South Juanita, in Kirkland, sits on the northeast shores of Lake Washington by Juanita Bay, about 15 miles from Downtown Seattle. The commercial area known as Juanita Village is just steps away from the lake. "The area is one of Kirkland's best places to live. It's undergone a large revitalization, and many people who grew up in the area are moving back to raise their families," says Elizabeth Avery, a Realtor with Re/MAX Northwest who grew up in Kirkland.
Off Juanita Bay, there's Juanita Beach Park, where beach volleyball, paddleboarding and fishing are popular pastimes. "There's a public vessel launch, and when there are strong south winds, we see quite a lot of kiteboarders, kite surfers, surf skiers, and even some outrigger canoes. People bring blowup rafts as well," says Jeff Underwood, the owner of Seattle Paddle, which has two locations in Kirkland, one of which is at the beach. The company rents out kayaks and standup paddleboards onsite. "We have a fair amount of people who are season pass holders; some come every day after work or even sneak in a quick paddle during lunch break." On the other side of the rental area, there's a snack shack, which Underwood jokingly says was strategically placed adjacent to the playground. A morning arrival is recommended. "Parking is always tricky on nice-weather days," Underwood says. "If they are locals, they know better than to expect a parking space later." He says many people bike and walk to the park as the area has plenty of apartments and condominiums.
Close by, on the northeast shore, Juanita Bay Park's 110 acres draw nature lovers, including birdwatchers and hikers, ready to explore the forested trails and wetland outlooks. For a workout challenge, Forbes Creek Stairs has 210 steps on a steep incline leading to the Forbes Creek trails.
Held at the beach park, the city of Kirkland's Wheels and Reels Winter-Spring Drive-In Movies are a favorite. The cost is $20 per vehicle, with preregistration required. The parking lot is also the site of the Juanita Friday Market, which welcomes browsers looking for farm produce, flowers and specialty items. Another option is the Kirkland Wednesday Market, which is held downtown. Both are open June through September, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Juanita Bay Park Bird Walk Tour takes place monthly, and other community events include art shows, forest and habitat stewardship volunteer days and seasonal and holiday celebrations.
Juanita Village, the heart of the neighborhood, is a walkable mixed-use environment with residential and commercial spaces. Outdoor dining is a plus at spots like Urban Coffee Lounge, where the brick patio, fountain and manicured landscaping add to the ambiance. It also has a beer and wine menu. There are plenty of cuisine choices to consider. "Take your pick," Underwood says. "There's Mexican, Indian, noodle shops, pizza and a good sushi shop — one of my favorites." For an upscale experience, Café Juanita serves curated prix-fixe dinners and optional wine pairings with a Northern Italian focus.
Just to the east, there's a Fred Meyer and other stores alongside both sides of Interstate 405.
On South Juanita's residential streets, evergreen trees tower above single-family homes, some with lake views and tucked away on the hillsides. Builds from the 1960s to '80s include ranch-style and raised ranch homes, split-levels and traditionals, typically 1,000 square feet to 2,300 square feet and priced from $800,000 to $1.3 million. Over $3 million are custom luxury homes of up to 5,000 square feet, which, in recent years, replaced older teardowns. Condos typically run $350,000 to $620,000.
Kids may attend public schools like the neighborhood's Alexander Graham Bell Elementary, which received an A grade from Niche. Kirkland Middle School, also with an A, has a variety of competitive academic activities, such as Battle of the Books and Math Olympiad. In addition to its stellar academics, Juanita High School, which received an A-minus, is known for its competitive swim program and other athletics. The campus is also the site of the Juanita Aquatics Center.
The area is served by King County Metro bus routes, with stops found along major roads like 98th Avenue, 124th Street and Forbes Creek Drive. Route 255 travels from Totem Lake to the University District, and routes 230 and 231 go from Bothell and Woodinville, respectively, to the Kirkland Transit Center.
For those driving, South Juanita is just west of I-405, connecting Kirkland to larger cities with major employers and amenities. Bellevue is about 9 miles away, and Downtown Seattle is about 16 miles away, with passage over Lake Washington via state Route 520. The bridge has a toll in both directions, although the Good To Go! Pass from the Washington State Department of Transportation will reduce fees substantially. If heading east, commuters have a drive of about 6 miles to reach Redmond, home to the Microsoft Headquarters.
