Activities And Attractions
Whidbey Island is the 5th longest and largest island in the continental US. It is a nature lover’s dream with sandy beaches, tall fir trees, abundant birdlife, and great fishing. Whidbey lies in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountain Range, so receives about 35% less rain than Seattle on average. Recreation options are many- golfing, hiking, tennis, biking. South Whidbey has wonderful shopping opportunities- from cute tourist town Coupeville with its many antique shops, to Langley with its many art galleries, great restaurants, and fun shopping, to Freeland, the business hub of the South End. The most highly prized real estate is generally on the west-facing beaches of the South End. Here, the sun sets nightly over the Olympic Mountains with Admiralty Inlet in the foreground, and freighters and submarines share the same waterway as salmon, whales, and porpoises. The Mukilteo-Clinton ferry is an easy 15 minute crossing, running every ½ hour on the hour, connecting South Whidbey with the mainland. From there it is less than 45 minutes to Seattle. North Whidbey is connected to the mainland by a bridge over Deception Pass, itself a world-class destination that draws tourists from around the world. Whidbey Beach Retreat is ideally situated to take advantage of all Whidbey has to offer.
Suggested Whidbey Activities
Beachcombing. You can walk north or south on the beach at most tide levels. At low tide, the beach goes out hundreds of feet, making for fascinating explorations. There is a tide calendar in the kitchen. At low tides, you can dig for clams or rake or net Dungeness crabs. These permits are available at Sebos, a hardware store in Clinton, just 10 minutes away. You’ll probably see (and hear) seal and sea lions perched on a couple of large rocks just offshore at low tide.
Art Galleries. Langley is a must for art-lovers. Wonderful fine art galleries, especially Museo, and several antique shops. About a 10 minute drive from the house. Great bakeries and restaurants too.
Staying In? Tuck into the cushy chairs, put your feet up, turn on the fireplace, and RELAX! Read yours or one of the many books we have for your use at the house. Play CDs from our extensive library, or plug in your Ipod to our stereo system. Upstairs, select a DVD from our DVD library, choose from the many Directtv channels. Play XBOX Sport games using the new Kinect controller and our library of Xbox games. Enjoy board games, scrabble, or chess from a beachside seat. Downstairs, challenge your friends to a game of pool on our 9’ professional slate table, a fast game of Foosball, or a round of air hockey. We have Directv cable service and DVD players on connected HDTVs on each level of the house too. High speed wifi is provided, and cell service at the house is excellent.
Shopping. The towns of Clinton and Langley are just 5-10 minutes away. The Star Store in Langley has fabulous mens and womens casual clothes, gourmet kitchen tools, and a good wine shop. Combine that with wine-tasting at the shop across the street, and the chocolate shop next door. There are many many great shops all within a 3 block radius in downtown Langley. In the mornings, there is a fabulous homemade boiled bagel shop Kiichlis Bagels tucked away in a Clinton shopping center- better than any Seattle bagel shop.
In the Evening The evenings are magical at Whidbey Beach Retreat. Bring or buy firewood and enjoy a reflective evening around the campfire, beachside. Don’t forget the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers! There is always the large stainless gas grill as well. End your evening with an outdoor hot spa/jacuzzi, right off the master bedroom, with panoramic beach views. This Olympic Hot Springs tub is the Mercedes of tubs, quiet and powerful, and can be adjusted so that the water is truly hot, not just lukewarm like so many others. (Hold down the temp up arrow to max the temperature). The stars are so much more visible here in the islands.
Cook or Bake! We provide a kitchen with every conceivable kitchen implement, baking dish, and appliance you could need. Beach views from the kitchen are incredible and you can converse with friends and family seated at the island, or in the living room next to the fire. We have a fully stocked pantry with spices, oils, etc. and just ask just that if you use up something, that you replace it. There is a large stainless barbeque grill just outside, plumbed to our household propane tank so that you don’t need to worry about running out in the middle of grilling your salmon.
A new attraction for 2015 is the farm-based cooking school The Orchard Kitchen. The renowned chef Vincent Nattress is offering farm to table cooking and cheese making classes from this beautiful historic farm nearby!
