Gig Harbor

Gig Harbor is a town on the Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound region of Washington state.

Gig Harbor, the southern gateway to the Kitsap Peninsula and the Olympic Peninsula, lies just across the dramatic Tacoma Narrows Bridge from Tacoma. This tucked-away town sits on a scenic inlet framing a postcard-perfect view of Mount Rainier. Gig Harbor's strong Scandinavian and Croatian heritage has always influenced its nautical lifestyle and fishing-village character. Today specialty shops, creative boutiques, art galleries and waterfront restaurants add to its appeal and make it a wonderful get-away.

Besides Gig Harbors maritime town center around the harbor, there are many things to see in the nearby area.

• 360 Trails, 10905 144th St NW. As you may have guessed, this is a 360-acre wooded county park near Purdy. A popular loop trail leads around the perimeter with smaller trails crossing through the center. It is popular with mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians.
• Harbor History Museum, 4121 Harborview Dr, +1 253 858-6722. Experience the history of the Gig Harbor Peninsula including its maritime industries and even a well preserved school house.
• Gig Harbor Lighthouse. At only 15 ft tall, this is certainly one of the smaller lighthouses in the region but nonetheless plays an important roll marking the opening to Gig Harbor. Directions: from Highway 16, exit onto Pioneer Way. When the road tees, turn right on Harborview Drive and continue to its end where you will find a small park from which you can view the lighthouse.
• Joemma Beach State Park. On the Key Peninsula near Gig Harbor, it's a 122-acre marine camping park with 3,000 feet of saltwater frontage on southeast Kitsap Peninsula. Aside from the natural beauty of park and surroundings, the area is an excellent place for fishing, boating and crabbing. Provides a boat launch and water trail campsites.
• Kopachuck State Park, 10712 56th St. NW. A 109-acre marine park with 5,600 feet of saltwater shoreline on Henderson Bay. One portion of the park, Cutts Island (or "Deadman's Island") is a half mile from shore and reachable only by boat.

360 Trails, 10905 144th St NW. As you may have guessed, this is a 360-acre wooded county park near Purdy. A popular loop trail leads around the perimeter with smaller trails crossing through the center. It is popular with mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians.

Harbor History Museum, 4121 Harborview Dr, +1 253 858-6722. Experience the history of the Gig Harbor Peninsula including its maritime industries and even a well preserved school house.

Gig Harbor Lighthouse. At only 15 ft tall, this is certainly one of the smaller lighthouses in the region but nonetheless plays an important roll marking the opening to Gig Harbor. Directions: from Highway 16, exit onto Pioneer Way. When the road tees, turn right on Harborview Drive and continue to its end where you will find a small park from which you can view the lighthouse.

Joemma Beach State Park. On the Key Peninsula near Gig Harbor, it's a 122-acre marine camping park with 3,000 feet of saltwater frontage on southeast Kitsap Peninsula. Aside from the natural beauty of park and surroundings, the area is an excellent place for fishing, boating and crabbing. Provides a boat launch and water trail campsites.

Kopachuck State Park, 10712 56th St. NW. A 109-acre marine park with 5,600 feet of saltwater shoreline on Henderson Bay. One portion of the park, Cutts Island (or "Deadman's Island") is a half mile from shore and reachable only by boat.

• Gig Harbor Rent a Boat, 8829 N. Harborview Dr, +1 253-858-7341. Rent a kayak, canoe, pedal boat or a power boat to explore the harbor and beyond.

Gig Harbor Rent a Boat, 8829 N. Harborview Dr, +1 253-858-7341. Rent a kayak, canoe, pedal boat or a power boat to explore the harbor and beyond.

• Horsehead Bay Public Boat Ramp.

Horsehead Bay Public Boat Ramp.

• Destiny Harbor Tours, 4430 Holly Ln. NW, +1 253 225-6306. Harbor tours, sightseeing, charters and eco tours of Tacoma Narrows Bridges, Gig Harbor, Salmon Beach, Point Defiance, Thea Foss Waterway and the Port of Tacoma

Destiny Harbor Tours, 4430 Holly Ln. NW, +1 253 225-6306. Harbor tours, sightseeing, charters and eco tours of Tacoma Narrows Bridges, Gig Harbor, Salmon Beach, Point Defiance, Thea Foss Waterway and the Port of Tacoma

Sea kayaking can be a rewarding way to explore Gig Harbor and the Kitsap Peninsulas nearly 400 miles of coastline allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings and making Kitsap one of the most popular areas to kayak in Puget Sound. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline. Or just explore Kitsaps many harbor towns like Gig Harbor that cater to kayakers with shops and restaurants accessible from the water such as the Tides Tavern. With kayak rentals available nearby Gig Harbor is a popular place to spend a few hours exploring or set off or restock on a major expedition.

Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate lengths and scenic travel destinations.

• Cascadia Marine Trail. This inland sea trail is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites to visit including several close to Gig Harbor such as The Narrows Park which is a safe haven at the midpoint of the Tacoma Narrows. At night it's great to watch the vehicle lights on the Narrows Bridges from the serenity of the park. The white dome of Mt. Rainier is visible over Tacoma, especially on moonlit evenings.
• Key Peninsula Marine Trail. A 40-mile Peninsular Marine Trail near Gig Harbor with 14 legs between 15 points of interest during a paddling journey around the Key Peninsula

Cascadia Marine Trail. This inland sea trail is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites to visit including several close to Gig Harbor such as The Narrows Park which is a safe haven at the midpoint of the Tacoma Narrows. At night it's great to watch the vehicle lights on the Narrows Bridges from the serenity of the park. The white dome of Mt. Rainier is visible over Tacoma, especially on moonlit evenings.

Key Peninsula Marine Trail. A 40-mile Peninsular Marine Trail near Gig Harbor with 14 legs between 15 points of interest during a paddling journey around the Key Peninsula

Scuba diving the cold waters of Puget Sound takes a bit more gear and training than other warm water locations, but the rewards are incredible. The area contains some of the best diving in the world and many areas are accessible from the Kitsap Peninsula. Many dive sites are completely covered with colorful sea creatures that defy description. Giant Pacific Octopus are common, along with friendly wolf eels. Colorful sponges, sea cucumbers, sea stars, soft corals, anemones and fish can be seen on nearly every dive. The state has offers a guide to parks with launch sites.

• Colvos Passage Marine Preserve Area, 10015 Sunrise Beach Drive Northwest (accessible from Sunrise Beach Park. This protected marine area is considered one of the best shore accessible diving areas in Puget Sound. Known for its many friendly Wolf Eels and its 25-foot-high rugged rock wall that runs along the shoreline for about 200 feet. There are also sightings of Giant Pacific Octopus, Ratfish, Copper, Brown, and Quillback Rockfish, Lingcod, Greenlings, many varieties of sculpins, Green Sea Urchins, scallops, Rock Sole, Starry Flounder, countless sea stars, warbonnets, gunnels, and different varieties of nudibranchs.
• Well-known to regional scuba divers, Z's Reef Marine Preserve is a designated conservation area on the shores of Fox Island just south of Gig Harbor. A variety of fishes typically associated with rocky habitats congregate at the site and in such quantities that are unusual for southern Puget Sound. The dominant fishes include copper rockfish, brown rockfish, and quillback rockfish. Other common fishes include lingcod, kelp greenling, painted greenling, wolfeel, and striped seaperch. Pregnant rockfishes are observed at the site during the spring indicating that at least some fishes use the site for reproduction. Other marine organisms include sea stars, encrusting organisms such as giant barnacles, red sea cucumbers, shrimp, and red rock crabs. Seastars are common including sunflower seastar and gumboot chitons are also frequently observed.

Colvos Passage Marine Preserve Area, 10015 Sunrise Beach Drive Northwest (accessible from Sunrise Beach Park. This protected marine area is considered one of the best shore accessible diving areas in Puget Sound. Known for its many friendly Wolf Eels and its 25-foot-high rugged rock wall that runs along the shoreline for about 200 feet. There are also sightings of Giant Pacific Octopus, Ratfish, Copper, Brown, and Quillback Rockfish, Lingcod, Greenlings, many varieties of sculpins, Green Sea Urchins, scallops, Rock Sole, Starry Flounder, countless sea stars, warbonnets, gunnels, and different varieties of nudibranchs.

