Urban Oasis Guidebook

Kelley
Urban Oasis Guidebook

Sightseeing

Here are some of my favorite spots in the Seattle area.
This is a fun place to take a walk and has some of the bests views in the city.
865 locals recommend
Alki Beach
865 locals recommend
This is a fun place to take a walk and has some of the bests views in the city.
This is the must-see market in Seattle with the flying fish! Keep in mind that cruise ships stopping in Seattle during the summer often send guests to the market so you might want to avoid summer week ends if you don't like crowds.
2311 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western Ave
2311 locals recommend
This is the must-see market in Seattle with the flying fish! Keep in mind that cruise ships stopping in Seattle during the summer often send guests to the market so you might want to avoid summer week ends if you don't like crowds.
This is a great park in West Seattle with incredible views of the Olympics on a clear day. During the summer you can enjoy the Olympic-sized pool. Lincoln Park is also home to our new West Seattle Troll resident! Bruun Idun is designed by Danish artist Thomas Dambo who is making six trolls from recycled materials and installing around the Northwest.
389 locals recommend
Lincoln Park
801 S 37th St
389 locals recommend
This is a great park in West Seattle with incredible views of the Olympics on a clear day. During the summer you can enjoy the Olympic-sized pool. Lincoln Park is also home to our new West Seattle Troll resident! Bruun Idun is designed by Danish artist Thomas Dambo who is making six trolls from recycled materials and installing around the Northwest.
This formerly private Japanese garden has been preserved as a park. It is especially beautiful in the spring when the trees are blooming.
202 locals recommend
Kubota Garden
9817 55th Ave S
202 locals recommend
This formerly private Japanese garden has been preserved as a park. It is especially beautiful in the spring when the trees are blooming.
This is a great place to take a walk in Seattle. It's right along Elliot Bay and has some amazing statues to see.
653 locals recommend
Olympic Sculpture Park
2901 Western Ave
653 locals recommend
This is a great place to take a walk in Seattle. It's right along Elliot Bay and has some amazing statues to see.
This is a really fun way to see the city! They have shorter sails and a 2.5 hour sunset sail.
13 locals recommend
Let's Go Sailing
1201 Alaskan Way
13 locals recommend
This is a really fun way to see the city! They have shorter sails and a 2.5 hour sunset sail.
This Arboretum is about 2.5 miles away in West Seattle and encompasses about 5 acres. Highlights: -In 2014, the Arboretum was designated an American Conifer Society Reference Garden because it contains one of the best collections of conifers in the United States. -The Arboretum became a National Wildlife Federation Urban Wildlife Sanctuary in 2012 -The Coenosium Rock Garden was inducted into the Gardens for Peace program in 2010 -The Landscape Horticulture facilities, including the Arboretum, were awarded a “5-star” Environstar rating in 2010 -The Arboretum has been “pesticide-free” since 2008
SSC Arboretum
6000 16th Avenue Southwest
This Arboretum is about 2.5 miles away in West Seattle and encompasses about 5 acres. Highlights: -In 2014, the Arboretum was designated an American Conifer Society Reference Garden because it contains one of the best collections of conifers in the United States. -The Arboretum became a National Wildlife Federation Urban Wildlife Sanctuary in 2012 -The Coenosium Rock Garden was inducted into the Gardens for Peace program in 2010 -The Landscape Horticulture facilities, including the Arboretum, were awarded a “5-star” Environstar rating in 2010 -The Arboretum has been “pesticide-free” since 2008

