A guide to the best places on Bainbridge by a 20-year+ local! Growing up on Bainbridge Island, my friends and I have perfected the best way to spend a day on Bainbridge Island.
There are 2 main ways to get to Bainbridge and they depend on a few different things. The main way is the most common, of course, the famous Ferry Boat
Seattle/Bainbridge Ferry:
Travel Time: 35-40 minutesÂ
Route: This route is only from Bainbridge Island to downtown SeattleÂ
(there are other ferries around the Seattle area, these can be found on the WSDOT app)Â
Price: These prices vary based on if you have a car or not.
Without car: Ages 19+ is $9.45 roundtrip (NOTE: you will only pay going from Seattle TO Bainbridge, you buy your ticket on the Seattle side and just walk on coming back where you do NOT need to purchase a ticket)Â
With car: When you drive your car on the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge you will pay a car + 1 passenger fee of $20.40. If you have any other people in your car you will have to pay for them as well, just make sure you tell the person in the toll booth how many people are in your car. If you have kids under the age of 18 make sure you tell them that too because kids are $4.90 instead of $9.45 for an adult! On your car ride back to Seattle you will ONLY have to pay for the car, not the passengers. Â
FERRY NOTES: Please note that there are only 2 boats making this route so they run ever 50 minutes to an hour. These crossings often get delayed due to a variety of reasons such as mechanical issues, lack of crew and just basic human error. Remember to have patience and note that if you are traveling during a weekend during the summer (peak season) there is a chance there will be a delay or you will miss a boat or 2 due to large amounts of people. Each boat holds between 180-200 cars so if there are too many cars driving on there are times you will have to wait. There is no max capacity for walk-ons, but delays will still become an issue. The WSDOT is very helpful in tracking crossing times and capacity issues.Â
Now, if you HAVE a car and are looking to avoid the ferry OR you are coming from south part of the state there is a bridge that you drive across to get to the island. You will have to drive through Tacoma, across the Tacoma Narrows, through Gig Harbor and Port Orchard on Highway 16. If you take this route from Seattle it will take about 1-2 hours (depending on traffic). This is an easy way to guarantee you will make it to the island, it just adds some driving!Â
Transportation on the IslandÂ
With a car: If you are bringing a car to the island this is the best way to see the rest of the island besides just the downtown area.Â
Without a car: There are a couple of shuttle systems that can be booked ahead of time, and there is also a bus system with routes that run a bit less on the weekend. These are both great options!Â
With a bike: This is a great way to get around the island as well! If you have an electric bike, that is probably your best bet because the island is quite hilly so make sure that if you are biking you have the proper clothes and shoes otherwise it can be much more difficult.Â
South End Specialties!
The south end of Bainbridge is often overlooked because most people don't know about everything that's available here. The best way to get here is by car, but if you stay at Pleasant Beach Village you can book a shuttle ahead of time to pick you up from the ferry and bring you to your beautiful Island getaway!Â
Pleasant Beach Village
The Inn at Pleasant Beach you will be welcomed to your cheerful, individually furnished suites that feature unique architectural details, cozy sitting areas, fireplaces and balconies. This luxurious Inn is the perfect prescription for a destination getaway or a local staycation.
This small resort is a great way to spend your days on the island surrounded by island locals, enjoying strolls to the beach, stunning puget sound views and delicious food and wine all within steps of your room!
This cute wine bar is located downstairs from the inn! It is a great place for a romantic date night night, live music, or a fun night of trivia with friends!
With over 20+ different bottles of wine, there is something for everyone!
Don't like wine? They have beer and cocktails as well!
Located just downstairs from the inn, The Marketplace is the best place for breakfast, coffee and lunch sandwiches. Order ahead and stroll down from your room to enjoy your to-go coffee in bed or on your patio!
Visiting for the day? There is a great outdoor patio space to enjoy your coffee with other locals!
Do you love Italian food with a view? Joe's restaurant is the best way to enjoy delicious pasta, pizza and drinks with friends and family! With a stunning patio that looks over the Puget Sound, you can't go wrong!
Traveling with kids? Craving a burger? Hammy's Burgers has won "Best of Bainbrige" Burger since 2018! With gluten-free, veggie and kid-friendly options Hammy's is great for the whole family!
Staying at the Village and looking for a beautiful sunset? Point White Dock is a local favorite! With views of Bremerton and Port Orchard you get to see a lot of Kitsap County from here! If it's warm enough and you're feeling brave take a little dip!
Touch Grass! This flat walk is a great way to walk right along the water and see some of Bainbridge Island's history! Run, Walk or Bike along this wide trail and get to see some of the spectacular views of the South end of the island
The best beach on Bainbridge! With perfect views of the incoming ferries, sandy beaches, and refreshing water this place is great for everyone!
Bonus: this is one of the only "off leash" dog parks on the island, so let your pup run around while you put your feet in the sand!
Do you love tidepooling? This beach is every critter lover's dream! With its extreme tides and large rocks and barnacles it's a great place to explore!
Dine in or take out Mexican food! This delicious Mexican restaurant has been on the island for years and is beloved by all the locals. Love burritos and margs? This is your place!
Are you a pool lover? Treehouse cafe is a great place to enjoy upscale bar food, a beer and play some pool with your friends! Enjoy a rustic 'treehouse' vibe with great food and local faces!
