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 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...

Imagine a woman with a life as rich and varied as her real estate portfolio. Let’s call her Sarah. She had a lovely primary home in Seattle, a hip apartment in Berlin, a sunny condo in Mexico, and — her cherished escape — a modest but perfectly positioned beach cottage on Vashon Island. This Vashon cottage was her summer weekend sanctuary, a place where the ferry ride felt like shedding the weight of the world. Her Mexico condo already operated on an Airbnb model, a seamless way to offset expenses when she wasn’t enjoying the sunshine herself. So, when a Vashon short-term rental operator approached her about listing her island cottage, she thought, "Why not?" It was a familiar arrangement, and the extra income could certainly help. The first spring season on Vashon was largely hassle-free, with only a few minor bumps in the road. The added income was a welcome bonus. Then came summer. Sarah was enjoying a relaxed island picnic, soaking in the community vibe, when ...

As the crisp autumn air begins to settle over Vashon Island, anticipation brews for one of the island's most beloved annual events: the Vashon Island Cider Fest! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 4th, 2025, because this is a day you won't want to miss. Whether you're a seasoned cider aficionado or just looking for a fun family outing, Cider Fest offers something for everyone. This vibrant festival celebrates the rich tradition of cider making, a craft deeply rooted in American history and particularly thriving in the Pacific Northwest. Vashon Island, with its fertile land and abundance of apple and pear trees, is home to several talented cider producers, making it the perfect location for such a festive occasion. For the Grown-Ups: A Taste of Vashon's Best For those 21 and over, the Cider Fest features a dedicated adult cider section where you can sample a diverse array of handcrafted ciders from award-winning regional producers, includin...

​Stepping onto Vashon Island feels like a journey back in time, a deliberate slowing down of pace. As the ferry pulls away from the mainland, the distant hum of city life fades, replaced by the gentle lapping of waves and the cries of gulls. And nowhere is this sense of stepping into a different world more pronounced than in the island's unique and enduring symbol: the walk-in cabins. ​To understand the walk-in cabins, you have to understand Vashon's history. Before the network of paved roads we utilize today, Vashon was a collection of small communities, each centered around a ferry landing. This was the "Mosquito Fleet" era, a time when a swarm of small steamboats acted as the lifeblood of Puget Sound, connecting islanders and their goods to the mainland. These landings weren't just transit points; they were the heart of the community and their long abandoned piers can still be seen at various points around the island. ​It was around thes...

I recently found myself at an open house in a charming little beach community on Vashon Island. It was one of those quintessential 1970s island homes, hand-built by some forgotten artisan woodworker with hand-hewn logs. Back then, island property was a steal; today, a similar place goes for well over a million dollars. As the realtor cheerfully walked us through its charms, she dropped a tidbit that really stuck with me: the beach community was banding together to ban Airbnb. She said it with a smile, as if it were just another fantastic selling point, like central air conditioning or a new roof. But the truth of that statement is far more complex than a simple "amenity." On Vashon, Airbnb has become the poster child for the island's housing crisis. It's an easy target, a visible symptom that draws the ire of many residents struggling to find affordable long-term housing. Yet, beneath the surface, a much larger, more pervasive issue quietly persists: the s...

Vashon Island, Washington – a verdant treasure nestled in Puget Sound – offers a unique brand of island living. Beyond the classic main town and rolling farmlands lies a hidden world, one discovered only by those willing to leave their cars behind: the walk-in cabins. There’s a singular joy to these often-secluded havens that you won't find in your typical neighborhood. Imagine this: You park your car, sometimes along a dusty shoulder, sometimes in a small, designated lot. Then, you embark. The path might start innocently enough, a gravel lane leading deeper into the trees. But soon, it transforms. You might find yourself winding through what feels delightfully like someone’s expansive backyard, past blooming hydrangeas and towering firs. Or perhaps it’s a whimsical, cobbled pathway, hinting at stories untold and lives lived for generations. There’s a delicious sense of discovery, almost like you’re on a secret mission, as you navigate these charming, car-free arteries....

The ferry ride over to Vashon Island always feels like a mini-escape. The salt air, the glimpses of seals bobbing in the waves, the promise of a slower pace – it's intoxicating. So, when a charming little craftsman popped up for sale, I hopped on the boat, dreams of island living dancing in my head. The house itself was lovely: sun-drenched rooms, a sprawling garden begging for tending, and that quintessential Vashon tranquility. But it was my conversation with the realtor, a middle aged woman with a warm smile and an almost aggressively laid-back demeanor, that left me slightly…perplexed. "Is part of this house built on the public access?" I asked, gesturing to where the house corner seemed to seamlessly blend into the adjacent driveway. Her response, delivered with a breezy wave of her hand, was a bit patronizing. "Oh, honey, out here on Vashon, nobody really worries about property lines. Everyone's so friendly, it's all just one big community. ...

We hadn’t even heard of Vashon Island until an invitation arrived from an old college friend getting married there. They’d moved to the Seattle/Tacoma area for work after college, met a local, and decided to settle down. When it came time to tie the knot, they wanted a venue that showcased the area’s natural beauty while remaining accessible to their local family and friends. The Journey Begins Flying into SeaTac Airport, we paired up with two other college friends, rented a car, and headed toward Vashon. We’d heard the island was rural enough to require a car for exploring, so splitting costs for a rental and cabin made perfect sense. Not far from the airport, we found ourselves driving onto a Washington State Ferry. The breathtaking views of Puget Sound confirmed that our friends had chosen an enchanting spot to tie the knot. Once on the island, we headed straight to our Airbnb. It was as cozy and charming as the photos promised, providing the perfect space to comfortably...