Food scene

These are some of my favorite spots to grab a bite in West Seattle.
This is just down the hill from the Airbnb and has some of the best milkshakes in town! Also great for breakfast. The building, that houses the cafe, was constructed by Chris Boysen right after World War II. You can still see his namesake on the adjacent apartment building. Originally built as a neighborhood tavern, the building went through various identities over the decades. The last one being the infamous “Pat & Ron’s Tavern” which closed in 1988. After months of work on the space, it reopened on March of 1989 as Luna Park Cafe. The name coming from the former boardwalk park that existed in West Seattle in the early 1900’s. Over the years it has become a museum of sorts for all generations to enjoy. With a 1958 Seeburg Jukebox, other coin-ops like Pepe the Dancing Clown and the mini Orchestra above the front door and plenty of nostalgic decorations, this diner is a haven to it’s regulars and a spectacle to newcomers. The idea behind the cafe is to serve delicious food and great milkshakes in a 1950’s diner atmosphere.
82 locals recommend
Luna Park Cafe
2918 SW Avalon Way
82 locals recommend
This is just down the hill from the Airbnb and has some of the best milkshakes in town! Also great for breakfast. The building, that houses the cafe, was constructed by Chris Boysen right after World War II. You can still see his namesake on the adjacent apartment building. Originally built as a neighborhood tavern, the building went through various identities over the decades. The last one being the infamous “Pat & Ron’s Tavern” which closed in 1988. After months of work on the space, it reopened on March of 1989 as Luna Park Cafe. The name coming from the former boardwalk park that existed in West Seattle in the early 1900’s. Over the years it has become a museum of sorts for all generations to enjoy. With a 1958 Seeburg Jukebox, other coin-ops like Pepe the Dancing Clown and the mini Orchestra above the front door and plenty of nostalgic decorations, this diner is a haven to it’s regulars and a spectacle to newcomers. The idea behind the cafe is to serve delicious food and great milkshakes in a 1950’s diner atmosphere.
This is a small family owned Italian restaurant and is one of the best restaurants in the area. It has a great location right next to the water. Don't forget to save room for the tiramisu! When a fire temporarily shuttered this ristorante, West Seattleites acted like they’d lost their own homes. Their kitchens and dining rooms, anyway. La Rustica is the kind of place all its neighbors (and a few of its not-so-neighbors) regard as a home away from home—so much that its size is no match for its fan base. Whether they praise the undersize place as “cozy” or pan it as “cramped,” they generally agree that the mottled walls, interior streetlights, and dripping grapevines cast an appealing Roman luster over the room. Straight-up Italian food completes the picture—bruschettas, pizzas, pastas, a robust toss of gnocchi and housemade sausage, a deservedly renowned lamb shank special with risotto and grilled vegetables; all served with pillowy fingers of herbed garlic bread.
96 locals recommend
La Rustica
4100 Beach Dr SW
96 locals recommend
This is a small family owned Italian restaurant and is one of the best restaurants in the area. It has a great location right next to the water. Don't forget to save room for the tiramisu! When a fire temporarily shuttered this ristorante, West Seattleites acted like they’d lost their own homes. Their kitchens and dining rooms, anyway. La Rustica is the kind of place all its neighbors (and a few of its not-so-neighbors) regard as a home away from home—so much that its size is no match for its fan base. Whether they praise the undersize place as “cozy” or pan it as “cramped,” they generally agree that the mottled walls, interior streetlights, and dripping grapevines cast an appealing Roman luster over the room. Straight-up Italian food completes the picture—bruschettas, pizzas, pastas, a robust toss of gnocchi and housemade sausage, a deservedly renowned lamb shank special with risotto and grilled vegetables; all served with pillowy fingers of herbed garlic bread.
