Bainbridge

The Beauty of Bainbridge Island

Hike and Explore at Bainbridge Island

You know a place is special when locals head to it for their in-state vacations. Follow the lead of Seattleites and venture to beautiful Bainbridge Island in the heart of Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula.

From Seattle, first-come, first-served Washington State Ferries run regularly from Pier 52, accommodating both walk-on and vehicle transportation to the island. (If you head there directly from Sea-Tac airport, you can take a shuttle to the nearby car rentals, and it’s about a fifteen-minute drive to the ferry dock for Bainbridge, depending on traffic.)

The roughly 35-minute trip crosses Puget Sound, so keep an eye out for whales, and enjoy the departing view of the Seattle Great Wheel on the city’s picturesque Pier 57.

Meet Pia: Stop and say hi to Bainbridge Island’s resident troll. Pia the Peacekeeper is an 18-foot-tall sculpture created from recycled wood by Danish artist Thomas Dambo.

Located in quiet Sakai Park, Pia makes a big impression, welcoming all, embracing the spirit of culture and community. Park in the small lot and follow the easy and short marked trail to Pia. She is waiting, ready to offer a big … troll hug! Embrace it. Find Pia.

The Grand Forest: Grand is not an overstatement for this network of enchanting trails connecting the West Grand Forest and the East Grand Forest. This mint-mossy forest is a green dream of trails frilled by ferns with a misty luster. Cross streams and bypass wetlands amid towering firs and cedars. The best trail for a lovely overview of the landscape is the “Main Loop” of the Grand Forest West Trail System (9752 Miller Road NE). Within 121 surrounding acres, the loop hike clocks in at 1.5 miles, and passes over the flowing Issei Creek via a photogenic bridge. If you want to explore more, there are hikes from West Grand Forest to East Grand Forest; or embark on the Forest to Sky Trail from West Grand Forest to Battle Point Park. Whatever you choose, it’ll be Grand. Info, Directions, and Maps.

Eat + Drink: Located in a historic ivy-covered building in the heart of Bainbridge’s charming downtown, Pegasus Coffee was named one of the “Best Independent Coffee Shops in the World” (Financial Times, 2022). This cozy spot also serves wine, beer, and hearty comfort foods: The menu features pastries, sandwiches, and soups.

Visit Kitsap

Visit Bainbridge Island

Visit Washington State

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  4. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View
  4. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View