Some of my favorite weekends start with a ferry ride and no real agenda. This past weekend was one of them. The sun came out — that rare, luminous Pacific Northwest spring sun that makes you cancel everything — and my husband and I decided it was finally time to check something off my local wish list: the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island.
I’ve been recommending Bainbridge to guests at our vacation rental (we no longer have) for years. It’s one of those places that feels like a world away from Seattle, even though it’s less than an hour door-to-door. Now that we’d finally made the trip ourselves, I had to share it here.
Getting There: The Ferry is Half the Fun
From downtown Seattle, it’s a 35-minute crossing on Washington State Ferries from Colman Dock (Pier 52) to Winslow on Bainbridge Island. Factor in a few minutes to walk or drive to the terminal and you’re looking at under an hour from the city. Foot passengers board quickly, and you can grab coffee on the boat.
The crossing itself is worth it — on a clear spring day you’ll have the Seattle skyline behind you and the Olympic Mountains ahead. It’s genuinely one of the great short scenic routes in the Pacific Northwest.
The Bloedel Reserve: A Pacific Northwest Treasure
The Bloedel Reserve sits on 140 acres in the north end of Bainbridge Island, about 6 miles from the ferry terminal. It was created by Virginia and Prentice Bloedel — Prentice was vice-chairman of the lumber company MacMillan Bloedel Limited — who transformed a rough Northwest forest under the influence of conservation philosophy and Asian aesthetics. The result is a harmonious blend of natural woodland, meadows, ponds, and curated garden spaces that manages to feel both intentional and deeply wild.
It opened to the public in 1988 and has been named one of the top ten public gardens in the United States. On a beautiful spring day, it absolutely earns that designation.
What to Expect
- A 2-mile loop of well-maintained bark, gravel, and paved trails through 23 distinct landscapes
- The famous Japanese Garden, Moss Garden, Rhododendron Glen, and Reflection Garden
- The Bloedels’ French Chateau-style home, preserved as a visitor center with many original furnishings
- Wildlife — we spotted eagles, ducks, and geese on and around the ponds
- Timed-entry tickets are required — buy online in advance at bloedelreserve.org
- Open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays); spring hours are 10 AM–5 PM
- Wheelchairs available for guests with limited mobility; paved ADA route covers the highlights
Plan to Spend at Least 2 Hours
The 2-mile loop is manageable for most walkers, but this is not a place to rush. The whole point is to slow down, notice things, and let the quiet work on you. We took our time and were glad we did.
No food, beverages, or pets on the trails. This is intentional — they’re maintaining a very specific, tranquil experience. Plan your lunch before or after at one of the many great restaurants in downtown Winslow.
First Wednesday of the month is “Welcome Wednesday” — a pay-as-you-wish community day. A great way to visit without paying full admission.
More photos from our visit to Bainbridge.
More to Explore on Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge rewards wandering. Here are a few more spots worth adding to your itinerary.
Fort Ward Park
On the southwestern shore of Bainbridge along Rich Passage, Fort Ward Park offers 137 acres of dense forest, 4,300 feet of saltwater shoreline, and real Pacific Northwest military history. The fort was officially commissioned in 1903 to protect the Bremerton Naval Shipyard, and during World War II the U.S. Navy used it as a radio station and code-breaking school — a key Pacific listening post for intercepting Japanese naval communications. Two original gun batteries are still visible along the main walkway.
Today it’s a beautiful day-use park with a paved beachside trail, picnic areas, a boat launch, and scuba diving in the underwater park. Open year-round, 8 AM to dusk. Free to enter (Discover Pass required for vehicle access).
Fay Bainbridge Park
On the northeast corner of the island, Fay Bainbridge Park offers 1,420 feet of sandy saltwater shoreline with sweeping views across Puget Sound toward the Cascade Mountains. On a clear day you can see both Mount Rainier and Mount Baker from the beach — one of the prettiest spots on the island for a picnic or a sunset walk. Camping is also available for those who want to extend the trip.
Chief Seattle’s Burial Site — Suquamish
Just across Agate Pass (about a 15-minute drive from the ferry terminal) is the town of Suquamish, ancestral home of the Suquamish Tribe. Bainbridge Island was part of the Suquamish people’s traditional territory for thousands of years, and the island’s history is inseparable from theirs.