This is a very popular sushi restaurant in town that's just over a mile from the Airbnb. Trip Advisor: Mashiko is #9 of 2,023 Seattle Restaurants nwsource: Check out the white women making sushi!? The Seattle Times: Mashiko is packed, come early Yelp: Check out Mashiko's super five star reviews Yahoo Local: Mashiko earns 4.5 stars out of 5 CitySearch: Mashiko is "Seattle's Best Sushi" Menuism: Can't argue with sushiwhore.com The Stranger: Fab ladies room toilet Seattle Weekly: They sure are good Zagat Rated: Unpretentious sushi i heart bacon: Yummy food blog
93 locals recommend
Mashiko
4725 California Ave SW
93 locals recommend
This is a very popular sushi restaurant in town that's just over a mile from the Airbnb. Trip Advisor: Mashiko is #9 of 2,023 Seattle Restaurants nwsource: Check out the white women making sushi!? The Seattle Times: Mashiko is packed, come early Yelp: Check out Mashiko's super five star reviews Yahoo Local: Mashiko earns 4.5 stars out of 5 CitySearch: Mashiko is "Seattle's Best Sushi" Menuism: Can't argue with sushiwhore.com The Stranger: Fab ladies room toilet Seattle Weekly: They sure are good Zagat Rated: Unpretentious sushi i heart bacon: Yummy food blog
First opened in West Seattle where the historic Blake’s Bakery once stood, William and Heather Leaman continue to make history daily with one-of-a-kind creations. This café always has a large selection of fresh baked goods and desserts to choose from, which are sold on a first come, first serve basis. With over 20 years experience in pastry, bread and chocolate, and as the captain of the 2005 Bread Bakers Guild Team USA, where he led his team to victory at the Coupe du Monde de Boulangerie (World Cup of Baking), William Leaman’s Bakery Nouveau has become a Seattle icon.
489 locals recommend
Bakery Nouveau
4737 California Ave SW
489 locals recommend
First opened in West Seattle where the historic Blake’s Bakery once stood, William and Heather Leaman continue to make history daily with one-of-a-kind creations. This café always has a large selection of fresh baked goods and desserts to choose from, which are sold on a first come, first serve basis. With over 20 years experience in pastry, bread and chocolate, and as the captain of the 2005 Bread Bakers Guild Team USA, where he led his team to victory at the Coupe du Monde de Boulangerie (World Cup of Baking), William Leaman’s Bakery Nouveau has become a Seattle icon.
Easy Street Records is an independent record store located in Seattle, Washington. Easy Street opened its store in West Seattle in 1988, and later added a cafe/bar, which serves coffee, breakfast, lunch and beer & wine. Easy Street Records often hosts live in-store performances by national and local musicians. Our store carries new and used CDs, vinyl records, DVDs/BluRays, new books, magazines and company-branded merchandise. Our History Owner/President Matt Vaughan worked at two different record stores during his teen years. In 1987, with both stores ready to go out of business simultaneously, Vaughan approached both owners and offered to consolidate the two stores into one. Vaughan opened Easy Street Records in the business district of West Seattle (known as "The Junction") in 1988 and the following year moved the store down the street to its current location on the primary corner of the Junction in the historic Hamm Building. In 1999, he leased the space next door, installed a new kitchen and bar, and by 2001 had opened a full-service cafe. The following year he opened a second, much larger store in the Queen Anne neighborhood, which thrived for 11 years until its closure in 2013.
155 locals recommend
Easy Street Records & Cafe
