it’s not Saturday and you’re feeling a big need for breakfast (just watch out because there’s a lot to eat today!) visit Blue Moose Cafe (in the boatyard on the way into town), or Hudson Point Cafe by the marina at the tip of downtown. Check the tide after breakfast. If it’s out, walk to Chetzamoka Park or Ford Worden via the beach. More below!
Chiton, limpet, beach glass, stone, and pottery from the beach at Fort Worden and below Chetzemoka.
Oyster shooters and clams on the balcony at Sirens i a fun choice.
Fort Worden: Give yourself a couple of hours to explore, walk the beach and take some trails. Sometimes we find our way on the public trails from Uptown all the way to the fort (just look for the small sign posts between gardens and businesses). If the tide is low enough we walk from the marina downtown to Fort Worden on the beach hunting for sea glass and shells as we go. Other times we drive the car, park near the restroom (don’t forget to display your Discover Pass), and take the path through the low dunes to the beach. We walk out to Point Wilson, round the lighthouse, find our way up to the top of the battery and over the other side where the beach continues. If you’re up for a good walk, find the trailhead between campsites that leads up to the top of the bluff where you’ll find Memory’s Vault (a contemplative poetry installation), and a loop trail that guides you past lots of bunkers and some view points.
Lunch: Take it in stages if you like. A little here, a little there. Order a drink and a snack (oyster shooters? clams?) on the balcony at Sirens, or a round of friend green beans at the Banana Leaf (where you’ll also see some nice lunch specials), but absolutely save room for Green Crow Tacos (closed on weekends) in Uptown. Every bite we eat there is a joy and there are plenty of veggie options too.
Might as well have more seafood. Happy Hour oysters at Finistère.
Uptown: Stock up on bread and pastries at Pane D’Amore, browse some Uptown shops like the Up Store consignment spot on Lawrence (cash or check only), it’s fun to walk through Aldrich’s Market too. Seal Dog Coffee Bar might be open for a little refreshment, or we advise a seat at the bar at the Uptown Pub & Grill.
Point Hudson Marina is an excellent spot for sailboat gazing.
Happy Hour at Finistere: Sit inside near the bar with big windows, tiled floor, and flowers on the tables, or take a seat on the Finistère patio. There may be a bit of a line, but we find the experience (we’re talking oysters on the half shell and such a delicious cheeseburger!). If you planned ahead and got a dinner reservation, you’re set for a lovely experience and can ignore our other dinner recommendations later.
Wander & Dream About Boats & Houses: Wander the neighborhood, it’s a Victorian house treasure hunt and a wonderful way to get inspiration for house paint colors too. Or wend your way along the docks and fantasize about the places you could sail from these waters.
Take your pick of ornate Victorians. Many a turret. Many a widow’s walk.
Visit Chetzemoka Park: Chetzemoka is an old-fashioned town park and alway sweet to visit. See what’s blooming in the pergola, swing on a swing, relax on a picnic blanket, take the path back down to the beach.
Dinner: Hanazono for especially tasty noodles soups and sushi, Sirens for fish and chips, water views, and Port Townsend ambience, Banana Leaf for Thai food served with friendliness.
Stop for fresh produce, local goods, the cutest chickie logo, and some plants for your garden at Chimacum Corner Farmstand.
Dessert: Elevated Ice Cream will scoop up homemade ice cream for you until 7 pm and there’s a little patio out back where you might like to sit when the weather is nice. We once got a nice serving of tiramisu at Hillbottom Pie on Tyler St in case that’s more your speed.
Other Stops to Consider:
North Beach Park and Glass Beach - njoy a ramble, find some sea glass, but be sure to watch the tides!
The Rose Theatre - See a movie at this historic cinema and be sure to consider The Starlight Room (a screen on the 3rd floor with sofas, water views, a bar, and snacks).
Chimacum Corner Farmstand - We stop for groceries or treats almost every single time we pass and make believe it’s our own local market.
Finnriver Farm & Cidery - Just a short jog from the corner farmstand. Might have to make Chimacum its own day trip! If you’re doing that, the Chimacum Cafe is where you should start. Breakfast with so much floral wallpaper and a good-looking neon sign featuring a rhododendron outside. Can’t miss it.
A moment of appreciation for public restrooms. Port Townsend offers a public restroom amid the shopping and restaurants on Water St downtown and you can use the restrooms at Fort Worden too.
KEEP IN TOUCH ABOUT TACOMA LIFE, COMMUNITY, EVENTS, HOMES, AND A BIT ABOUT US.
