Visit Vashon

Vashon Island is famous for its tranquility and natural beauty, but few of its hidden corners hold as much history and charm as Klahanie Beach . Once a bustling waterfront resort destination, it is now a quiet, private neighborhood that offers residents and lucky visitors some of the most spectacular views the Puget Sound has to offer. ​🕰️ From Klepo Beach to Klahanie: A Glimpse Back in Time ​Before it was the serene stretch of waterfront it is today, this area was known as Keplo Beach . Its destiny changed when it transformed into a popular resort destination in the early to mid-1900s. ​Imagine the scene: visitors from the bustling cities of Seattle and Tacoma would board ferries, eager to escape the urban grind. Their destination? This very beach, where they would spend time in nature , enjoying the fresh air and stunning marine environment. It was a classic Pacific Northwest getaway. ​The name "Klahanie" itself has a connection to this history of leisure ...

​Vashon Island is home to many unique communities, but few are as captivating—or as private—as Spring Beach . Unlike many of the neighborhoods we've explored, Spring Beach is on a private road, making it largely inaccessible to the general public today. To truly understand its charm, you have to look back at its fascinating origins as a bustling vacation resort. ​A Destination Only Reachable by Steamer ​Imagine a time when the only way to reach this spot was by water. Spring Beach was initially developed as a summer vacation destination. Its centerpiece was the magnificent Miramar Lodge , a grand log structure built in 1905. Though it’s a private home now, this building once served as the resort's dining hall, general store, and even the local post office for this planned getaway. ​Back then, the only visitors making the trek were arriving on the wooden steamer Tourist , which would leave from Point Defiance. In the height of the summer s...

​Nestled on the quiet, southern tip of Maury Island , a dense forest gives way to the charming, sometimes secretive, community of Manzanita Beach . This neighborhood is a fascinating blend of history, quirky beachside living, and a tug-of-war over public access—a true Vashon Island treasure, if you can find it. ​A Past Shaped by Yachts and Sanctuary ​Manzanita’s origins are surprisingly grand for such a remote spot. It was originally developed in the early 20th century by the Tacoma Yacht Club as a dedicated destination for its members. This history is why, even today, if you look at a King County parcel map, you'll see a spiderweb of small public access points and strips of land that hint at a planned, open waterfront resort area. ​But Manzanita’s most profound historical connection is much more somber. The area provided sanctuary for Chinese laborers fleeing the violent anti-Chinese riots in Tacoma in 1885 . Its extreme isolation—at the dead end of a ...

​ Nestled on the picturesque northern tip of Vashon Island lies Dolphin Point, a neighborhood that encapsulates the unique blend of rustic beauty and tight-knit community spirit that defines Vashon island living.  This neighborhoods is conveniently close to the ferry terminal but features tall trees and forested trails, and the type of tight knit community one might expect from a rural community. ​A Community with Literary Roots and Unbeatable Views ​Dolphin Point boasts some of the island's most stunning vistas, offering expansive views of Puget Sound, Seattle and Mountains, and the bustling marine traffic heading to and from. It’s a place where bald eagles soar, seals play in the currents, and — as its name suggests — dolphins sometimes make an appearance, arcing gracefully through the waves. ​Beyond its natural beauty, Dolphin Point has a charming claim to fame: it was once home to beloved author Betty MacDonald . Famous for her delightful children...