A Sunny Summer Day Trip to Vashon Island and Tacoma in Washington State, USA

Brooke
Sep 16
6 min read

View of a serene blue Puget Sound with lush green trees in the foreground and distant hills. Text reads "Twenty Minutes in Burma." Calm atmosphere. View from Maury Island Marine Park viewpoint towards Tacoma, Washington.

As I'm writing this, I'm sitting in my living room on a relatively sunny spring day in Seattle. It's a bit chilly, and while I can see some blue skies peeking through the clouds, the promise of these beautiful summer days the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is luring me in with possibilities.

One such possibility is the small adventure my mom, Ben and I took last summer to Vashon Island, a small island in the middle of Puget Sound that is known for its quiet and tranquility. While the island is inhabited and has a small town, it's a nice break from the hustle and bustle that is more what a city like Seattle is known for.

One of the perks to living in a city like Seattle, though, is the easy access to these quieter islands right off the city's shores. And that's what we planned to do - take a day trip to this island, a new place for all three of us, to see what it held in store, and to hopefully plan more sunny adventurous returns some day in the not-so-distant future.

Calm blue sea with a seagull floating in the foreground, boats near a forested shoreline under a clear blue sky. Peaceful and serene. Puget Sound near Lincoln Park in West Seattle at the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal.

First things first. Unless you're blessed with your own boat, then you'll need to reach Vashon the same way the rest of us do - by ferry. Washington State ferries happen to have the largest ferry operation in the whole United States, and it's a great and relatively cheap way to see all that the Puget Sound region has to offer.

Fauntleroy Ferry terminal in West Seattle.

And the best way to reach Vashon Island from Seattle is to head to the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal located in West Seattle. To find the best sailing schedule for your adventure, be sure to check out the Washington State Ferry schedule here.

You could choose to be a walk-on passenger for this adventure, which is a cheaper option. But we opted to take our car, in order to see more of the island at our own pace.

Boat anchored on calm water with houses and trees lining the distant shore under a blue sky with scattered clouds. West Seattle.

Since it was a beautiful summer day, we knew that the ferry could get full, so we opted to get to the terminal early, which would make us one of the first cars to board. This also gave us plenty of time to admire the surroundings around the terminal, looking over West Seattle's beaches, including Lincoln Park, as seen below.

Calm beach scene with people walking along a tree-lined shore. The sky is blue, water reflects clouds, and distant hills are visible. Lincoln Park, West Seattle

Our wait also included some wildlife spotting, including this osprey keeping an eye out for its next meal.

Osprey perched on a metal pole against a clear blue sky. The bird is resting atop the pole’s spikes, creating a serene, natural scene.

A group of ducks swims in a serene blue lake with a wooded island in the background under a cloudy sky. Puget Sound near West Seattle, Washington.

Finally, it was time to board the ferry. Even though the crossing is short (less than half an hour), I always enjoy spending my time outside on the boat, taking in the lovely water views.

People on a ferry deck enjoy the scenic view of calm waters and distant land under a clear sky. Cars are parked below. Safety signs visible. Fauntleroy to Vashon Island Ferry out of West Seattle Washington.

Calm sea under a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds. Distant dark landmasses are visible on the horizon, creating a serene atmosphere. Puget Sound, Washington.

Calm shoreline with people on the beach, trees, and distant houses under a blue sky with clouds. Tranquil and scenic view. Colman Pool in Lincoln Park, West Seattle at the end of the shores end.

We began our sail, leaving West Seattle behind (above, see the Colman Pool, a really great place to cool off in the summer heat).

Boat bow on calm blue water, under a clear sky with scattered clouds. Distant tree-lined shore of Vashon Island visible, creating a serene mood. Fauntleroy Ferry to Vashon Island, Seattle Washington.

Calm water scene of the Puget Sound with two distant ferries near a tree-covered island under a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds. Peaceful and serene atmosphere. Vashon Island as seen from the Fauntleroy Ferry out of West Seattle.