Hiking/Walking. In addition to the beach in front of the house, Maxwelton Beach Park is a nearby beach just over the hill less than 5 minutes away. Possession Point Park is 5 minutes away. Ebey’s Landing in the Coupeville area, offers a 2-3 mile hike that is just stunning. From the Ebey’s Landing parking lot, traverse the hillside and return along the beach. Fort Casey has great hiking, exploring, and a lovely lighthouse available for viewing. Earth Sanctuary combines exemplary ecology with art and spirit to create a sanctuary for birds and wildlife and a peaceful place for personal renewal and spiritual connection.
Bicycling. Whidbey Island has some of the best biking roads in Washington State. Putney Hills in Langley and Fort Ebey both have great mountain biking. Half Link Bicycle Shop at Bayview Corner in Langley has nice mountain and road bikes for rent at $30 per day. (360) 331-7980 www.halflinkbikes.com. You’ll find bike maps in the welcome binder. The bike shop will give them to you for free.
Bird watching. We have binoculars for your use. The Cultus Bay area is amazing for its bird habitat. Our library contains bird guidebooks as well. Watch for eagles and osprey in the morning. Red-winged blackbirds, goldfinches, hummingbirds, great horned owls, have been recently seen.
Farm Visits. Whidbey has many many small farms, some of which offer tours and welcome visitors. Our welcome booklet has a brochure listing many of these farms and a map. Many of these farms welcome visitors at no cost.
Driving Tours. Ebey’s Landing: much of this area was recently acquired by a consortium including the Nature Conservancy. This is truly one of the most beautiful areas in the country. Rolling meadows, beautiful farmlands, and great trails along the bluff. Deception Pass: a world class destination- if you are visiting for a week, make sure to plan a drive to the very north end of Whidbey. Continue north to Deception Pass, truly an area of world-class beauty!
Tour Port Townsend. Park the car at the Keystone/Clinton ferry landing, walk on, and take a 35 minute ferry ride to Port Townsend. Pt. Townsend is an historic Washington town with old Victorian gingerbread houses, great shopping, good pubs, and nice restaurants, all within easy walking distance from the ferry dock. There is a ferry schedule in the welcome binder.
Weekend Farmers Markets. Starting late spring, there are 2 wonderful outdoor farmers markets in Bayview. The Bayview Market at Bayview Corner is the largest- offering locally grown produce, fresh baked pies and homebaked goodies, art and crafts. Going south on the main highway, turn left at the Whidbey phone company (landmark: big US flag) and turn right into the Bayview nursery parking lot. Similar offerings are on Sundays from 11:30-3:30 at the Organic Farmers Market at Thompson Road and the main Hwy, but focusing more on organic produce, plant starts, soaps, etc. Also on Sunday mornings April-October from 11-1, try the farmers market and art show at the Greenbank Farm. The Greenbank farm was purchased by the local community instead of being developed into high density housing. There is also a farmers market in Coupeville on Saturday mornings.
Greenbank Farm and Winery Hopping. Greenbank Farm is also a one stop shop for local wineries and offers daily wine tasting. The 522 acre farm includes and duck pond and art galleries, cheese shop, and Whidbey Pie Cafe that specializes in pies and lunches. There are now 8 wineries on Whidbey Island, including these which also have their own tasting rooms: Whidbey Island Vineyards and Winery Langley 360 221-2040, Holmes Harbor Cellars 360 331 3544, Greenbank Cellars 360 678-3964, Swede Hill Cellars 206200 1728.
Garden touring. If you are a gardener, and especially a rhododendron lover, don’t miss Meerkerk Gardens, just 10 minutes away on Resort Road, just off the main highway. Go ½ mile on Resort Road to Meerkerk Lane. The gardens are open 7 days a week 9am to 4pm. Admission is $3 per person. Also, try nearby Cultus Bay Nursery, written up recently in the New York Times.
Kayaking. Whidbey Island Kayaking Company (www.whidbeyislandkayaking.com or 360 321 4683) runs 2 hour guided tours daily from Freeland and other locations around Whidbey, with all equipment supplied. Cultus Bay in front of the house is one of the premier locations on the island for kayaking as it is protected from wind so offers calm waters and scenic views.
