Coupeville is a seaside community with a lot of history
Settled by seafarers and farmers in the 1850s, Coupeville holds the distinction of being one of Washington state's oldest communities. Its identity is deeply intertwined with its maritime past and its status as the only town within Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. These days, the town is known as a tourist destination and as the seat of Island County, which covers Whidbey and Camano islands. Coupeville is also home to the island's only major public hospital. "It's a quaint little town. You can definitely see the history along places like Front Street, where a lot of buildings date back over a hundred years," says broker Dan Fouts of Windermere Real Estate South Whidbey, who has lived in the area for over 17 years. "It's perfect if you're looking for a quiet town on the sound, and Oak Harbor is close enough that it's easy to get shopping done when you need to."
From historic homes to modern luxury properties
Prospective homebuyers will find a mix of housing styles in Coupeville, from historic homes near the center of town to midcentury ranch-style homes to a variety of larger custom-built modern properties in the outskirts. "It's basically a nice little Norman Rockwell-type town," says Fouts. Home prices in Coupeville vary widely and depend on several factors, including size, age and, perhaps most importantly, whether or not the home is on the water. Inland midcentury ranch-style homes and split-levels generally sell for $400,000 to $600,000, while more spacious modern inland properties go for $650,000 to $1.2 million. Coastal homes, meanwhile, usually go for $1 million to $2 million. Some coastal properties do have some flood risk, which can affect insurance prices. Noise from high-speed Naval aircraft flying in and out of the Navy's Outlying Landing Field Coupeville can also be an issue in some areas.
Great seafood restaurants with views of the cove
Commercial activity in Coupeville is concentrated along historic Front Street and the area surrounding the Coupeville Wharf. The streetscape retains much of its early 20th-century appearance, with wooden sidewalks in some areas. Restaurants take advantage of the town's coastal views and access to local agriculture and aquaculture, including Penn Cove's mussel farms, which ship all over the U.S. The town's best-known restaurants — Oystercatcher, Toby's Tavern and Front Street Grill — all specialize in seafood and overlook Penn Cove, but other dining options can be found inland. Prairie Center Market is Coupeville's lone supermarket. While a few small shops and boutiques can be found along Main Street and Front Street, locals generally head to Oak Harbor when they need to do any serious shopping.
Surrounded by a national historical reserve
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, which technically contains the town of Coupeville, offers a distinctive array of outdoor opportunities. The reserve itself, a 19,333-acre area, features mixed-use trails through forests and prairies, and along bluffs overlooking Puget Sound. A number of historic buildings are scattered around the preserve, including Admiralty Head Lighthouse, a popular spot for pictures. The Coupeville Wharf, built in 1905, serves as a focal point for the community, providing views of Penn Cove and access to the Coupeville Marina. "Like just about everywhere on Whidbey Island, kayaking and boating are popular hobbies, as are seasonal activities like shore fishing and shellfish hunting," Fouts says.
Coupeville School District schools have good ratings
The area's public schools are part of the Coupeville School District, which has a B-plus on Niche. Coupeville Elementary has an A-minus rating, while both Coupeville Middle and Coupeville High have Bs. Coupeville High offers college dual credit courses through Skagit Community College on the mainland.
Musselfest and the Water Festival
Coupeville's Penn Cove Musselfest, held every March, celebrates the world-famous Penn Cove mussels with cooking demonstrations, eating contests and mussel-centric dishes offered by local restaurants. In May, the Penn Cove Water Festival honors the maritime heritage of the Coast Salish peoples with canoe races, tribal dancing, storytelling and Native arts and crafts.
Getting around and off of Whidbey Island
State Route 20, Whidbey Island's major arterial road, runs through Coupeville, connecting it to Oak Harbor to the north and Clinton to the south. It's a little over 10 miles from central Coupeville to Oak Harbor via car, and about 30 miles to the Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry. Free bus service is offered via Island Transit, with most routes running north-south along 20. The nearest major airport, Seattle-Tacoma International, is a little more difficult to get to. Whether residents head south to the ferry or north to Deception Pass Bridge, it takes at least 2.5 hours to get there.
Photography Contributed By
William King
