The “Best Of” on & Around Kitsap Peninsula

Some friends are coming for a visit, so I’m putting together a list of things I like to see/do/eat in our area to give them ideas of how they might like to spend their time while they’re here. Obviously this is a VERY subjective list; a curation, if you will. Just a limited list of some of my faves. I’m curious to hear your thoughts. Have recommendations for places to eat, hike or shop? Share them in the comments! I love trying new things!

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a foodie. If I could just take a pill and get all my nutrients that way, I’d be totally into that. Though I’m not sure I could live indefinitely without desserts! Having moved from more culinary-rich areas, I consider Kitsap to be a bit lacking in variety and quality of menu options. But that’s just the opinion of this person who doesn’t get very excited about food. There aren’t many, but here are some of my favorites.

• Devoted Kiss Café (Gig Harbor) – Spinach and Tomato Eggs Benedict with morning potatoes
• Oxalis Kitchen (Poulsbo) – Egg Sandwich with avocado instead of bacon
• Maynard’s (Silverdale) – Farmers Skillet

• Silver City (Silverdale)
• Boat Shed (Bremerton) – TIP: If the weather is nice, this restaurant has some of the best outdoor seating, right along the water. Gets busy when there is live music, and parking is always a challenge.

• Small-batch Breads & Pastries – Sluys (Poulsbo) – Apple fritter
• Cupcakes – Bella Bella (Silverdale) – They even have gluten free options
• Cakes – Town & Country Markets (Kitsap Locations: Poulsbo, Bainbridge)
• Fudge – Poulsbo Candy Shoppe (Poulsbo) – So many flavors, and they give you tons of samples!
• Milkshakes – Granny’s Café (Port Angeles) – Salted Caramel Malt or Chocolate Malt. A great stop if you’re hiking/biking around Lake Crescent.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but I love my steamers! I’m told that both places have great coffee drinks, too!

• Oxalis Kitchen (Poulsbo) – Steamer with oat milk and from-scratch thyme syrup. Sounds odd but it’s amazing! They typically have a few house-made syrups you can put in your drink.
• PNW Press (Quilcene) – Best Combo: Steamer with oat milk and two syrups: toasted marshmallow and raspberry. TIP: Get a lemon Danish (heated) while you’re here. This is a great post-hike treat if you’re in the area.

I’ve loved both of these experiences and highly recommend them, particularly on a nice weather day. They’re in relatively close proximity to each other, so you could go on a whale watching/wildlife tour in the morning and end your day with Finn River fun.

• Finn River Cidery Tour (Chimacum) – Tours are available on the weekends and are a lot of fun! Try multiple ciders, tour the orchard, and learn about the cider-making process. TIP: After your tour, stick around for great food, corn hole and live music.
• Puget Sound Express Whale Watching (Port Townsend) – Head out on the open water searching for Orcas and Biggs Killer Whales, along with porpoises, sea lions, eagles and more. Our area is blessed with so much fascinating wildlife!

My favorite, super large mug is from a local Poulsbo artist.

Downtown Poulsbo – If you’re looking for a walkable downtown area with a variety of shops, Poulsbo is a gem! Stroll along Liberty Bay and the Poulsbo Waterfront Park, nosh sweet treats at Sluy’s Bakery or Poulsbo Candy Shoppe, and browse a very eclectic array of tourist shops, galleries, vintage/antiques, clothing stores and more.

• Art Galleries – There are loads of galleries in this area, but my faves so far are: Collective Visions Gallery (Bremerton) and Front Street Gallery (Poulsbo).
• Outdoor Clothes & Gear – Sierra (Silverdale), a TJMaxx/Marshall’s type of store for recreation-related items.
• Bay Hay and Feed (Bainbridge) – This general store has a plant nursery, café, gift and clothing shop, plus groceries with goods from local farmers and bakers.
• Architectural Salvage – Second Use (Seattle, Tacoma) – The shop in Seattle is my favorite of all the architectural salvage shops in our region (and there are several). TIP: Take a ferry from Kitsap to Seattle (from Bremerton or Bainbridge) to enjoy time on the water. After you’ve browsed the massive salvage shop, head to nearby Georgetown for my fave restaurant Fonda la Catrina followed by dessert at Fran’s Chocolates across the street. You’ll need a car for this adventure.
• Farmers Markets – Coming from an incredible farm area in North Carolina, I have to admit that our farmers markets here aren’t nearly as robust. However, you can still get great produce, crafts, honey and even seafood at the farmers markets around here. I love being able to meet farm owners and craft makers and talk about what they have to sell. The markets around here generally run from April through October, though the Poulsbo Farmers Market has a longer season. Other markets to check out: Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard.
• Sunny Farm Country Store (Sequim) – If you’re on your way to the Spruce Railroad Trail, Shi Shi Beach, Dungeness Spit or Deer Park Trailhead, stop by this gourmet general store for snacks or a treat post-hike/ride. Here you’ll find organic fruits and veggies, local chocolates and gifts, delicious prepared food (including my favorite carrot cake), as well as plants and tons of other delights.

