About the Area
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
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, Total Wine & More, and a host of other shops and restaurants. The local Post Office is there too.
The West Seattle Neighborhood
Lincoln Park
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
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 (pictured above) and Mt. Rainer. A level, paved bike/walking trail circumnavigates it all.
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 and 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 from the Guest House are two coffee shops, The Westy sports bar (with terrific food that is open late), Locol Barley & Vine (beer, wine, eclectic snacks and live music), and G&H Pasta and Pizza. 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.
Essentials
Fire
The Fire Station is half a block away. Firemen are all trained in emergency medical services (EMT) and have appropriate equipment.
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. Swedish Medical Center also has an excellent Emergency Room. Both are located in the First Hill neighborhood, about 20 minutes away.
Dental
If you have a dental emergency your hosts can provide referrals and options.
Pharmacies
Both Walgreens and CVS have multiple locations within a short drive. Other pharmacies are also available.
Eye Care
Directly behind the Guest House, across the alley, is the full-service Clearview Eye Clinic, complete with all types of emergency care capabilities.
What to See & Do In Seattle
General Entertainment
For a comprehensive listing of theater, arts, music and entertainment options refer to The Stranger event pages (the print version is also available in free boxes throughout downtown)
Warning: while the listings in the Stranger are valuable, the politics may offend some. It is -- shall we say -- decidedly liberal/radical...
Other websites that list activities in Seattle and the Puget Sound include:
http://www.seattlepi.com/visitorsguide/
https://www.seattle.gov/visiting-seattle
Museums
SAM - The Seattle Art Museum: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/
MOHAI - The Museum of History And Industry: https://mohai.org/
MOPOP - Museum of Pop Culture
Asian Art Museum: http://www.asianart.org/
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, enjoy a dinner cruise, etc. https://www.argosycruises.com/
There are also tours to see whales, kayak, explore Pike Place Market, and all sorts of other tours: https://www.viator.com/Seattle-tourism/d704-r6544791131-s110221211
Pike Place Market
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:
Theater, Music & Dance
Symphony: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/
Opera:
Jazz Alley Supper Club: https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/
Triple Door Supper Club: https://tickets.thetripledoor.net/ACT
Ballet: the Pacific Northwest Ballet
Stage: A Contemporary Theater (ACT): http://www.acttheatre.org/
West Seattle Community Center for Arts:
https://www.kenyonhall.org/events
West Seattle Playhouse: our local theater group -- http://www.artswest.org/
Seattle Center
Seattle Center offers a variety of things to see and do, including:
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The iconic Space Needle offers a killer view, a see-through platform floor, brunch, and a lounge with a "culinary and cocktail experience": https://www.spaceneedle.com/home/
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The Pacific Science Center has activities for young and old.
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Seattle's IMAX theater at Pacific Science Center is a great place to catch movies.
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The Chihuly Glass Garden and Museum is excellent!
Smith Tower
While the view from the Space Needle is amazing, we love the more old-world, intimate city view from the bar atop Smith Tower, once the tallest building in the West. https://www.smithtower.com/
Seattle Waterfront
Seattle's central waterfront features a lovely promenade with wide walking spaces, public art, shopping, recreational opportunities, the Ferris Wheel at Pier 57, the Seattle Aquarium, and access to Pike Place Market .
Things to do:
Botanical Gardens
Getting Around
By Bus
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.
For a special treat, get on the Metro 21 bus line, get off at Fauntleroy and Admiral, transfer to the Metro 773 bus line, which will bring you to the Water Taxi—the most scenic way to get downtown and avoid parking hassles (see "By Ferry" for details).
By Ferry
Washington State has the largest ferry system in the US and 4th largest in the world, covering the entire Puget Sound.
We are a short distance from the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal, which has car and passenger service to nearby Vashon Island and the Olympic Peninsula (via Southworth).
On Alki Point, you can also catch the Water Taxi -- a high-speed passenger ferry traveling between West Seattle and downtown with 5-star views across Elliott Bay (weather depending).
In downtown Seattle, you can catch ferries to Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Peninsula, as well as a high-speed ferry to Victoria, BC.
For more information see:
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)
Progressive City, Mountain Majesty, Islands and Agriculture
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, Wines, and Agriculture
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
Fruits and Flowers
If you're on the east side of the mountains, check out apples, cherries, hops and 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!