Well-known to regional scuba divers, Z's Reef Marine Preserve is a designated conservation area on the shores of Fox Island just south of Gig Harbor. A variety of fishes typically associated with rocky habitats congregate at the site and in such quantities that are unusual for southern Puget Sound. The dominant fishes include copper rockfish, brown rockfish, and quillback rockfish. Other common fishes include lingcod, kelp greenling, painted greenling, wolfeel, and striped seaperch. Pregnant rockfishes are observed at the site during the spring indicating that at least some fishes use the site for reproduction. Other marine organisms include sea stars, encrusting organisms such as giant barnacles, red sea cucumbers, shrimp, and red rock crabs. Seastars are common including sunflower seastar and gumboot chitons are also frequently observed.

Shellfish are prized resources of the Puget Sound, the cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. Washington State is the nation’s leading producer of farmed bivalve shellfish (clams, geoduck, mussels and oysters) and with Kitsap Peninisulas dozens of Public Clam and Oyster Beaches and miles of coastline it is a popular place for individuals to find these elusive and sought after shellfish. Maps of public shellfishing areas and health warnings and updates can be found online at the state's Fish and Wildlife website as with all fishing in Puget Sound permits are required and can be purchased online or in some sporting goods stores.

• Sunrise Beach Park, 10015 Sunrise Beach Drive Northwest. Open year-round for clam and oyster fishing. Colvos Passage Marine Preserve lies south of the County Park. Marine preserve restrictions do not apply within Sunrise Beach County Park.

Sunrise Beach Park, 10015 Sunrise Beach Drive Northwest. Open year-round for clam and oyster fishing. Colvos Passage Marine Preserve lies south of the County Park. Marine preserve restrictions do not apply within Sunrise Beach County Park.

Gig Harbor has many locally owned and operated shops in its downtown area, ranging from dress shops to music stores and jewelry studios. There are quite a few art galleries and other stores that sell art of various types.

• Gig Harbor Farmers Market, Uptown location: 4701 Pt. Fosdick Drive F 1-5PM; Downtown: Skansie Brothers Park 3207 Harborview Drive, W & Su noon - 5PM. mid April thru mid Oct. Fresh flowers, produce, plants, baked goods, food, handmade crafts, expert advice from master gardeners, a kids' tent, free guitar lessons, live entertainment.
• No Dearth of Books, 7803 Pioneer Way (behind the Nazarene Church, +1 253-853-3355. One of three bookstores in downtown Gig Harbor, No Dearth of Books specializes in unique local interest books: maritime fiction & travel accounts, boating know-how, military, naval & aviation history, and the Pacific Northwest. The store also stocks a wide range of other genres, from classics to recent bestsellers.

Gig Harbor Farmers Market, Uptown location: 4701 Pt. Fosdick Drive F 1-5PM; Downtown: Skansie Brothers Park 3207 Harborview Drive, W & Su noon - 5PM. mid April thru mid Oct. Fresh flowers, produce, plants, baked goods, food, handmade crafts, expert advice from master gardeners, a kids' tent, free guitar lessons, live entertainment.

No Dearth of Books, 7803 Pioneer Way (behind the Nazarene Church, +1 253-853-3355. One of three bookstores in downtown Gig Harbor, No Dearth of Books specializes in unique local interest books: maritime fiction & travel accounts, boating know-how, military, naval & aviation history, and the Pacific Northwest. The store also stocks a wide range of other genres, from classics to recent bestsellers.

• The Tides Tavern. This Gig Harbor restaurant has been a local institution for many years. The smoke-free, 21 & over (it's a bar in the Washington State Liquor Control Board's eyes) environment is set on pilings over the harbor and is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine or beer, a tasty meal from an extensive menu. Perfect for kicking back, while looking the Sound wildlife, boat traffic, and locals coming in and out of The Tides.
• Anthony's Restaurant. Part of a chain of Northwest-centric restaurants in the Puget Sound area and Gig Harbor's is one of the jewels in the chain's crown. Fairly upscale seafood fare shares the menu with traditional beef, chicken, and salad items. The restaurant's location is fantastic. at the head of the harbor with a drop-dead gorgeous view of the marinas, the homes clinging to the sides of the hill, and Mount Rainier. A bar downstairs features happy hour 1/2 price appetizer options and the same spectacular view.
• Dexter's Drive-In, 6701 Tyee Dr NW, +1 253 851-4552. Classic hamburger and fries type drive-in.
• Brix 25°. A fairly new dining establishment in the Harbor, but has quickly become one of the favorites. While this eatery doesn't have a view of any sort or even a very nice structure to call home, the menu and presentation is fantastic. Meals are exquisitely prepared and feature daily specials. The fare is primarily continental with a Northwest twist. Expect halibut, salmon, some shellfish, along with a filet mignon, or a duck breast on the menu most nights. Their wine selection is impressive and has won several awards, including the 2008 Washington Wine Restaurant of the Year.
• Water to Wine, 9014 Peacock Hill Ave, Suite 103 (at the corner of Harborview Dr and Peacock Hill Ave, +1 253-853-9463. Tu-F 11AM - 7PM; Sa 11AM-6PM; Su noon-4PM. Gig Harbor’s pre-eminent wine shop, with the largest–and most diverse–selection of wines in the South Sound area. Our knowledgeable staff delights in finding the perfect wines for your every occasion.