People stand on a ferry deck, gazing at the calm blue water under a bright sky with fluffy clouds. Signs are visible on the ferry. Fauntleroy Ferry from West Seattle to Vashon Island.

Before long, it was time to arrive on Vashon.

Once on the island, we drove straight up to the island's main community, conveniently named Vashon. There we took some time to walk around and gaze into the shops before settling down for a bite to eat.

Blue building with "VASHON STRONG" text, white garage doors, star symbol. Clear sky and trees in the background create a vibrant scene. Vashon Island, Washington

Street view with parked cars, shops, and people walking on the sidewalk. "End of Summer Sale" sign and clothes displayed outside. Bright day. Vashon Highway, Vashon Island, Washington

Blue car at intersection, next to a building covered in green ivy. Bright sky with clouds, street lined with trees and parked cars. Vashon Island, Washington.

Historical landmark building with a sign: "Today's Special... So Is Tomorrow." Blue sky, neon "OPEN" in window, flowers below. The first commercial building in Vashon Island, Washington.

Blue SUV parked in front of "The Hardware Store" with a sign reading "Today's Special...So Is Tomorrow." Clear blue sky and street view. Vashon Island, Washington.

People wait outside a red-roofed diner with a "burgers, treats" sign. Blue sky, cars, and trees line the street. Relaxed mood. iQ, Island Queen, Vashon Island, Washington.

My mom is always up for a burger, and we found a place, Island Queen, that offered a gluten free bun. (Clearly this used to be the home of a famous ice cream chain with "Queen" in its name).

Retro diner with colorful booths and tables. People stand at the counter under a "Queen" sign. A man sits in the background. Warm, nostalgic vibe. Island Queen, Vashon Island, Washington.

The interior had a really fun design and retro vibe. I opted for the Green Chili Burger, which was very tasty.

Diner interior with two people working behind the counter. Menus above list burgers, salads, and more. White tile background creates a classic vibe. Island Queen, Vashon Island, Washington

Diner scene with people ordering at a counter and seated in booths. Bright colors, a sign reading "Queen," and a mural outside. Casual mood. Island Queen, Vashon Island, Washington.

After enjoying a bite to eat, it was time to do more exploring. A somewhat famous Vashon Island landmark is the bike that has been in the process of being swallowed by a tree. You can read a little about it here.

Close-up of tree trunk in forest with two rusted metal bands embedded. Lush green foliage surrounds, creating a serene woodland scene. Bicycle in the tree in Vashon Island, Washington.

Rusty metal tools embedded in a tree trunk surrounded by lush green forest, highlighting the passage of time and nature reclaiming objects. Bicycle in the tree in Vashon Island, Washington.

I wouldn't say my mom or Ben were very impressed by this landmark, but it's not too hard to find (if you know where you're looking) and worth a quick stop to take a peek. It's not like you see this type of thing everyday, anyway...

For our next stop, we figured we'd spend some time relaxing at a beach. The Puget Sound may not be the first place you think of when you imagine beach vacations, but there are some pleasant enough sandy spots along the vast shorelines of the region.

Tall radio tower stands on a coastal path under a clear blue sky, with a distant figure walking. Text reads "Twenty Minutes in Burma." View from KVI Beach, Vashon Island, Washington state, USA

One such place is KVI Beach, with its estuaries that are ideal for bird watching as well as some walking trails. The beach was named after the KVI radio station bought the land and erected their tower, as seen above, on the location.

People walking along a sandy beach under a clear blue sky. Some are near the water with a dog swimming. Calm, sunny day with distant hills. KVI Beach on Vashon Island, Washington.

It's a nice calm beach, ideal for swimming or just relaxing and reading a book in a beach chair.

