The West Seattle Neighborhood

Alaska Junction

Westwood Village

Alaska Junction

At the intersection of California and Alaska, this is the primary "center" of West Seattle. Excellent shopping, restaurants, services and entertainment. And Bakery Nouveau, possibly the finest in Seattle.

White Center

Westwood Village

Alaska Junction

White Center is our answer to Seattle's International District. This gem is loaded with a variety of ethnic markets and eateries. Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern elements mix with BBQ, pizza, burgers and local ice cream. Plus a world-class hardware store.

Westwood Village

A mile south is our one-stop shopping center for grocery, drug store, banks, Target, Big 5 Sports, Staples, and a host of other shops and restaurants. The local Post Office is there too.

Lincoln Park

Westwood Village

This in-city retreat lies just west where bluffs overlook the shores and Sound. There are picnic areas, great walking trails amongst the forested areas, ball fields, wading pools, and in summer the Coleman Pool features heated ocean water without all the chemicals for a magnificent swimming experience.

Alki

Lincoln Park

Worship

The Alki peninsula frames the western boundary of Elliott Bay. On its western shore is a small sandy beach and numerous beachfront cafes and shops, complemented with stunning views of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains. On the east side are the Water Taxi terminal, restaurants, and by far the best views of Seattle's skyline & Mt. Rainer. A level, paved bike/walking trail circumnavigates it all.

Worship

Lincoln Park

Worship

West Seattle has more than 30 houses of worship, several within a few blocks. Most all religions, denominations and sects are represented.

Food & Drink

A Food Lover's Paradise

Seattle's restaurant scene is vibrant and deserving of its excellent reputation. The Guest House vacation rental maintains many dining & entertainment guides, and Susan and Bob are happy to make suggestions. Because of our winery business, we are well connected to the culinary community.

We are spoiled by a wealth of grocery options -- from basic chains to gourmet specialty shops, butchers, ethnic markets, produce stands and a year-round local farmer's market. There is also a variety of take-out, food truck, bar, sports bar, and supper club offerings. For those so inclined, the Guest House has a fully-equipped kitchen to take advantage of our superb local ingredients.

A short stroll away are a coffee house, The Westy (a sports bar with terrific food and is open late), Locol Barley & Vine (beer, wine, eclectic snacks & live music) - and Best of Hands craft brewery. West Seattle is blessed with an abundance of superb dining options - of every cuisine imaginable - so there's no need to travel downtown. ...Unless you want to, and that's easy to do.

Getting Around

By Bus

By Other Means

By Ferry

The Guest House is 1/2 block from the Metro 21 bus line. This route takes you directly into Downtown, the Pike Place Market, and places in between.

By Ferry

By Other Means

By Ferry

Washington State has the largest ferry system in the US and 4th largest in the world, covering the entire Puget Sound. There is also a high-speed ferry from Seattle to Victoria, BC.

We are a short distance from Fauntleroy Ferry terminal, which has car and passenger service to nearby Vashon Island.

For more information see

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/

By Other Means

Apart from having miserable traffic, Seattle is a drivable city.

The commercial taxi services aren't anything to brag about, but Uber and Lyft provide excellent service.

There are bike trails throughout most of the city -- but there are also hills!

For a special treat, the bus will take you to the Water Taxi, which runs from Alki Point here in West Seattle across Elliott Bay to the Seattle waterfront. 5-Star views (weather depending)

Essentials

FIRE

MEDICAL

POLICE

The Fire Station is half a block away. Firemen are all trained in emergency medical services (EMT) and have appropriate equipment.

POLICE

MEDICAL

POLICE

The Southwest Precinct of the Seattle Police Department is just down our closest cross street, about 8 short blocks away. Police response to 911-type emergencies is excellent.

MEDICAL

Seattle's Harborview Medical Center is the premier trauma center in the Northwest. Excellent Emergency Room also at the Swedish Medical Center, all located in First Hill, about 20 minutes away.

DENTAL

PHARMACIES

MEDICAL

If you have a dental emergency your hosts can provide referrals and options.

PHARMACIES

Both Walgreens and Rite Aide have multiple locations within a short drive. Other pharmacies are also available.

EYE CARE

PHARMACIES

Directly behind the Guest House, across the alley, is the full-service Clearview Eye Clinic, complete with all types of emergency care capabilities.