Golf. There are several courses on Whidbey. Just 15 minutes away is Island Green Golf Course. Located in the beautiful and serene forests of South Whidbey, Island Greens, this 9 hole, par 3 course has been rated as one of the best courses of its type in the Northwest. If you are looking to work on your long game, they also offer the only public driving range on South Whidbey. Holmes Harbor Golf is closed for now. Useless Bay Country Club is an 18-hole private golf course is at 5725 S. Country club Drive in Langley. Call 1 (360)321-5960. There is also a great 18 hole golf course in Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island Golf and Country Club. Note that Oak Harbor is quite a long drive, but this could be combined with a long day trip to Deception Pass, not to be missed.
Shopping in Coupeville. Coupeville is a quaint seaside town about 30 minutes away. Don’t miss the cinnamon rolls or the orange buns at the Knead and Feed. Try the local mussels at Toby’s, or better yet dine at the gourmet Oystercatcher Restaurant. Buy a new outfit at Collections Boutique, my favorite women’s clothing boutique at the north end of the village. Great ice cream shop at Kapaw’s Iskreme too!
Kid Stuff. There are lots of kids books for a range of ages and DVDs, no need to cart your collection. There is a cute library in Langley- good for a rainy day activity. Don’t miss the incredible wooden playground structure at the Community Park on Maxwelton Road, just beyond the High School. There is a skate park there too. Great kid toys shops in Langley. Our kids love the big Thrift shop Please discuss the “Kids Rulz” for the house with all kids in residence.
Services
Groceries. The Payless grocery store in Freeland is one of the best on the Island, and is about 18 minutes away (better offerings that most large Seattle supermarkets). From the main highway, take a right at Fish Road in Freeland. You’ll see it on your left in a large shopping complex which also includes an Ace Hardware, a wonderful kids toy/gift shop/drugstore, a fabric store, and a florist. The Goose Grocery is along the Hwy toward the Clinton ferry- a community owned grocery store with good selection of local and organic produce. The Star Store in Langley is also good, though smaller.
Videos. Bailey’s Corner Store has DVDs for rent. The Payless also has a Redbox DVD kiosk.
Hospital. The nearest hospital is Whidbey General in Coupeville, about a 45 minute drive.
Restaurants. For up to date restaurant reviews, search TripAdvisor.com by choosing the restaurant tab and searching for “Whidbey Island”.
Langley: there are many good restaurants- the Prima Bistro 360 221 4060 and Café Langley are favorites, and Useless Bay Coffee Company is our favorite breakfast, coffee, bakery, and lunch spot. Many enjoy the Braeburn for lunch. If you have time (and money) the Inn at Langley is legendary among “foodies”- a 7 course 3 hour dinner experience that I’m told is to die for, I believe Thursdays to Sunday, but call and check. Reservations are required.
Bayview: There is a good Asian restaurant Basil Café in this fun and interesting business complex.
Freeland: Gordons on Blueberry Hill for a nice dinner, gets excellent reviews. Greenbank Grille is a great lunch spot, right above the Greenbank Store. The Freeland Café offers- so/so American food in a casual country diner atmosphere. Wifire Café is next to the Whidbey Telephone building just east of the Payless Foods complex, and has very fast wifi coverage and good coffee. The Midway Café does nice sandwiches in the building next to the Radio Shack. China City has traditionally cooked Chinese food.
Coupeville (about 45 minutes away): For fine dining, the Oystercatcher is great- food rivaling many Seattle restaurants- not cheap but worth every penny. Reservations recommended- 360 678-0683. Christophers on Whidbey, a little less expensive but also good. Toby’s is a pub in Coupeville known for its excellent Penn Cove Mussels. The Knead and Feed has killer cinnamon rolls and lovely soups and sandwiches.
Ferries. Driving times to the Clinton ferry are 10-12 minutes, and to the Pt. Townsend ferry 30-40 minutes. Ferry schedules are in the welcome binder.