Gig Harbor, called the "Maritime City," provides a peaceful, quiet setting on a peninsula surrounded by inlets and bays of southern Puget Sound. A more relaxed lifestyle and slower pace of life are part of its appeal. Boating and water recreation are a big part of the culture. "We're on the map," says Stephanie Patrick, a real estate broker at Re/Max Exclusive and a Gig Harbor resident. "There are people who are migrating here to get out from the hustle and bustle." The population is approaching 12,800.
Gig Harbor's historic waterfront downtown has many locally owned shops and restaurants. Tourism supports the economy most of the year. Many retirees live in Gig Harbor, but people who do commute might head to Tacoma, about 15 miles southwest. Area employers include the Port of Tacoma, Amazon, Microsoft and Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM), a military installation.
Gig Harbor sits on a peninsula surrounded by inlets and bays of southern Puget Sound.
Gig Harbor's historic waterfront downtown has many locally owned shops and restaurants.
A more relaxed lifestyle and slower pace of life are part of Gig Harbor's appeal.
The famous Museum of Glass in Tacoma.
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Downtown's shops and eateries; more at Uptown Gig Harbor
Downtown, Gig Harbor's walkable waterfront business district has over 50 businesses, many of which are locally owned. There are boutiques, eateries, salons and art galleries. B's Bagels and Butters is a morning go-to. Patrick points out the Mexican restaurant El Pueblito: "Everyone knows it. It's owned by the Lopez family, and they're wonderful people," she says. "They treat the local people special. They know your name and know what your order is." Morso Bistro has New American cuisine and wine in an upscale environment. Since it has docks, 7 Seas Brewing is accessible by land or sea. It was the first craft brewery in the state to can its own beer.
Retail areas toward the south end of Gig Harbor include Uptown Gig Harbor, an outdoor shopping center with more than 30 stores. Uptown's Galaxy Theatres and IMAX plays first-run movies and hosts the annual Gig Harbor Film Festival in September. The self-guided art walk leads to a dozen art installations placed throughout Uptown. Grocers in Gig Harbor include Metropolitan Market, Harbor Greens and Safeway.
7 Seas Brewery was the first craft brewery in the state to can its beer.
Morso Bistro has New American cuisine and wine in an upscale environment.
Enjoy a delicious meal at one of Gig Harbor’s many amazing bayside restaurants.
Locally owned Mexican restaurant El Pueblito is known for its warm, friendly atmosphere.
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Water recreation, events like the Maritime Gig Festival
Activities on the water are at the forefront of Gig Harbor recreation. Lots of boating is going on; several marinas are available. Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular. "In summertime in the Harbor, you have many people basking in the sun," Patrick says. "There's a lighthouse that's public, and people just hang out there on that peninsula."
Gig Harbor has many events that bring its engaged community together. "The people are really nice, and they're proud of their community and look out for one another," Patrick says. Maritime Gig Festival, held the first weekend in June and attended by thousands, celebrates the city's heritage with parades, vendors and live music. The festivities include the Blessing of the Fleet, which has honored the city's fishing heritage for over 50 years. Holidays in the Harbor is a series of events held throughout December, including a parade with lighted boats and cars. During the summer, there is a park concert series and the Waterfront Farmers Market.
Activities on the water are at the forefront of Gig Harbor recreation.
The lighthouse in Gig Harbor is public and a great place to enjoy the view.
Kayaking and paddleboarding are just a few of the things you can do in Gig Harbor.
Enjoy a summer concert at the park in Gig Harbor.
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Skansie Brothers Park history and the Fishermen’s Memorial
Skansie Brothers Park is named after four fishermen and boatbuilding brothers based here in the early 20th century. By that time, many families of Croatian descent had settled in the area to work in the fishing industry. The park includes the historical Skansie Brothers House and a netshed, a structure for storing nets and other fishing gear. The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is invested in keeping Gig Harbor's remaining netsheds for posterity. The Fishermen's Memorial at the park is dedicated to those who lost their lives at sea.
Crescent Creek Park, also called "City Park," has playgrounds and athletic fields. The Madrona Links Golf Course on 22nd Avenue in the southern portion of Gig Harbor offers daily tee times to the public.
