Olympia’s West Bay Drive neighborhood is located along its namesake, which runs along the western shores of Budd Inlet, offering waterfront views and easy access to the city’s historic downtown. The neighborhood is a great landing spot for those trying to split the difference between a central location and woodsy, Pacific Northwest ambiance. “Most people who move there move there specifically to be close to the water,” says Realtor Sue Smith of Olympic Sotheby’s International. “It’s kind of the whole point of the neighborhood. The area is also close to downtown and West Olympia."
West Bay Drive residents enjoy beautiful views of the harbor.
A row of large of homes with harbor views is seen in West Bay Drive.
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From luxury homes to houseboats
West Bay Drive’s housing market has more than just high-end waterfront homes — in fact, it has one of the more varied inventories in town. Options range from custom-built hillside homes with views of the bay and downtown to modern condos to houseboats at West Bay Marina. Water views were prioritized in the construction of most homes in the neighborhood, so second-floor decks and large east-facing windows are common. Housing inventory in the neighborhood is limited, as a sizeable chunk of the northern half of the neighborhood is taken up by West Bay Woods. Condos and smaller single-family homes in the neighborhood typically go for $300,000 to $600,000, while modern luxury homes go for anywhere from $700,000 to a little over $1 million. Houseboat prices can vary dramatically, from under $100,000 to over $300,000.
Luxury homes are often seen in West Bay Drive.
Houseboats are an option for those who love the water in West Bay Drive.
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Bayside parks and Puget Sound access
West Bay Park sits right along the shore of Budd Inlet and features coastal walking paths, picnic areas and a small beach area where locals can enjoy the views across the inlet toward downtown Olympia. It’s a popular spot for walking dogs or just relaxing by the water. To the north of the park, West Bay Woods is a city-maintained preserve intended to provide a buffer for a local heron rookery, and it features a short nature trail popular with local mushroom hunters. About a mile north of the neighborhood, Olympia Country & Golf Club is a private 18-hole golf course with great views of Puget Sound. Of course, the sound itself is the most significant and most striking outdoor space in the area. Boating, fishing and paddleboarding are popular hobbies in the neighborhood, and many residents keep boats at West Bay Marina or The Olympia Yacht Club.
Enjoy the greenery at West Bay Park in Olympia.
Take a boat ride around the harbor at the West Bay Marina in West Bay Drive.
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Capital High's tech-heavy curriculum
Most school-age kids in the neighborhood attend the local public schools, which are overseen by the highly rated Olympia School District, which has an A-minus rating on Niche. Garfield Elementary has a B on the site, Jefferson Middle School has an impressive A grade and Capital High School has an A-minus. Capital High emphasizes computer and technical literacy among its students via its 1:1 Chromebook initiative, which provides every student with their own laptop. Its popular Tech Prep at SPSCC program lets students take technical courses at nearby South Puget Sound Community College.
Students are the highest priority at Jefferson Middle School in Olympia.
Educational opportunities abound at Capital High School in Olympia.
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Close to downtown Olympia
West Bay Drive doesn’t have a lot of its own retail or dining options, apart from popular seafood spot Tugboat Annie’s, which overlooks the West Bay Marina on the north side of the neighborhood. However, the community is just down the road from Olympia’s buzzy downtown Historic District, which is 1 to 2 miles from just about every home in the neighborhood. Downtown is the heart of the local arts and entertainment scene and features popular local shops like Browsers Bookshop and Rainy Day Records. Downtown is also home to Olympia’s renowned farmers market, which runs Thursday through Friday from April to October, along with many of the most popular bars and restaurants in the Olympia-Tumwater area. Big box shopping can be found relatively close to the neighborhood as well, as the shopping centers in West Olympia — including the expansive Capitol Mall — are within a 2-mile drive of most of the neighborhood.
Explore the arts and culture of Downtown Olympia near West Bay Drive.
Sit at the bar or grab a booth at Tugboat Annie's in West Bay Drive.
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Getting around Olympia
“Proximity to downtown is a big draw for the neighborhood,” says Smith. “It’s not quite within walking distance, but it’s a very short drive.” The neighborhood’s namesake, West Bay Drive, is the main thoroughfare in the area, connecting residents to downtown Olympia and Harrison Avenue. It’s less than 2 miles from the neighborhood to downtown Olympia and The Washington State Capitol Building and Campus to the southeast, and less than 2 miles to the vast shopping centers of West Olympia to the southwest. Buses run by Intercity Transit pass along West Bay Drive regularly, though using them to get anywhere other than downtown will require a transfer.
West Bay Drive residents have convenient access to public transportation.
Residents of West Bay Drive can enjoy more shopping and dining in Downtown Olympia.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Keenan French,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Park of the Seven Oars
West Bay Park
Rotary International Park
West Bay Woods
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
67
Median Year Built
1986
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,082
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,660
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,567
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,325
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Keenan French,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
287
Median Age
46
Population under 18
17.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$93,055
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$112,139
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.4%
College Graduates
56%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.8%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
5''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
36/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
32/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
37/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
