Oak Harbor is the largest city on Whidbey Island, which is, in turn, the largest island on the west coast of the continental U.S. The city serves as a hub for shopping, dining and nightlife for the northern half of the island. Puget Sound plays a large role in everyday life in town, much of which overlooks the waterfront. Whale sightings are common, and boating and fishing are popular pastimes. Just north of town, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island employs a sizeable chunk of the local population. “Oak Harbor is a great blend of nature while still having the amenities needed for everyday living,” says local Realtor Andrew Hosford, who has lived in the area for eight years. "Within 10 minutes you can be on a boat fishing for salmon, hiking the coastline, mountain biking the local trails, or browsing a farmers’ market for local goodies. The area is one of the more affordable places left in Washington with water views and access."
Whidbey Island's naval air station is a stone's throw from Harbor View.
Harbor View is on Whidbey Island in the scenic Puget Sound area of Washington State.
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Midcentury ranchers and modern subdivisions near Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
In contrast to most of the rest of Whidbey Island, there are relatively few vacation homes in Oak Harbor. Although the town was founded in 1915, the majority of the homes here today were built following the establishment of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in 1941. The residential market is largely made up of midcentury properties near the center of town, and an expanding ring of subdivisions mostly lined with contemporary Craftsman two-story homes. A selection of condos and townhouses are available as well. Condos and townhouses usually sell for $350,000 to $500,000, while the median sales price for a single-family home in 2024 was $545,000.
Oak Harbor has a Mediterranean climate, which essentially means that the sound keeps temperatures mild. The island is in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, so rainfall is substantially less than in nearby Seattle. The city is served by the Oak Harbor Police Department, but overall crime rates are not available.
Although many of the homes are of a similar style in Olympic Gardens, they are all unique.
Craftsman style homes are among the many types seen throughout the Utsalady neighborhood.
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Deception Pass State Park and easy water access
The city oversees a robust local parks system — most neighborhoods in town feature at least a couple of green spaces. Windjammer Park, located near downtown, is the largest of these and includes a beach, walking trails and harbor views. The town is also close to multiple state parks and other wilderness areas. “Many residents go crabbing clamming, salmon fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing even in the colder months," says Hosford. "On land, there are trail systems all around the island for scenic hikes, mountain biking, and exploring." To the north of town, Deception Pass State Park offers miles of hiking trails with stunning views of both Puget Sound and the iconic Deception Pass Bridge. Nearby Dugualla State Park is a little closer to town and a lot less visited, but it still offers scenic Puget Sound-side hikes. Boating and fishing are a big part of life for many locals, and multiple marinas and boat launches can be found in the area.
Ebey's Landing is a stunning beach with outstanding views in the Penn Cove Park neighborhood.
Harbor View visitors can easily pop up to Deception Pass for beautiful views.
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Route 20 shopping and waterfront dining
Shopping in Oak Harbor is concentrated along state Route 20, Whidbey Island’s major arterial road. Shopping centers and retail areas follow the road along its north-south path through town, housing multiple supermarkets and chain retailers along with a few popular local shops like The Book Rack. There are also a number of casual eateries along 20, but many of the city’s most popular eateries are located closer to the waterfront, in Oak Harbor’s historic downtown area. While most amenities are close at hand, it is a 10-mile drive south from Oak Harbor to the nearest major hospital, Whidbey Health Medical Center in nearby Coupeville.
Harbor View offers residents close proximity to downtown shopping.
Coupeville is a beautiful, waterfront town just a few miles south of Olympic Gardens.
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Oak Harbor public schools and Skagit Valley College
The Oak Harbor School District oversees the local public schools and has a B-plus grade on Niche. Oak Harbor High School also has a B-plus grade, and offers dual enrollment courses at Skagit Valley Community College, which has a campus in town.
Oak Harbor High school has a B-plus rating on Niche.com.
Oak Harbor Intermediate School is a public intermediate school in Oak Harbor.
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The Whidbey Island Marathon and other events
Every April, the Whidbey Island Marathon attracts runners from across the Pacific Northwest, while the simultaneous Holland Happening celebrates the city’s Dutch heritage with a parade, food and live acts.
Deception Pass Bridge or the Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry to Seattle
State Route 20 runs through the city, connecting residents to other island communities and Deception Pass Bridge, the island’s only permanent connection to the mainland. Island Transit provides free bus service throughout Whidbey Island, with routes that include stops in Oak Harbor and connections to the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry terminal. It’s about two hours to Seattle via either the ferry or the bridge.
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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.
