Neighborhoods in Gig Harbor - Downtown Gig Harbor

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By Michelle Charlton

Live like a vacationer in downtown Gig Harbor, Washington. You’re within a heartbeat of the waterfront, trendy restaurants and boutiques, coffee shops, and breweries, yet still just minutes from Highway 16, Costco, Target, and grocery stores. If you’re the type of person who loves small-town, high-spirited community happenings, Gig Harbor may be a great match. There are dozens of events downtown throughout the year to keep you busy, including a farmers market and concerts at Skansie Park during the summer, the Maritime Gig Festival, Art Walk, and the magical tree lighting festival in December. 

For the very best “Hello, I love you” view, I highly recommend taking the Wollochet exit off of Highway 16 and heading east on Pioneer Way. As you approach the waterfront, the most beautiful vista will open up of the small harbor that is shared by commercial fishermen, recreational yachters, kayakers, and paddleboarders. If you’re a walker, join other locals and their dogs along the scenic two-mile waterfront walk from Crescent Creek Park to the old ferry landing at the south end of Harborview Drive. Launch your kayaks and paddleboards from multiple downtown locations, and be sure to stop at the Finholm View Climb, which is 100 steps up from Harborview Drive and features the most stunning views of the harbor and Mount Rainier on clear days. 

The boundaries of downtown living are considered to be east of Highway 16 extending from where Soundview Drive meets Hunt Street, all the way up to Vernhardson Street near Crescent Creek Park at the north end of the harbor. The typical houses you’ll find in downtown include waterfront homes, condominiums, small residential neighborhoods, and historic fisherman’s houses mixed with newer homes on smaller lots. Many have water views, and as you’d expect, homes in the downtown area don’t stay long on the market. In the last year, there were under 30 single-family homes sold, ranging from $616,000 for a 1,200 square-foot home to a 4,800 square-foot waterfront home that sold for $3.45 million. There were just five condominium sales that ranged in price from $470,000 to $1.3 million. 

Michelle's Downtown Favorites

Best Comfort Food

Brimstone PNW Smokehouse • 7707 Pioneer Way

Their Brimstone Nachos have pulled pork, shredded yardbird, brisket, cheddar cheese, sour cream, guac, olives, radishes, pickled red onions, jalapeños, beans, barbecue sauces, and cilantro lime sauce. I die, every single time. 

Best Appetizer

Morso Bistro • 9014 Peacock Hill Avenue

Wild salmon cakes with tarragon remoulade and an herb and radish salad.

Best Breakfast

Devoted Kiss Café • 8809 North Harborview Drive

Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, Boar’s Head ham, or pulled pork and salsa. You know when you’ve found a good eggs benny. This is one of them. 

Best Date Night Dinner

Brix 25° • 3315 Harborview Drive

A casual fine-dining restaurant on the waterfront, specializing in seasonal Pacific Northwest cuisine and wine pairings. I’m feeling inspired. 

Best Clothing Boutique 

HARBORNEST • 3311 Harborview Drive

And the best giftables, best housewares, and best overall style. Think of a sophisticated Anthropologie vibe. The owners have impeccable style–prepare to fall in love.

Best 21+ Establishment

7 Seas Brewing • 2905 Harborview Drive

Their new waterfront taproom is ah-may-zing. Not only is it a local establishment, but the way their architect designed the building to be a perfect picture frame of Gig Harbor, Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier towering in the distance… It’s incredible, and definitely one for the ‘gram. 

What's Nearby

*Not an exhaustive list. Distances are an approximation.

Schools in the Peninsula School District

Boundaries for the North End of the Harbor

Boundaries for the South End of the Harbor

Other Schools

Private Preschools

Private Schools

Grocery Stores & Other Amenities

Off of Borgen Boulevard - 2.5 miles

  • Albertsons, Costco, Home Depot, Target, Walgreens

Off of Point Fosdick Drive & Olympic Drive - 3.5 miles

  • Fred Meyer, Harbor Greens, Metropolitan Market, Safeway

  • Ace Hardware, Rite Aid

  • Kohl’s, Home Goods, Marshalls, Michaels

  • Chico’s, J. Jill, Loft, Talbots, other clothing boutiques

Downtown Restaurants

Medical Facilities

Off of Kimball Drive - 2 miles

  • Franciscan Medical Clinic

Off of Canterwood Boulevard - 2.5 miles

  • St. Anthony Hospital & Emergency Room

Off of Point Fosdick Drive - 3.5 miles

  • Franciscan Prompt Care (urgent care center)

  • Mary Bridge Children’s Urgent Care

  • MultiCare Medical Park

  • MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

  • Pathways Family Health Medical Center

  • Pediatrics Northwest, P.S.

Neighboring Towns

  • Olalla - 8.5 miles

  • Tacoma - 13 miles

  • Port Orchard - 16 miles

  • Bremerton - 21 miles

  • Seattle - 45 miles

Transportation

Area Attractions

Parks for Walking, Hiking & Water Access

Dog Parks

Golf Clubs

Other

While she helps both buyers and sellers, Michelle Charlton’s sweet spot is helping sellers maximize their home sale profits by giving their homes some strategic TLC before listing. She’s developed relationships with the area’s top home and construction pros, so if you’re looking for a realtor with renovations and new-construction experience, Michelle is the right agent for you. 

Michelle’s love of real estate extends to both her personal and professional life, and she can’t think of a more enjoyable and fulfilling way to indulge her love of all things DIY, interior design, and architecture. She can’t imagine living anywhere other than Gig Harbor and is proud to be part of the Neighborhood Experts team.

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