A wide beach under a clear blue sky, a tall radio tower and two people walking in the distance. Logs and grasses dot the sandy landscape. KVI Beach Vashon Island Washington

Serene landscape with a winding water stream, green grass, and a blue sky. Trees line the left side, evoking a peaceful, natural vibe. KVI Beach Vashon Island Washington

Sandy beach with driftwood, people in distance near water, forested hills under clear blue sky, reflecting water pools create a serene scene. KVI Beach Vashon Island Washington

People sitting on a beach by a calm blue lake under a clear sky. Driftwood and greenery surround them, creating a peaceful scene. KVI Beach, Vashon Island, Washington

After spending some time at the beach, we drove to our next spot, the overlook to Maury Island Marine Park. There appears to be trails down to the waterfront, but for our purposes, we decided to spend some time just admiring the views from the cliffs above to the sound below.

There happens to be a convenient viewing platform with some information about the park, though no official parking lot here. (There was a parking lot prior to this location that I assume is where you would go if you were taking the trail down to the shoreline). Instead, you can find a spot to park along the side of the road.

Interpretive sign at Maury Island Marine Park with text and drawings, overlooking the water. Graffiti and shadows cover parts. Sunny day. Vashon Island, Washington

After having spent our time taking in the views, it was time to head over to Tacoma before a dinner reservation later in the evening.

Instead of returning to the ferry terminal at the north of the island, we opted to take the ferry between the southern part of Vashon at the Tahlequah Ferry terminal over to Point Defiance at the top of Tacoma.

Street view with trees and a sign for Tahlequah Ferry Terminal. Yellow pedestrian and green service disruption signs, under a clear blue sky. Vashon Island, Washington

This route only has one ship, and departs every half an hour, meaning the ride is only about 10 minutes across. It's not a particularly busy crossing, but we got there and had time, once again, to take in the surrounding views.

Sunny view of a curved road leading to a ferry dock over calm water. Wooden railings and distant trees under a clear blue sky. Tahlequah Ferry Terminal to Point Defiance, Vashon Island, Washington

Tranquil beach scene with calm water, pebble shore, and lush green forest. A house sits by the trees under a clear blue sky. Vashon Island, Washington

Tacoma off in the distance.

Two boats float on a calm blue sea with a distant cityscape. White clouds dot the sky, creating a peaceful, serene scene. Tacoma, Washington in the background. Seen from Vashon Island.

Curved road with a blue car and traffic cones, bordered by lush green trees under a clear blue sky. A peaceful, sunny day. Tahlequah Ferry Terminal, Vashon Island, Washington

Once aboard the ship, we said our goodbyes (for now) to Vashon.

Ocean view with a ferry dock, turquoise water, and a backdrop of forested hills and houses. Clear blue sky creates a serene mood. Leaving Tahlequah Ferry Terminal in Vashon Island on the way to Point Defiance in Tacoma, Washington

People stand on a ferry deck labeled "Chetzemoka," with a clear blue sky and distant shoreline in the background. On the ferry from Vashon Island to Point Defiance in Tacoma, Washington.

People on a ferry deck enjoying a clear day, overlooking blue water and distant shoreline. The atmosphere is calm and scenic. Ferry from Vashon Island to Point Defiance in Tacoma, Washington.

Calm blue sea with distant shoreline under a clear sky. Foreground shows a metal deck with a safety net, creating a peaceful scene. Ferry to Point Defiance, Tacoma, Washington from Vashon Island.

Two people in reflective vests stand on a ferry, facing a dock with trees and clear sky in the background. Visible text: WSF. Ferry arriving in Point Defiance, Tacoma, Washington from Vashon Island.

Once you arrive at the Point Defiance Ferry Terminal, you are located right outside of Point Defiance Park. This really beautiful park includes gardens, beaches, trails, a zoo, a marina and so much more. We enjoy visiting its various gardens when we're in Tacoma. Though they are not as spectacular as some of the others around the Pacific Northwest, they are still charming and worth a visit. Definitely add in some time to investigate this park if you take a similar day trip to Vashon and/or Tacoma.

Point Defiance Park has a very lovely rose garden (though if you're touring the PNW during the summer months, be sure to visit the rose garden in Portland, Oregon).