Washington Park on Fidalgo Island is a bit of a drive but has views for days!

One of the many reasons we moved to this area is the access to incredible outdoor activities! In fact, you’ll find us hiking, biking and/or kayaking pretty much every week. The number of trails available is vast; and there really is a hike for everyone. For relatively easy hikes across the area, see my post Hiking with Senior Dogs in Western Washington (a continuous work in progress). To search for hikes in the state, check out the Washington Trails Association’s Hike Finder Map. I have hiked/biked countless trails in the area, but here are my favorites.

• Guillemot Cove (Seabeck) – My favorite local hike. Moderate with amazing water/mountain views. Go at low tide for an extra special experience. The Stump House is worth seeing, and there are wooded trails (not just the one to the beach), if you want to add some miles to your hike. Stop by the Seabeck waterfront after your hike to treat yourself to pizza and ice cream or a mocha. If you need snacks on your way in, the Seabeck Landing General Store has you covered. On your way in/out of Seabeck, stop at Big Beef Creek if you’re there at low tide for a chance to see lots of eagles and Great Blue Herons.
• Point No Point (Hansville) – This is an easy stroll along the beach, though there is a short wooded hike on property. You do have to walk a bit on the road to get to the beach now since there is no longer an option of parking near the lighthouse unless you rent the Historic Keeper’s Quarters.
• Buck Lake Native Plant Garden (Hansville) – Just across from the road to Point No Point is the road to Buck Lake Park where you’ll find plenty of hiking trails, Buck Lake, and this beautiful garden filled with native plants. If you’re interested in learning about plants native to our area, this is a great garden to tour. Buck Lake Park and Hansville Greenway Map
• Mt. Townsend via Little Quilcene (Olympic Peninsula, East) – A difficult hike but totally worth the views! One of my favorite hikes in the area! Check recent trip reports for road and trail conditions. There are actually four ways to access Mt. Townsend. My favorite access is via the Little Quilcene trail, but the road often isn’t available until June because of snow.
• Deer Park to Maiden Peak (Port Angeles) – The road to the trailhead is a bit sketchy; be on the lookout for other vehicles coming the opposite direction up/down this steep, curvy, narrow gravel road. The views from the trail are incredible and well worth the harrowing car ride. There are a number of trails in this general area, and you can even access Maiden Peak from the west side coming from Hurricane Ridge on an even sketchier road. My suggestion is to take this particular trail starting at the Deer Park Trailhead and stopping at Maiden Peak for a picnic before returning the way you came. This hike is more moderate than Mt. Townsend but the views are just as incredible. Check recent trip reports for road and trail conditions.
• Mount Walker (Quilcene) – This is a challenging hike, but you can drive to the top half of the year (typically April to October). Check recent trip reports for road and trail conditions. Drive or Hike
• Spruce Railroad Trail (Olympic Peninsula, North) – This easy trail follows along the shore of Lake Crescent for much of the way, offering beautiful water and mountain views. It’s a popular trail for both hiking and biking and and is perfect for people and dogs with mobility challenges because the entire main trail is flat and paved. If you’re able to take the off-shoot trail (a bit steep in sections, not paved) to the Devil’s Punchbowl, it’s well worth the effort.
• Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge (Sequim) – This 5.5 mile sand spit offers incredible mountain and sea views and is home to countless birds and marine mammals as well as an operating lighthouse. The spit is accessible at low tide, and you can hike the full 11 miles roundtrip or simply go as far as you’d like and then turn around. Bring a blanket and snacks for a picnic and a relaxing nap on the beach. This refuge provides critical habitat for wildlife, and parts of the park are off-limits at various times throughout the year. Dogs are not allowed on the spit, but there are hiking trails outside the refuge where dogs can explore. There are also campsites on the property. A small entry fee is required to access the refuge, and various park passes are also accepted, including the NPS Interagency Pass.
• Washington Park (Fidalgo Island) – This moderate hike is quite a distance from Kitsap, and requires a ferry for part of the journey, so it’s a great candidate for an overnight stay in the area. The views are spectacular!
• Ebey’s Landing (Whidbey Island) – A wonderful, moderate hike with a cliff, beach and loads of mountain views on a clear day. Take the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry (best to make reservations for the ferry in advance).
• Shi Shi Beach (Washington Coast, North) – This moderate hike is best at low tide so you can see tide pools and have easy access for hiking. The trail to the beach can get pretty muddy. Given the distance from Kitsap, this hike is best as an overnight.