Another great place for kids and families! Build your own perfect frozen yogurt bowl, pay by weight and enjoy a variety of kids puzzles and games! In the summer, sit outside and enjoy some live music (Tuesdays, Friday's and Saturdays) while the kids play in the beloved mouse fountain!
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Other Lodging Options
Pleasant Beach has quite a few summer weddings on the weekend due to it's amazing popularity! Don't let that stop you from booking a place if they are full, check below for other great options!Â
Do you love wine? Bainbridge Island has some of the best wineries in the Seattle area! With local Washington grown grapes and a variety of different wineries and tasting rooms you will leave with a new favorite wine and a little tipsy!Â
The cutest winery ever! With island-grown grapes, farm like atmosphere and knowledgeable staff this winery feels like old Bainbridge Island. While they don't have a lot of food options, you can order wine by the bottle or glass as well as their seasonal wine flights!
One of the most well known, talked about wineries on the island with its treehouse-like vibes and variety of live music you can't go wrong with this winery! Each wine is made on the island and has some of the best flavors to look for!
The owners of this winery are some of the kindest, most knowledgeable people on the island! While a bit more on the pricey side, these grapes are grown in the Walla Walla Valley and brought to Bainbridge where they are pressed into the amazing wine you get to taste!
Don't have a car? This tasting room is right off the ferry for your wine-tasting needs! In the summer you can enjoy a glass (or bottle) of wine on the roof!
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Grab a coffee and go Outside!Â
Not only is Bainbridge known for its wine, but it has some of the best coffee thanks to its proximity to Seattle! One of my personal favorite activities to do with my best friends is grab a delicious warm coffee and go for a walk! Here are a couple of my favorites.
Located next to the famous Bay Hay and feed, this coffee shop is my personal favorite on the island. With cute outdoor seating next to their nursery it has great pastries, sandwiches and coffee!
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Once you've grabbed coffee from here you can take it on a loop down to the waterfront. Depending on what way you go you can walk down to the beach and it is anywhere from a 1.5 mile walk to a 3 mile walk! Great way to see the city from the island. Details on the beach below:
Walkable from the ferry, this coffee shop is famous on Bainbridge! This rustic coffee shop has great food, great pastries and some of the best coffee on the island. With it's ivy covered brick and its cute back patio, its a great place to grab a book or catch up with a friend!
Right next to Pegasus, you can grab your coffee and take it along this waterfront board walk and park! You will be able to see all the boats in the Marina and check out the beautiful bay!
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Walkable Destinations
Don't have a car? No problem! The Bainbridge ferry is one of the few ferries that drops you right in the heart of the town! There are plenty of great places to try if you don't have a car. Make sure if you are traveling in the summer that you expect long waits and crowded streets!Â
One of the most popular shops on the island! This bookstore has great books and souvenirs that you can only find on the island. Grab a coffee and walk around the cozy bookstore on a rainy day!
Probably one of the most famous places on the island! This coffee shop and bakery is known for its homemade cakes, adorable cookies and of course it's delicious toast and jam! Don't miss it when you're walking around town!
Newer to the island, but a personal favorite of mine! Vietnamese fusion created by the amazing brother/sister duo will have you wanting to try everything. Don't forget about their delicious cocktails and special desserts.
My personal favorite dish is the spicy prawn noodles! Split with a friend or enjoy by yourself :)
Craving sushi? Subi is the best on the island! The menu has a large amount of handcrafted rolls as well as other great dishes to share with the table. If you have a large party make sure you call ahead!
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North-end Stand-outs!Â
Bainbridge isn't a very big island but locals have their personal favorites of course. I am partial so some of my north end favorites since I've grown up here my whole life! Check out some of these if you have a car.Â
The best Italian restaurant on the island! Owners Pino and Lani Sordello do their very best at making everything look as beautiful as the wine tastes. Dine-in offered Thursday-Sunday is the best way to enjoy the food. Along with pizza and pasta they also offer delicious salads, sweets and bottles of wine you can take to go. Via Rosa is a must!
Fay Bainbridge is a great place to have a picnic with food from the grocery store or take-out from your favorite restaurant. Kids can play on the playground or jump on the logs on the beach while you walk up and down the beautiful water! In the summer, this is the best place on the island to camp, so make sure you book ahead!
Take the kids or the dogs on a long walk around the best park on the island! Play soccer or lacrosse on the fields, roller hockey on the rink or tennis on the courts this park has everything! The newly re-done playground is great for kids to play as well.
This is a must see! The most beautiful gardens and walking paths on the island, you could spend a whole day here just wandering around the premise. It's worth the drive and the money!
If you're an oyster lover and want to find the best oysters in the PNW this is your place! This adorable, outdoor restaurant is a great way to eat oysters and other great seafood. If you are willing to make the drive I highly recommend.
Get here early before the best sells out! This lunch place is highly sought after and a great way to drive and see some great scenery of the peninsula!
If you have a whole day, this is the place to go. This water is crystal clear and highly refreshing on a summer day. Grab some snacks, go for a small hike and enjoy the afternoon by sitting and swimming in the amazing lake!
My name is Julia Lapin, I was born and raised on Bainbridge Island (right across from Seattle, yes like Grey's Anatomy) and have lived in the Pacific Northwest my whole life. I am about to leave for a 9-month journey to Castellon de la Plana, Spain where I will be teaching English to young Spanish kids. On this page I will be sharing some of my best secrets of the PNW, my new recommendations for my new Spanish lifestyle, and giving you an inside look at European weekend trips.