Pink and peach roses bloom in a garden with green foliage. A road and parked cars are visible in the background under a clear blue sky. Point Defiance Rose Garden

But in late summer, they also have a garden full of dahlias, one of my favorite flowers due to their interesting shapes, colors, and sizes. Who can resist a Café au Lait dinner plate dahlia?

Colorful flower garden with a sign, surrounded by tall trees and a clear sky. Cars are parked in the background. Peaceful setting. Point Defiance Dahlia Garden in Tacoma, Washington

Pink dahlias bloom vibrantly in sunlight, surrounded by green leaves. Budding flowers add depth. The scene is lush and serene.

Purple-pink dahlia in focus with white-tipped petals and a yellow center, surrounded by green leaves and unopened buds, set in a garden.

Close-up of a dahlia flower with pink petals speckled with red, set against a blurred green foliage background.

Close-up of a dahlia with soft pink and yellow petals, radiating outward in a spiral pattern against a dark green background.

There are a variety of other gardens nearby, so it's worth a wander.

Pathway in a lush garden with white and pink flowers, surrounded by tall green trees. Sunlight filters through, creating a serene atmosphere. Garden in Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, Washington

Lush garden with vibrant red and white roses, trees in the background, and a wooden pavilion. Clear blue sky and serene atmosphere. Rose garden in Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, Washington.

After we had spent some time enjoying the beautiful blooms, it was time to head towards our final stop on the day trip, Woven Seafood and Chophouse by Roy Yamaguchi. For those who have been to Hawai‘i, you've likely seen, if not eaten, at a Roy's restaurant. Roy is a founding member of the Hawaiian cuisine movement, and he has some very, very tasty dishes. We have enjoyed seeing how he translates his Hawaiian cuisine into a Pacific Northwest space during our previous visits to Woven.

A woman exits a gray building with "WOVEN Seafood & Steakhouse" text. Clear sky and greenery surround the modern structure. Tacoma, Washington.

The restaurant is located along the shores of Commencement Bay, part of the Puget Sound, and has incredible waterfront views, especially from the lanai. We were fortunate to have the best seats on this evening with such a beautiful sunset.

As you can see from the menu below, there is a lot of Hawaii and Pacific Rim influences, while also still honoring its home in the Pacific Northwest.

Woven menu by Roy Yamaguchi in Tacoma, Washington.

Two cocktails, a brown one with ice and garnish and a pink one with a straw, on a wooden table by a waterfront at sunset. At Woven, on Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.

Grilled ribs topped with green onions, sesame seeds, and crispy bits next to pickled carrots and daikon in a gray bowl on a wooden table. At Woven, Tacoma, Washington.

The two dishes shown here, the Pho-Inspired Baby Back Ribs (above) and Adobo Glazed Pork Belly Ssam (below) were amazing. And no matter what you do, be sure to leave room for the chocolate soufflé at the end, whether you're in the PNW, Hawai‘i, or anywhere there's a Roy's restaurant (and bonus - it's gluten free!).

Grilled meat on lettuce with dipping sauce, surrounded by julienned veggies. Glasses of water and red drink on a table by a serene seascape. Dinner at Woven in Tacoma along the Puget Sound, Washington.

With such awesome food, amazing views, and beautiful locations, our day trip to Vashon Island and Tacoma ended on a truly delicious note. We look forward to future visits on a warm, summers day sometime soon.

Day Trip To Vashon Island and Tacoma Details

Vashon Island is an easy day trip from Seattle via the Washington State Ferry system. Those who don't have a car could cycle around the island, though it would be ambitious for those on foot.

Note that the ferry has different sailing schedules for the summer than they do for winter, and prices are based by whether you are bringing a car, going on foot or by bike. There are also senior discounts available.

There is more to see and do on the island than we had time for, and used this first trip more as a reconnaissance mission to take more informed future trips. Until then!

Day of travel: August 25, 2024

Japan

Japan

Twenty Minutes in

Burma

A Sunny Summer Day Trip to Vashon Island and Tacoma in Washington State, USA

Day Trip To Vashon Island and Tacoma Details

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