4559 California Ave SW
155 locals recommend
Easy Street Records is an independent record store located in Seattle, Washington. Easy Street opened its store in West Seattle in 1988, and later added a cafe/bar, which serves coffee, breakfast, lunch and beer & wine. Easy Street Records often hosts live in-store performances by national and local musicians. Our store carries new and used CDs, vinyl records, DVDs/BluRays, new books, magazines and company-branded merchandise. Our History Owner/President Matt Vaughan worked at two different record stores during his teen years. In 1987, with both stores ready to go out of business simultaneously, Vaughan approached both owners and offered to consolidate the two stores into one. Vaughan opened Easy Street Records in the business district of West Seattle (known as "The Junction") in 1988 and the following year moved the store down the street to its current location on the primary corner of the Junction in the historic Hamm Building. In 1999, he leased the space next door, installed a new kitchen and bar, and by 2001 had opened a full-service cafe. The following year he opened a second, much larger store in the Queen Anne neighborhood, which thrived for 11 years until its closure in 2013.
As a local critic said, Salty’s is “One of the world’s great view restaurants.” Salty’s Waterfront Seafood Grills in Seattle is truly in a class by itself. We bend over backwards to please you with our award-winning fresh Northwest seafood cuisine and attentive friendly service. Salty’s, with sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Seattle city skyline, is like no other restaurant in Seattle. Whether enjoying live Dungeness crab and Maine lobster (swimming in our lobby) to our world-famous Alaskan salmon and halibut in season, oysters and clams from Northwest beaches, steak, pasta, chicken or luncheon salads and sandwiches, you will find many choices on our menus to please the most discriminating palate. To complement your meal, order wine from an extensive list of outstanding Northwest and world-class selections. Our award-winning Sunday Brunch — on Saturdays, too — is like none you’ve ever seen elsewhere.
208 locals recommend
Salty's on Alki Beach
1936 Harbor Ave SW
208 locals recommend
As a local critic said, Salty’s is “One of the world’s great view restaurants.” Salty’s Waterfront Seafood Grills in Seattle is truly in a class by itself. We bend over backwards to please you with our award-winning fresh Northwest seafood cuisine and attentive friendly service. Salty’s, with sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Seattle city skyline, is like no other restaurant in Seattle. Whether enjoying live Dungeness crab and Maine lobster (swimming in our lobby) to our world-famous Alaskan salmon and halibut in season, oysters and clams from Northwest beaches, steak, pasta, chicken or luncheon salads and sandwiches, you will find many choices on our menus to please the most discriminating palate. To complement your meal, order wine from an extensive list of outstanding Northwest and world-class selections. Our award-winning Sunday Brunch — on Saturdays, too — is like none you’ve ever seen elsewhere.
This place has great food and is my go-to spot if I'm at Alki. You can even order take out and have a picnic on the beach!
69 locals recommend
Harry's Beach House
2676 Alki Ave SW
69 locals recommend
This place has great food and is my go-to spot if I'm at Alki. You can even order take out and have a picnic on the beach!
Farmers from around the state come to West Seattle year round from 10am-2pm each Sunday. This is a great spot to buy local produce, fish, honey, flowers, baked goods, and more.
80 locals recommend
West Seattle Farmers Market
California Avenue Southwest
80 locals recommend
Farmers from around the state come to West Seattle year round from 10am-2pm each Sunday. This is a great spot to buy local produce, fish, honey, flowers, baked goods, and more.

