$455,091Average Value$273Average Price per Sq Ft22Homes For Sale
Montesano brings small-town life to verdant Grays Harbor County
Founded in 1870, the city of Montesano, affectionately called “Monty” by locals, has a quaint setting. Its Main Street of local businesses is surrounded by historic architecture, including the Beaux Arts style Grays Harbor County Courthouse. “We're more upscale, probably the nicest city in the county. There's very little crime, since it’s a very small town with one stop light,” says Debora Wood, owner of Price & Price Realty, Inc., with about two decades of experience in the area. The community’s population is approximately 4,200, and its CAP Index Crime Score is a 3 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. With untouched forest around it, Montesano has access to the lush nature of Washington state. One of its notable features is a state park, where pine forest and ferns thrive.
Near Montesano, Capitol State Forest is massive and supports the region's timber economy.
Architecture is celebrated in Montesano, with many homes on Main Street donning plaques.
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Main Street local restaurants and shopping
In the heart of Montesano, Main Street consists of walkable blocks of locally owned businesses. “Their downtown commercial district is really nice. The Fishin Hole is pretty popular and so is Gepetto's,” says broker Kristi Christensen, who works with Better Properties Grays Harbor and has about 10 years of experience in the region. Fishin Hole Restaurant serves comfort food in a classic diner setting, while Gepetto's Italian Restaurant Sports Bar has Italian American dishes and a laidback tavern feel. At Lemon Hill Cafe & Bookstore, patrons can look through shelves of new books and then order authentic French meals or specialty drinks. Main Street is also home to the Montesano Timberland Library - W. H. Abel Memorial Library, which has programming from storytimes to book clubs. For grocery shopping, there’s Pick Rite Thriftway and Organics 101 Market + Deli & Juice Bar.
Montesano residents always enjoy getting together at Gepetto's Italian Restaurant Sports Bar.
The Montesano Timberland Library has programming for community members of all ages to access.
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Craftsman bungalows, ranch-style homes, New Traditionals and more in Montesano
Within walking distance of downtown Montesano, the town’s grid-style blocks are lined with historic homes on sparely decorated lawns, many graced with simple shrubbery in front and evergreens in the back. The area still has plenty of greenery, with views of the Olympic National Forest foothills throughout the community. The historic architecture in this central part of the city includes Victorians and Craftsman bungalows, ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. The town continues to spread out with cul-de-sacs and sprawling roads of midcentury architecture, ranch-style homes and split-levels, which are priced similarly to the historic homes. On the outskirts of Montesano, New Traditionals built in the 1990s through today range from $600,000 to $750,000. Woodsy undeveloped land ranges from $10,000 for under an acre to $300,000 for about 30 acres.
Craftsman bungalows abound in Montesano, with some having lush greenery and vibrant colors.
Some of Montesano's sprawling roads end in cul-de-sacs with a range of houses gathered around.
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Water recreation, including Lake Sylvia State Park and Friends Landing
Lake Sylvia State Park is a former logging site on the north side of Montesano. Its dense evergreens encircle a reservoir, which offers a swimming beach and kayaking. “The hiking trails are popular. The city owns the forest around the state park and provides a map for hiking and bicycling,” Wood says. Three rivers converge on Montesano’s south side, where the many water recreation areas include Friends Landing. This camp site on the Chehalis River has a paved 1.5-mile walking trail around Lake Quigg, ideal for bird watching. The park features boat launches and fishing docks at the lake as well as on the river. Kelsey Park, on the town’s north end, has ballfields, picnic tables and a playground. For more recreation in the wilderness, the Olympic National Forest is north of the community, while the Capitol State Forest lies south of Montesano.
Lake Sylvia State Park is a popular spot near Montesano for folks looking to fish for trout.
At Friends Landing, Montesano residents can use one of the fishing docks on the Chehalis River.
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Education from Beacon Avenue Elementary to J.M. Montesano Junior/Senior High
Beacon Avenue Elementary School has a B-plus rating, while Simpson Avenue Elementary School earns a B. J.M. Montesano Junior/Senior High School has a C-plus rating. Its extracurriculars include Art Club and Knowledge Bowl.
Montesano students can attend Beacon Avenue Elementary School to start their learning careers.
At J.M. Montesano Junior/Senior High School, students can enjoy pursuing extracurriculars.
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The Festival of Lights and the Historic Montesano Car Show
The annual Festival of Lights, Montesano’s biggest event, is a holiday extravaganza spanning three days in mid-December. The activities range from a home decoration contest to a parade featuring bedecked tractors to a Christmas music concert. The Historic Montesano Car Show brings the town to life in July, with live music and a contest for vintage vehicles.
A 10-mile drive to Aberdeen, 40 miles to Olympia and more transportation
Much of Montesano is walkable, with some residents’ homes only blocks away from local workplaces like the courthouse. The commute to Aberdeen takes about 10 miles via U.S. Highway 12. The town is located about 40 miles from Olympia via State Route 8. For public transportation, the Grays Harbor Transit bus system serves the community, with the Montesano Transit Center just east of downtown Montesano. The closest major airport is the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, located about 90 miles away.
The Montesano Transit Center accommodates a modest fleet of buses to help folks get around.
When Montesano residents want to fly, they can head to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
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Written By
Anna Anderson
Photography Contributed By
Landon Gauthier
Video By
Luke Basinger
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jason Munoz,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Montesano, WA sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Montesano, WA over the last 12 months is $397,450, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The perfect place to call home! This charming single-story residence offers comfort, space, and privacy in a prime location—ideal for anyone looking to spread out and enjoy the best of indoor-outdoor living. Step inside to an open-concept layout where the living room, dining, and kitchen area flow together beautifully—perfect for gatherings or entertaining guests. 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, there’s
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