Mt. Baker

Nestled in a quiet but vibrant corner of south-east Seattle, Mt. Baker is one of the city’s best kept secrets. Surrounded by parks on three sides and Lake Washington on one, Mt. Baker is where Seattleites live when they want excellent views and a peaceful residential experience without sacrificing the convenience of a nearby metropolis.

The Mt. Baker neighborhood gots its name from the clear view of the mountain itself in northern Washington’s Whatcom County. The Mt. Baker Tunnel is the preferred route on the south end of Seattle to reach Bellevue and it is the primary path to beautiful Mercer Island. Though it is in a major city, Mt. Baker’s location on Lake Washington across from the tree-lined shores of Mercer Island give it the unique feel of a more provincial town.

This is not to say that Mt. Baker is rustic. Far from it. The very active, well-connected community in Mt. Baker takes pride in its wide variety of architectural styles and living options. Some streets are known for their manicured, stately houses, while others are an eclectic mix of Tudor style villas, 20^th century brick multi-storeys and slick, modern designs. There are also occasional project potentials for the budding craftsperson. Unlike a lot of technically inner-city neighborhoods, Mt. Baker is known for its generous yards, many of which are occupied by flourishing gardens. Green thumbs have plenty of earth to dig in this district.

Mt. Baker also proves that “quiet” doesn’t have to be a synonym for “boring”. Mt. Baker Beach hosts a number of impressive shows throughout the year, including Seattle’s famous Seafair extravaganza featuring the Chevrolet Cup hydroplane races and a demonstration by the famed Blue Angels jet performers. The beach also has the distinction of being one of Seattle’s sandy beaches, as opposed to the rocky varieties found in other areas.

Mt. Baker has a number of green inland parks in addition to its main attractions at the beach. Coleman Park is on the north side of the neighborhood only a few blocks from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park and the Seattle Tennis Center. On the south end are Genesee Park and the Rainier Play Field. Also nearby in the adjacent Beacon Hill neighborhood is the popular Jefferson Park public golf course.

Mt. Baker is an excellent location for parents who want to make sure their children get a high-quality public education. John Muir Elementary has positive reviews from a majority of parents with children currently enrolled, as does the slightly larger, open-system Kimball Elementary. Franklin High School, a public option, is located in the heart of Mt. Baker. For private options, there is the K-8 Zion Preparatory Academy and the small Maxine Mimms School for grades 7-12. Mt. Baker is also the home of the Seattle Kollel center for Jewish learning.

Mt. Baker is close to a number of busier neighborhoods, so plenty of good food and entertainment is just a stone’s throw from the rowing clubs, plus its access to major commuter roadways make the neighborhood ideal for those who work in Bellevue, Redmond, on Mercer Island, downtown or near the airport. With its generous space, wide variety of living options and unparalleled views, Mt. Baker is an excellent introduction to the feel of Seattle’s quieter south side.