The Tides Tavern. This Gig Harbor restaurant has been a local institution for many years. The smoke-free, 21 & over (it's a bar in the Washington State Liquor Control Board's eyes) environment is set on pilings over the harbor and is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine or beer, a tasty meal from an extensive menu. Perfect for kicking back, while looking the Sound wildlife, boat traffic, and locals coming in and out of The Tides.

Anthony's Restaurant. Part of a chain of Northwest-centric restaurants in the Puget Sound area and Gig Harbor's is one of the jewels in the chain's crown. Fairly upscale seafood fare shares the menu with traditional beef, chicken, and salad items. The restaurant's location is fantastic. at the head of the harbor with a drop-dead gorgeous view of the marinas, the homes clinging to the sides of the hill, and Mount Rainier. A bar downstairs features happy hour 1/2 price appetizer options and the same spectacular view.

Dexter's Drive-In, 6701 Tyee Dr NW, +1 253 851-4552. Classic hamburger and fries type drive-in.

Brix 25°. A fairly new dining establishment in the Harbor, but has quickly become one of the favorites. While this eatery doesn't have a view of any sort or even a very nice structure to call home, the menu and presentation is fantastic. Meals are exquisitely prepared and feature daily specials. The fare is primarily continental with a Northwest twist. Expect halibut, salmon, some shellfish, along with a filet mignon, or a duck breast on the menu most nights. Their wine selection is impressive and has won several awards, including the 2008 Washington Wine Restaurant of the Year.

Water to Wine, 9014 Peacock Hill Ave, Suite 103 (at the corner of Harborview Dr and Peacock Hill Ave, +1 253-853-9463. Tu-F 11AM - 7PM; Sa 11AM-6PM; Su noon-4PM. Gig Harbor’s pre-eminent wine shop, with the largest–and most diverse–selection of wines in the South Sound area. Our knowledgeable staff delights in finding the perfect wines for your every occasion.

• Floatation Device Pub & Grill, 14511 Sherman Dr NW, +1 253 857-3897. This popular maritime themed pub is close to the water and has good food options.
• Heritage Distilling Company, 3207 57th St Ct Nw, +1 253 509-0008. The Pacific Northwest's premier Destination Distillery. Free samples of custom made spirits - whiskey, gin and vodka. Plus, the first and only Craft Distillery in the US to offer patent-pending programs for customers to legally make their own distilled spirits and/or have them custom aged to individual specifications.

Floatation Device Pub & Grill, 14511 Sherman Dr NW, +1 253 857-3897. This popular maritime themed pub is close to the water and has good food options.

Heritage Distilling Company, 3207 57th St Ct Nw, +1 253 509-0008. The Pacific Northwest's premier Destination Distillery. Free samples of custom made spirits - whiskey, gin and vodka. Plus, the first and only Craft Distillery in the US to offer patent-pending programs for customers to legally make their own distilled spirits and/or have them custom aged to individual specifications.

Tacoma lies to the south across the Tacoma Narrows Toll Bridge and Olalla and Port Orchard lie to the north.

Gig Harbor is 6.8 nautical miles to Cedrona Cove on Fox Island. It is also a launch to visit Eagle Island on Balch Passage north of Anderson Island which is 12.5 nautical miles. Penrose Point State Park is 13.8 nautical miles due south after passing underneath the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle 24 nautical miles away.