Soak in the Local Vibes Along Port Orchard’s Charming Waterfront

Photos and content provided by Love Kitsap and the Port Orchard Waterfront Alliance

Miles of shoreline with dozens of unique local shops & brands – Port Orchard is a welcoming cluster of waterfront and inland neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. The historic Port Orchard waterfront is conveniently connected via historic foot ferries that carry passengers across Sinclair Inlet to neighboring Bremerton, leaving every 30 minutes on most days. Ha Tu Ba Di Totem welcomes visitors disembarking the ferry as they arrive at the end of the walkway. The ride is short but very pleasant, and if you’re lucky, you’ll ride the 108-year-old historic Carlisle II Mosquito Fleet era ferry, lovingly referred to as a ‘floating museum’.

The Port Orchard Marina is not only a great place to grab some guest moorage, but also a perfect place to put kayaks in the water, as Sinclair Inlet is usually very calm and makes for pleasant kayaking with great views of the Olympic Mountains, especially at sunset.

Our first stop usually includes a quick latte at one of Bay Street’s many coffee shops. The Coffee Oasis slings solid joe and has yummy quick bites, Carter’s and Co has espresso options among their homemade treats, and Mercantile Coffee Co., inside Josephine’s Mercantile, is a favorite to sit and catch up with a friend or take a breather from shopping. Josephine’s is a wonderland of curated antiques, vintage items, and collectibles…we could wander Jo’s for hours perusing all of the vendor’s unique collections. Right across the street is Gathered by Josephine’s, an extension of Josephine’s Mercantile, with huge corner windows. Gathered is filled with light, vintage pieces, and a curated selection of locally made gifts.

Olde Central Antique Mall is one of the best places to go antiquing on the Kitsap Peninsula…and mere feet from the foot ferry. 40+ vendors fill this space with all manner of rare, vintage, and antique items and collections. As you wander through Olde Central, you never know what treasures you’ll discover!

Next to Gathered is Mainline Music, a specialty shop full of musical instruments of all shapes and sizes. In the Port Orchard Public Market is a handful of sweet shops, including Salmonberry Books and Good Stuff Grocery. Salmonberry is a cute little bookshop that is also stocked with gifts, art, records, and more. Across from Salmonberry Books is Good Stuff Grocery – a beloved bodega that makes delicious sandwiches and bakes beautiful loaves of sourdough. Also on Bay Street is C-Side Records, a hole-in-the-wall record shop that LP lovers will want to spend hours in thumbing through albums. Crows Curiosities is a unique shop carrying a huge collection of unique jewelry, curiosities, candles, and whimsical gifts good for any occasion.

On Saturdays, the waterfront is bustling with local farms and vendors from the Port Orchard Farmers Market, the oldest market on the Kitsap Peninsula. Follow the waterfront boardwalk from the foot ferry to the Port Orchard Waterfront Park and Soroptimist Overlook. This short walk brings you to a pavilion and benches perfect for a picnic or a quick rest with beautiful views. The Port Orchard Waterfront Park is a local favorite for those with kids, and you’ll often see young ones playing on the popular playground. A pedestrian path winds North from the park, past the Soroptimist Overlook, which has a stairwell offering access to a cute little sandy beach. If you choose to follow the path further, you’ll quickly find Rockwell Park - a tiny enclave with seating, tables, and a little sandy beach perfect for relaxing and taking in the view.

At the end of the pedestrian footpath is a great spot for lunch, happy hour or dinner, the one and only Damn Fine Pizza. This big family-friendly pizzeria is known for its yummy pizza, excellent cocktails, and fun pinball room. Port Orchard loves Peninsula Beverage Co. and the vision + team behind this legit local spot. Beer lovers will get lost in the MASSIVE selection on tap, in bottles, and cans. Plus, foodies will love the menu full of comfort favorites. Their patio overlooks Sinclair Inlet and is the perfect place to sip a beer or cider on a hot day. Khao Soi creates yummy Thai classics on Bay Street in a beautiful space with big windows overlooking the sidewalk. La Palapa Mexican Grill’s yummy Mexican food is a stone’s throw from the waterfront. Brickhouse 714 is the place for wraps, sammies, plus it’s the only spot on Bay Street for sweet potato fries.

If you brought your sweet tooth with you to Bay Street, then a stop into The Candy Shoppe! Also, a stop at Carter & Company is a MUST. Treat yourself to yummy homemade ice cream and chocolates, and a huge selection of eats and treats including freshly baked sourdough bread, delicious quiches, and sweet + savory pastries. On the weekends, Dudes Donuts slings vegan, gluten-free cake donuts until they sell out.

View Kitsap Transit’s Passenger Ferry Schedule HERE.