Chief Seattle — siʔaɬ in Lushootseed — was a leader of the Suquamish and Duwamish peoples born around 1786. As a young boy, he was present when George Vancouver’s expedition anchored at Restoration Point on the south end of Bainbridge in 1792. He was the first signatory on the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott, and Seattle’s founders named the city in his honor. He died in 1866 and is buried at the Suquamish Memorial Cemetery behind historic Saint Peter’s Church — a peaceful, meaningful site well worth the short detour. The Suquamish Museum nearby tells the fuller story.
Thinking About Living on Bainbridge Island?
After a day like this, it’s easy to understand why people fall hard for Bainbridge. It has the feel of a Pacific Northwest small town — quiet roads, big trees, incredible water views — with a Seattle commute that’s honestly more pleasant than driving from many Seattle neighborhoods. The ferry becomes part of your daily rhythm, not a burden.
What Does It Cost?
Bainbridge Island is a premium market. Recent data puts the median home price in the $1.1M–$1.3M range, with significant variation by location, size, and waterfront access. Waterfront properties trade in their own category — the top waterfront sale in 2025 closed at $6.3 million, with active luxury listings ranging considerably higher. That said, the waterfront market has been recalibrating, and buyers are finding more selectivity at the upper price tiers than in prior years.
For context, Bainbridge waterfront properties are generally priced more competitively per square foot than comparable waterfront homes on the Seattle Eastside — which surprises many buyers who assume Mercer Island or Bellevue waterfront is the only option.
Ready to Make the Island Your Home Base?
At these price points, most Bainbridge purchases involve jumbo financing — loans above the conforming loan limits. What surprises many buyers is that jumbo rates today can be very competitive with conventional rates. There’s no longer an automatic rate penalty for borrowing more.
I work with buyers throughout King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, and I’m happy to extend that conversation to Kitsap County as well. If island living is on your radar, let’s start with a full picture of your finances — not just a rate quote.
Bainbridge Island Day Trip: Quick Reference
- Seattle Ferry Terminal: Colman Dock, Pier 52 — Washington State Ferries
- Crossing time: ~35 minutes each way
- Bloedel Reserve: 7571 NE Dolphin Dr — bloedelreserve.org (buy tickets in advance)
- Bloedel hours: Tue–Sun, 10 AM–5 PM (spring); closed Mondays
- Hi Life Sushi (near ferry): hi-life-bi.square.site
- Fort Ward Park: 2241 Pleasant Beach Dr — open 8 AM–dusk year-round
- Fay Bainbridge Park: 15446 Sunrise Drive NE — open 8 AM–dusk year-round
- Chief Seattle Grave / Suquamish Museum: Suquamish, ~15 min drive from Bainbridge ferry terminal
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get to Bainbridge Island from Seattle?
The Washington State Ferry from Colman Dock (Pier 52) to Winslow takes about 35 minutes. Door-to-door from most Seattle neighborhoods, plan for under an hour.
Do you need a reservation to visit the Bloedel Reserve?
Yes. The Bloedel Reserve uses a timed-entry ticketing system. Tickets are required and should be purchased online in advance at bloedelreserve.org to guarantee your spot and parking. The first Wednesday of each month is a pay-as-you-wish community day.
Can you bring food or pets to the Bloedel Reserve?
No. Food, beverages other than water, and pets are not allowed on the trails. This is by design to maintain the tranquil, immersive experience. Plan your meal before or after at one of the restaurants in downtown Winslow.
How long does it take to walk the Bloedel Reserve?
The main loop is approximately 2 miles. Plan to spend at least 2 hours — more if you want to linger in the gardens, which you will. The reserve also has an ADA-accessible paved route covering the highlights for guests with limited mobility.
What are home prices like on Bainbridge Island?
The median home price on Bainbridge Island is in the $1.1M–$1.3M range depending on the source and timing. Waterfront properties command a significant premium. Many purchases at these price points involve jumbo financing — contact me to explore what that looks like for your situation.
Have you been to Bainbridge Island? I’d love to hear your favorite spots in the comments. And if you’re ever thinking about making the move from day-tripper to island resident — I’d love to help you figure out how to get there.
Rhonda Porter | The Mortgage Porter | NMLS #121324 | Serving King, Pierce, Snohomish & Kitsap Counties
About Rhonda Porter
Please leave a reply