Crescent Creek Park, also called "City Park," has playgrounds and athletic fields.
The Fishermen's Memorial in the park honors those who lost their lives at sea.
The Skansie Brothers Netshed is a historic building in the Gig Harbor neighborhood.
Madrona Links Golf Course on 22nd Ave in south Gig Harbor offers public daily tee times.
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Homes options from under $100k to $3.5 million
The average home cost for Gig Harbor is around $1 million, compared to others in Pierce County, which has an average of close to $600,000. Some communities are gated. Single-family homes are the most common housing type, ranging from the $500,000s to $3.5 million. On the low end are three-bedroom contemporary homes of about 2,000 square feet; on the high end are custom homes of over 4,000 square feet on half-acre lots or with water access. "Anywhere downtown or on the waterfront is typically traditional. There are Victorians and Craftsmans," Patrick says. "There are rules downtown to keep the downtown looking historic." Condos start in the $300,000s and townhouses in the $400,000s. Manufactured homes communities, including 55-and-up options, have prices from $80,000 to $150,000.
Manufactured home communities, including 55+ options, range from $80,000 to $150,000.
There are a few gated communities in Gig Harbor.
The average home cost for Gig Harbor is around $1 million, compared to others in Pierce County.
Single-family homes are the most common, priced from $500,000 to $3.5 million.
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Peninsula School District has a Purple Star designation
Gig Harbor public schools are in the Peninsula School District, which earns an A-minus grade from Niche and has about 9,000 students. As a Purple Star Designated School District, Peninsula specializes in supporting students from military families. Over 60,000 family members are part of JBLM. Among schools closest to Gig Harbor, Discovery Elementary School and Harbor Ridge Middle School both receive an A-minus from Niche. Gig Harbor High School has a four-year graduation rate of about 94% and a B-plus rating.
Downtown's Harbor History Museum incorporates an original one-room schoolhouse into its public education program. Over 1,000 students visit the museum each year and many participate in the Midway School Experience, which includes costumed interpreters.
Discovery Elementary School serves students in grades K-5.
Gig Harbor High School is a beautiful campus with large city amenities.
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Buses, a summer trolley and state Route 16
Most of Gig Harbor's streets are walkable, with sidewalks. The paved Cushman Trail for pedestrians and cyclists spans 6 miles through the city. Pierce Transit's Bus Route 100 travels south and north from Purdy Park & Ride in north Gig Harbor to the TTC Transit Center in Tacoma. There's also service to Seattle on Sound Transit Bus Route 595. The two stops in Gig Harbor are Purdy and Kimball Drive Park & Ride. Pierce Transit operates a trolley between the downtown waterfront, Harbor Hill and Uptown Harbor during July and August.
Otherwise, Gig Harbor is car-dependent. State Route 16 is the main thoroughfare, and it's about a 15-mile drive to Tacoma, which includes crossing over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which has a toll for eastbound travel. The Sound and Vashon Island are between Gig Harbor and Seattle, making travel by land longer than the actual geographical distance. As a result, the trip on SR-16 and Interstate 5 to Seattle totals about 45 miles. Another route would from the Southworth Dock, about 20 miles north of Gig Harbor. From there, Kitsap Transit's Southworth Fast Ferry to Seattle's Pier 50 trip takes about 30 minutes.
Tacoma Narrows Airport in Gig Harbor is mainly used for general aviation and business jet travel. It also has businesses, including the restaurant The Hub at Gig Harbor. Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is about a 35-mile drive from downtown Gig Harbor.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about a 35-mile drive from downtown Gig Harbor.
Gig Harbor is car dependent. State Route 16 is the main thoroughfare for the area.
Most of Gig Harbor's streets are walkable and pet friendly.
Kimball Drive Park & Ride has stops for Pierce Transit and the historic trolley.
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Gig Harbor crime decreases, aside from drug violations
FBI statistics show that the rates of violent offenses in Gig Harbor are generally lower than in the state and nationwide. The Gig Harbor Police Department (GHPD) reported a decrease in stolen property offenses, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts from 2022 to 2023. Drug violations more than tripled, with 23 incidents, over the same span.
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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.