SEE & DO IN SEATTLE

ENTERTAINMENT IN GENERAL

For a comprehensive listing of theater, arts, music and entertainment options refer to The Stranger event pages (also available in free boxes throughout downtown)

https://www.thestranger.com/

Warning: while the listings in the Stranger are valuable, the politics may offend some. It is -- shall we say -- decidedly liberal/radical...

MUSEUMS

SAM - The Seattle Art Museum: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/

MOHAI - The Museum of History And Industry: https://mohai.org/

Asian Art Museum: http://www.asianart.org/ (CLOSED FOR RENOVATION - re-opening in 2019?)

Museum of Flight: http://www.museumofflight.org/

TOURS

Seattle Underground: this highly entertaining, slightly off-color tour traces the history and infamy of early Seattle. http://www.undergroundtour.com/

Argosy Cruises: see the city from the perspective of our substantial boating community. Tour Elliot Bay, Lake Union, dinner cruises, etc. https://www.argosycruises.com/

There are also whale watching, kayaking, Pike Place Market and other tours.

THEATER, MUSIC & DANCE

Symphony: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/

Opera: https://www.seattleopera.org/

Jazz Alley Supper Club: https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/

Triple Door Supper Club: https://tickets.thetripledoor.net/ACT

West Seattle Playhouse: our local theater group -- http://www.artswest.org/

Ballet: the Pacific Northwest Ballet -- https://www.pnb.org/

Stage: A Contemporary Theater (ACT): http://www.acttheatre.org/

PIKE PLACE MARKET & SEATTLE CENTER

We actually shop "The Market" regularly. For more information see:

http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/

Tip: Don't call it "Pike Market" or "Pike's Market" -- you'll be immediately pegged as an outsider. But "Pike Place" or just "the Market" are fine.

For a tour of the Market see: http://pikeplacemarket.org/tours-market

The iconic Space Needle in the Seattle Center actually has a fine dining experience in addition to its killer view, with really good food & drink. And the Pacific Science Center entertains young & old. Seattle's IMAX theater & the Chihuly Glass Garden [excellent!] are there too. Note: The Needle completed renovations in Spring 2018, featuring a new, see-through platform floor!

For more: https://www.spaceneedle.com/home/

A more old-world, intimate city view is available at the bar atop the Smith Tower, once the tallest building in the West. https://www.smithtower.com/

OTHERS

There are several websites dealing with activities in Seattle and the Puget Sound. Some of our favorites:

http://www.seattlepi.com/visitorsguide/

https://www.seattle.gov/visiting-seattle

In the Pacific Northwest

Progressive City, Mountain Majesty, Islands & Agricuture

The Pacific Northwest is an outdoor playland. From Mt. Rainier in the south to Mt. Baker in the north, from the Cascade Range in the east to the Olympics across the Puget Sound to the west, Seattle is a hub of urban modernism surrounded by stunning mountains and unparalleled natural beauty.

World-class Vineyards and Wines

From the vacation rental, a short drive across Lake Washington to the east side brings you to a dazzling array of wineries and tasting rooms representing the finest of the State's world-renowned wines: https://woodinvillewinecountry.com/

Or take a side trip to Walla Walla in Eastern Washington for exceptional wine tourism: http://www.wallawallawine.com/#wineries

While you're on the east side of the mountains, check out apples, cherries, hops & more. Or, head north to the Skagit Valley for some of the finest strawberries and other agricultural delights: https://agr.wa.gov/Marketing/SmallFarm/docs/SkagitValley.pdf

Plus, catch the tulip festival in late spring. http://www.tulipfestival.org/

Our Wonderful Neighbors

We're proud to be friends and neighbors of our Canadian sister cities, Vancouver & Victoria, BC. A high-speed ferry takes you from the downtown waterfront directly to Victoria's harbor and the Empress Hotel. Or, a reasonable drive, train ride, or airline commute will access the wonderful, walkable, international attractions of Vancouver. Either is definitely worth a visit and the exchange rate is usually favorable. BC also boasts some exceptional wines from the Okanagan Valley.

Equally enchanting is Portland, OR, our soul-mate to the south. This is a food-lover's paradise and the gateway to the splendors of the Columbia Gorge and the Willamette Valley. We LOVE Portland!