Downtown Woodinville

There really was a Woodin family who were the first European settlers of Woodinville back in the 1880s. And what a legacy they bestowed upon this Puget Sound community. They farmed, raised dairy cows, and fished at their farm along the Sammamish River. Out of necessity, they also functioned as the budding town’s postmasters, Sunday School teachers and primary school teachers. Taking their lead, subsequent Woodinville homesteaders blended necessity with creativity in their daily labors. In logs of early residents, you’ll find brewers, winemakers, artists, bakers and gardeners. Creative enterprise is the undercurrent in Downtown Woodinville today and visitors are drawn to local wineries, restaurants, musical venues and art galleries, as well as to theatres, farmers markets and outdoor attractions such as parks, hiking trails and waterfalls.

Homeseekers from Seattle and Bellevue looking to escape city life or dense suburbs seek out this one-and-a-half square mile wide community. Downtown Woodinville sits conveniently in the middle of the neighborhood. Peaceful tree-lined streets, and large homes with roomy yards define the residential areas. At the same time, Woodinville also offers creative opportunities and outdoor destinations to keep you as busy or relaxed as you desire. As Sam Cunningham with Compass Realty explains, “People who move to Woodinville want a different life than what they’ve had. A bit quieter, more low-key…they want homes with more room, schools with good teachers, and more opportunities for their kids to just go and play outside. Parents enjoy teaching their kids to paddleboard, to fish, and to enjoy live music. This is a great place to raise a family, as the pace is more manageable here than in the city.” Buyers can find homes with about 4,000 square feet for about $3,100,000. Contemporary tri-level homes sell for around $1,000,000. One-bedroom condominiums in Downtown Woodinville start at about $300,000.

Public schools are highly rated in Downtown Woodinville, but families can choose private and charter schools as well. Hollywood Hill Elementary offers pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an A-minus rating from Niche. The Timbercrest Junior High Wolves have an A-rating from Niche and are rated one of the best middle schools in the state. Woodinville High has an enrollment of 1,663 students as of August 2023. Seventy-six percent of graduates plan to attend colleges or universities. Niche gives Woodinville an overall A-rating.

Wilmot Gateway Park provides access to the Sammamish River Trail and offers a playground, plenty of green space, public art sculptures and event space that hosts the annual Woodinville Summer Concert Series. Woodin Creek Park also offers access to the Sammamish River Trail and welcomes visitors to its basketball court, horseshoe pit, tennis court and picnic shelter. It’s notable for its large fir trees and topiary trees that provide shade and visual entertainment. Living in Woodinville offers fresh air, a good walk, four-star dining and wine tasting all in one afternoon when you visit Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Realtor Cunningham says, “Most of the wineries around here have full-service dining options onsite, not to mention live music and outdoor festivals.”

Weekends are a great time to enjoy the Rusty Pelican Café. This well-known family restaurant offers all-day breakfasts, lunch and cocktails, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. If you’re going to claim “Best. Burgers. Ever.” you better have great food. Reviews are resoundingly positive for Tipsy Cow, a local burger bar. They’re also known for carrying local wines, ciders and beer and for making their own artisan breads and buns.

Fresh food is practically a requirement when you go grocery shopping in Downtown Woodinville. The Woodinville Farmers Market is open from May through September and supports local farmers and artisans. Bring the family, catch up with neighbors, or just stroll around and relax. 21 Acres is a revolutionary farm, market, laboratory and educational center all in one place. Founded in 2006, its goal was to be a center for agricultural education and collective action. Since then, they’ve expanded the farm, educated the community about food economics and furthered environmental preservation efforts in and around Woodinville. They’re definitely a great example of the continuation of the Woodin family’s legacy.

Written By

Sarah Albiston

Photography Contributed By

Howard Snyder

Video By

Francesco Basti