Grocery Stores

There are several grocery stores within a couple of miles of Urban Oasis.
This is a higher end grocery store that has plenty of pre-made meals and sweet treats.
134 locals recommend
Metropolitan Market West Seattle (Admiral)
2320 42nd Ave SW
134 locals recommend
This is a higher end grocery store that has plenty of pre-made meals and sweet treats.
This is a typical grocery store with all the staples you'd expect to find.
101 locals recommend
QFC
2500 SW Barton St
101 locals recommend
This is a typical grocery store with all the staples you'd expect to find.
Neighborhood grocery store with food and drink from around the globe and around the corner.
226 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
4545 Fauntleroy Way SW
226 locals recommend
Neighborhood grocery store with food and drink from around the globe and around the corner.
This is a smaller, upscale market that offers a lot of gourmet and organic options as well as prepared foods in case you're not up for cooking.
67 locals recommend
PCC Community Markets - West Seattle
2749 California Avenue Southwest
67 locals recommend
This is a smaller, upscale market that offers a lot of gourmet and organic options as well as prepared foods in case you're not up for cooking.

Neighborhoods

Ballard is known for having one of the better restaurant scenes in town, including a few that are on Elliot Bay. It also has several boutiques that offer unique clothing, jewelry, furniture, and gifts.
261 locals recommend
Ballard
261 locals recommend
Ballard is known for having one of the better restaurant scenes in town, including a few that are on Elliot Bay. It also has several boutiques that offer unique clothing, jewelry, furniture, and gifts.
This neighborhood has many Asian markets and restaurants that have been there for decades. Definitely check out this historical area while you are in Seattle!
200 locals recommend
Seattle Chinatown-International District
200 locals recommend
This neighborhood has many Asian markets and restaurants that have been there for decades. Definitely check out this historical area while you are in Seattle!
This neighborhood’s spirit is represented by rainbow crosswalks and flags that speak to its roots as the center of the city’s LGBTQ+ life, along with storied bars like the Wildrose (1021 E Pike St), one of about 20 remaining lesbian bars in the country, and Queer/Bar (1518 11th Ave), which puts on legendary drag shows. Two of the city’s most popular parks anchor this central neighborhood: Cal Anderson (1635 11th Ave), where the reflecting pool and playfields serve as the neighborhood’s informal gathering place, and Volunteer Park (1247 15th Ave E). The latter, an almost 50-acre space, boasts stellar views from its water tower, free to anyone willing to climb it. The park also houses the recently remodeled and expanded Seattle Asian Art Museum* (1400 E Prospect St) and the Volunteer Park Conservatory (1400 E Galer St), a greenhouse modeled after London’s Crystal Palace.
344 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
344 locals recommend
This neighborhood’s spirit is represented by rainbow crosswalks and flags that speak to its roots as the center of the city’s LGBTQ+ life, along with storied bars like the Wildrose (1021 E Pike St), one of about 20 remaining lesbian bars in the country, and Queer/Bar (1518 11th Ave), which puts on legendary drag shows. Two of the city’s most popular parks anchor this central neighborhood: Cal Anderson (1635 11th Ave), where the reflecting pool and playfields serve as the neighborhood’s informal gathering place, and Volunteer Park (1247 15th Ave E). The latter, an almost 50-acre space, boasts stellar views from its water tower, free to anyone willing to climb it. The park also houses the recently remodeled and expanded Seattle Asian Art Museum* (1400 E Prospect St) and the Volunteer Park Conservatory (1400 E Galer St), a greenhouse modeled after London’s Crystal Palace.

Nightlife

This local music venue is a great spot to hear live music.
28 locals recommend
Skylark Cafe & Club
3803 Delridge Way SW
28 locals recommend
This local music venue is a great spot to hear live music.
This is a snug two-story bar serving craft cocktails with house-made infusions & light snacks.
29 locals recommend
The Nook
1416 E Main Ave
29 locals recommend
This is a snug two-story bar serving craft cocktails with house-made infusions & light snacks.
The Benbow Room is a pirate ship themed bar that specializes in Wisconsin beer and a cocktail list a true Pirate would love! They often have local bands or DJs.
The Benbow Room
4210 SW Admiral Way
The Benbow Room is a pirate ship themed bar that specializes in Wisconsin beer and a cocktail list a true Pirate would love! They often have local bands or DJs.

Shopping

The REI Flagship store is a site to behold for anyone interested in outdoor gear. They sell everything from camping gear to apparel to bicycles, roof racks, and kayaks.
90 locals recommend
REI
222 Yale Ave N
90 locals recommend
The REI Flagship store is a site to behold for anyone interested in outdoor gear. They sell everything from camping gear to apparel to bicycles, roof racks, and kayaks.

Gyms

This is a nearby gym. You might ask about day passes or week passes if you're in town for a short time.
YMCA
4515 36th Avenue Southwest
This is a nearby gym. You might ask about day passes or week passes if you're in town for a short time.
Orangetheory's group workout classes are 60 minutes long and focus on high-intensity interval training.
Orangetheory Fitness
4755 Fauntleroy Way Southwest
Orangetheory's group workout classes are 60 minutes long and focus on high-intensity interval training.
This is a local spin studio specializing in indoor cycle classes.
StarCycle West Seattle
4532 42nd Avenue Southwest
This is a local spin studio specializing in indoor cycle classes.
This is a large, local gym down the hill from the Airbnb. It's also my gym! They offer free 5-day trial memberships.
West Seattle Health Club
2629 SW Andover St
This is a large, local gym down the hill from the Airbnb. It's also my gym! They offer free 5-day trial memberships.
Row House offers a variety of classes to build strength, endurance, and confidence. Each class has a different focus and programming varies to help you progress to avoid plateaus.
Row House
4203 Southwest Oregon Street
Row House offers a variety of classes to build strength, endurance, and confidence. Each class has a different focus and programming varies to help you progress to avoid plateaus.
Barre3 is a full-body balanced workout combining strength conditioning, cardio, and mindfulness that will leave you feeling balanced in body and empowered from within.
13 locals recommend
barre3
1404 12th Ave
13 locals recommend
Barre3 is a full-body balanced workout combining strength conditioning, cardio, and mindfulness that will leave you feeling balanced in body and empowered from within.