It's about a 25-mile trip to Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Maxwell McKinley
Windermere Real Estate GH LLC
(206) 681-2189
53 Total Sales
1 in South Juanita
$465,000 Price
Terri Del Maestro
John L. Scott Bothell
(206) 210-3452
42 Total Sales
1 in South Juanita
$1,400,000 Price
Kevin Lam
COMPASS
(347) 462-0277
104 Total Sales
1 in South Juanita
$1,215,000 Price
Hailu Liu
RE/MAX Town Center
(425) 215-0682
167 Total Sales
1 in South Juanita
$585,000 Price
Ryan Xu
Real Estate Collection
(425) 528-8321
198 Total Sales
2 in South Juanita
$2.8M - $3.3M Price Range
Michael Reese
COMPASS
(360) 763-4697
42 Total Sales
1 in South Juanita
$587,000 Price
On average, homes in South Juanita, Kirkland sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in South Juanita, Kirkland over the last 12 months is $1,124,500, up 82% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$2,249,500
Full of warmth, light, and good energy, this 5 bed, 4.5 bath home offers soaring ceilings, beautiful natural light, and peaceful Japanese-inspired gardens. Two decks and peekaboo Lake WA views offer the perfect setting for entertaining and relaxing, while the lower level—with 2 beds, 2 baths, laundry, and a bonus room—offers easy MIL or guest suite potential. Just blocks from the lake, Juanita
Angelina Wallent John L. Scott, Inc.
$500,000
Completely remodeled ground-floor condo in the heart of Juanita! Updated in the last three years with beautiful hardwood floors, paint, new kitchen, gorgeous baths, California Closets in the primary, and brand-new carpet in bedrooms. Ground-floor ease with just 5 steps to entry plus a deeded covered parking spot. Small, gated community of 24 homes with low dues, an overfunded HOA, and no
Becca Locke Real Broker LLC
$522,950
NEW, IMPROVED PRICE! Welcome to Juanita Crest—where lifestyle, location, and value come together! This beautifully updated 2BR/1.5BA, 1,050 SF townhome features new carpet and flooring, remodeled kitchen and baths, AC for warm days, and a cozy fireplace for chilly nights. Also, brand new crawl space insulation! Enjoy spacious living/dining areas, a private patio with storage, and deeded parking.
Julee Kraus John L. Scott Mill Creek
$991,800
Welcome to this stunning new construction by Holden Development Group, offering modern elegance and thoughtful design in every detail. The open-concept main floor boasts a gourmet kitchen w/ a spacious island, premium finishes, and seamless flow to the dining and living areas. Upstairs, retreat to the luxurious primary suite with a spa-inspired ensuite and a large walk-in closet. A second
$3,599,000
Step into your dream lifestyle in this stunning Kirkland estate! Spanning 5,410 sq ft on a lush 0.67-acre lot backing to a peaceful greenbelt. The chef’s kitchen dazzles with high-end appliances & butler’s pantry, flowing seamlessly into a soaring two-story family room perfect for gatherings. Work from home in the main floor office, then retreat to any of 5 en-suite bedrooms, including the
Alex Jobe Keller Williams Eastside
$1,275,000
Nestled in highly desirable Juanita neighborhood, this beautifully remodeled home features abundant natural light highlighted by new flooring throughout, updated bathrooms, new windows, new paint and fixtures. The inviting brand-new kitchen with quartz countertops, new SS appliances & sliding doors leading to a large deck overlooking a private/fully fenced, park-like backyard. Plenty of parking
Miljan Stijacic Keller Williams Eastside
$1,829 - $2,999 per month
$4,000 per month
Charming 4 bedroom and 2 bathroom mid-century rambler in a Prime Kirkland Location - just minutes from vibrant downtown Kirkland, Juanita Bay, parks, trails, and restaurants! Enjoy indoor-outdoor living with a spacious yard—perfect for entertaining and relaxing. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood with tree-lined streets, this home offers both comfort and convenience. Easy access to I-405, top-rated
Denise Niles Windermere Real Estate/East
$1,925 - $3,495 per month
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Lakeside paradise of rolling hills and homes with stunning views north of Seattle
Retreat from hectic city living with easy access to life's necessities
Quiet lakeside enclave with easy access to city attractions
Luxury homes with great proximity to nature and Downtown Kirkland
Suburban neighborhood situated along Route 405, only 2 miles from Lake Washington
Stunning modern farmhouses, highly sought-after schools and a coveted location
