UNIVERSITY PLACE
University Place is a well-loved community on the shores of the Salish Sea just south of the Tacoma Narrows, north of Steilacoom, and west of Fircrest. Known for views across the sound to Fox and McNeil Islands and especially for Olympic Mountains sunset vistas. Roads wind and curve through UP forming neighborhoods shaded by tall evergreens. Follow 27th St West to the shore, cross a short bridge and find yourself on Day Island, a peninsula just barely attached to the mainland, and one of UP’s most unique neighborhoods. What else is unique about University Place? Did you know there’s an apple orchard park here and you can adopt a tree?
Chambers Bay: University Place is home to Chambers Bay Golf Course, one of the top public courses in the country and host of the 2015 Men’s US Open. The public course is accompanied by Chambers Creek Regional Park with over 2 miles of waterfront and several miles of paved trails, including a 3.25 mile loop trail with views across the course to the Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Find kite-flyers and plenty of room for picnics down on the meadow, and get wiggles out at the playground up at the top of the hill. If you have your heart set on a meal with a view, The patio at The Grill at Chambers Bay is one more spot to survey expansive views of the waterways and peaks, and you might just get a spectacular sunset if the time is right.
Groceries, Shops & Cafes: The majority of University Place commerce is built along Bridgeport Way. Trader Joe’s and Safeway are practically neighbors within a shopping center that also includes a Mud Bay, Home Goods, and some spots to eat. Whole Foods is just half a mile away on the main drag. Incidentally, you'll also see Bliss Creamery right there between the library and Whole Foods, but we're not sure if you really want to know how good that ice cream is! (It’s a locally-owned family business, so we actually do want you to know how good the ice cream is.) In our opinion, the most important grocery market to know about is our locally-owned Harbor Greens. Also located on Bridgeport Way, it's a wonderful source for fresh produce, wine, take-and-bake-pizza, and nursery items like flowering baskets. The Pine Cone—a UP original, serving the community for decades and recently renovated—is worth a visit too.
Community and Schools: What about universities? Actually, there isn’t one! The name came about in the 19th century when the University of Puget Sound planned to open a second university here, which never happened. Still, UP residents are particularly fond of the UP School District and Curtis High. For those outside of school age who still love to learn, the University Place Library, built in 2011, is a valuable resource. If you’re going to call this neighborhood home, make sure to get your Pierce County Library card.
Market Square offers a shady spot to eat ice cream cones from Bliss just outside the library and city hall building.
Jordan Spieth won the 2015 US Open at the picturesque Chambers Bay Golf Club. A 2 mile, public walking path takes visitors down to the water and through the course.
Curran Apple Orchard Park is over 7 acres with more than 200 trees growing at least 15 varieties of apples! Adopt a tree, join in for open-pick days, or enjoy summer concerts.
Harbor Greens Market is locally owned and operated with one shop in University Place and one in Gig Harbor.
HOUSING
Though upscale view homes on the slopes over the sound do populate University Place neighborhoods, it is also made up of more modest, single-family homes on wooded streets, as well as apartments and other multi-family dwellings. Housing prices are comparable to North Tacoma and Fircrest.
