Bow

In scenic Skagit County, views of Padilla Bay are indeed visible from Bay View homes. Between the Padilla Bay Shore Trailhead, Bay View State Park and Padilla Bay National Estuarine, this rural community has nature at its forefront. Further inland, wide open spaces and evergreens make up the landscape. Though the neighborhood is spread out, neighbors gather at Bay View Civic Hall for community events. Bay View offers a quiet slice of the Pacific Northwest. “The Padilla Bay walking trail is a great place to take a walk. And go to the state park – as a local, you take something down and enjoy the sunset,” says Shalyce Pocock, broker with John L. Scoff Real Estate and fourth-generation Skagit County resident. At Bay View State Park, it’s easy to find a good spot to watch for sea birds – either at one of the picnic tables just a few feet from the water or sitting upon a secluded log on the rocky shore. Campers can rent one of the log cabins and grill out amongst tall pines. As for hiking and biking, Upland Trail is accessible from the parking lot of the Breazeale Interpretive Center and Aquarium, which is free and open Saturdays through Wednesdays. Alternatively, the Shore Trail winds alongside sparkling blue Padilla Bay, starting at the southern tip of the neighborhood and stretching further south toward Whitney. Bay View streets are free of traffic, sidewalks and fuss. “Most of Bay View and Bow is larger parcels and hobby farms,” Pocock says. “There is room to roam – there aren’t very many cluster neighborhoods.” Single-story homes are sprawling and secluded with expansive floor plans and patios. Some properties include features like a pool, fruit trees and fenced in areas. Ranch-styles and custom properties were built in the 1980s and ‘90s. Prices range from about $920,000 to $1.25 million. Manufactured homes fall between $95,000 and $245,000. Restaurants are a short drive outside of Bay View. Shawn O’Donnell’s at the Farmhouse, about 4 miles south down Bayview Edison Road, hosts musicians playing Irish tunes in a family-friendly atmosphere. This family-owned pub, known for its Irish and American food made with locally sourced ingredients, is one of six regional locations. For major shopping, residents take Josh Wilson Road into Burlington to get groceries at Haggen or Target. Also in neighboring Burlington, small businesses line East Fairhaven Avenue, such as Styles & Extensions Salon and Melody’s Flowers & More. Schools in the district are located outside of Bay View neighborhood bounds. Bay View Elementary School, rated C on Niche, teaches kindergarten through Grade 8. Burlington-Edison High School, rated B-minus, offers a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps program that teaches maritime history, global trade and oceanography. Cars are the dominant mode of transport in Bay View. The closest major road is Interstate 5, which leads to Bellingham International Airport, about 35 miles north. Bay View borders Skagit Regional Airport; however, this small airport is for business travel. For peace of mind, PeaceHealth United General Medical Center, the nearest hospital, is about 10 miles east

Surrounded by the Samish Bay, Samish Island is the place to be for serenity and coastal breezes in Skagit County. Samish Island is about 4 miles across and one of the inner San Juan Islands. A strip of land and Samish Island Road – not a bridge or a ferry – connects this “island” to mainland Washington state. “It’s a great little area – it’s got gorgeous waterfront and multigenerational properties,” says Shalyce Pocock, broker with John L. Scoff Real Estate and fourth-generation Skagit County resident. “It’s a very fun community; there’s a 4th of July parade that the community puts on.” As drivers arrive on Samish Island, they are greeted by the Skagit Land Trust Samish Conservation Area, which contains a forest over 100 years old. Here, bald eagles take flight, leashed dogs are welcome and walking trails wind through the trees. Additionally, Samish Bay is home to crabs and oysters, which locals can harvest. Public beach access is available at the north end of the island; “Bring a canoe or kayak and go shell fishing down there,” says Brian Adams, Skagit County Director of Parks and Recreation. Campgrounds are located at the southern end of Samish Island. Recreation amenities include a playground, a basketball hoop and courts for pickleball and tennis. There are no stoplights to be found on Samish Island. Narrow, paved roads cut through thick trees, leading to secluded homes. Cabins and custom builds feature large windows for watching the sun set over the bay. Prices range from $665,000 for one-bedrooms to $2.4 million for three-story homes with a pool. There is a year-round local presence here in addition to vacationers in the summer and on weekends. Though the lifestyle is generally quiet, Samish Island residents come together for the sake of fun. The Samish Island Community Center, located on the eastern end of the island, has been a social hub for the island since 1946. The Arts Festival Committee organizes the annual Summer Arts Festival, which takes place on the last Saturday in July at the community center. Residents regularly unite at potluck dinners at the community center. Additionally, the Samish Island Marching Band performs in the 4th of July parade along Blue Heron Road and at the Island Holiday Celebration at the Community of Christ church. Burlington-Edison School District schools are located off-island. In Edison, about 5 miles to the east on the mainland, Edison Elementary School teaches kindergarten through Grade 8. It is rated C-plus on Niche. Burlington-Edison High School, rated B-minus, offers a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps program that teaches maritime history, global trade and oceanography. It is located about 14 miles inland in Burlington. There is no downtown center on Samish Island; residents are about a 5 mile-drive from the closest restaurants in Edison, like Longhorn Saloon, which serves burgers on the patio with Old West-inspired décor. About 14 miles inland, grocery options in Burlington include Fred Meyer. For peace of mind, the nearest hospital, PeaceHealth United General Medical Center, is about 16 miles east. And for further travel, Bellingham International Airport is 33 miles north.