Wandering the West Side of Vashon Island
- Wizard of Wandering
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
There’s something about boarding a ferry that instantly feels like a mini-vacation — even if you’re only crossing a short stretch of water. We set out from Southworth on a clear Pacific Northwest morning, coffee in hand, ready for a day of exploration on Vashon Island.
Vashon sits quietly between Seattle and Tacoma in Puget Sound, reachable only by ferry. No bridges. No rush-hour shortcuts. Just boats, tides, and island time. Historically, Vashon and neighboring Maury Island were separate until a sandbar connected them over time. The island was home to Coastal Salish tribes long before European settlement, and its agricultural roots still run deep today.
We boarded with that familiar ferry hum beneath our feet and crossed the sound toward a day of curiosity-driven adventure — this time focusing on the west side of the island. From our home on the Olympic Peninsula, we look across the water at that very shoreline and often wonder: What’s over there?
Today, we would find out.
Breakfast at The Hardware Store (No, Really!!)
First stop: Vashon town center.
If you’ve never eaten at The Hardware Store Restaurant, don’t let the name fool you. We weren't handed a wrench with our breakfast! While it hasn’t sold nails or hammers in decades, it does serve up some of the best breakfasts on the island. The building dates back to the early 20th century and stepping inside feels like stepping into a community gathering place — which it is.
We fueled up on a delicious breakfast (the kind that requires a second cup of coffee and possibly a short walk afterward) before pointing the Jeep west.
North End Explorations: Cove Road & Quiet Fields
We began at the north end, heading out Cove Road toward — you guessed it — Cove.
On previous trips, we’d spent most of our time exploring the center and east side of Vashon. But today, we were determined to see the side that stares back at us across the water.
Cove greeted us with wide-open fields, older homes, and that peaceful rural quiet Vashon does so well. The north end feels especially untouched — the kind of place where you half expect to see someone riding a horse down the road or tending to a small orchard.
We skipped a couple of northern spots this time — Fern Cove and Sylvan Beach — but if you’re planning a visit, both are worth a stop. Fern Cove is known for its shoreline access and birdlife, while Sylvan Beach has that tucked-away, local-secret feel.
Madrona Road & A Hidden Beach
Next, we headed south along Westside Highway, turning onto Madrona Road and following it all the way to the end.
There’s something about driving a road to its very end that feels satisfying — like finishing a good chapter.
At the end, we found a small beach, quiet and unassuming. Driftwood logs, soft shoreline, and the expansive view across Puget Sound. The west side of Vashon offers a broad-water feel — more open horizon, more sky.
It’s a wonderful place to sit, breathe, and remember that life doesn’t always have to move at mainland speed.
Lisabuela Road & Christianson Cove
Continuing south, we turned onto SW 220th St, then onto SW Lisabuela Road, taking it all the way down to a small waterfront park.
This spot felt like a local secret.
A big grassy lawn. A small parking area. Port-a-potties (always appreciated). And a beach on the north side of Christianson Cove and Christianson Creek.
This cove holds memories — years ago, I remember catching cutthroat trout from a boat out in the water here. Standing there again brought back that unmistakable Pacific Northwest nostalgia — cool water, quiet shoreline, and the possibility that something might tug on the fishing line.
It’s these little shoreline parks that make Vashon feel so accessible and welcoming.
Wax Orchard Road SW – What’s in a Name?
Heading back toward the island’s flatter farmland, we turned onto Wax Orchard Road SW.
Naturally, we had questions about the name.
While the exact origin isn’t widely documented, the island’s agricultural history offers clues. Vashon was once heavily agricultural, famous for apples, cherries, and berries. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, orchards covered large portions of the island. The name “Wax Orchard” likely refers to apple varieties known for their glossy, waxy skins — a subtle nod to the island’s fruit-growing past.
Driving this stretch, you can still see signs of that farming history — open fields, barns, and that expansive rural feeling that defines much of Vashon’s interior.
It’s one of the reasons a Vashon Island day trip feels different from other Puget Sound destinations — it still feels like a working rural community.
Camp Sealth: Moss, Trails & Campfires
One stop we were especially curious about was Camp Sealth, the historic Camp Fire Girls Camp.
From the water, Camp Sealth looks like a cluster of buildings tucked into the shoreline trees.
But from land, we were surprised by the network of trails, horseback areas, and charming moss-covered cabins. The camp has operated for over a century, serving generations of campers. It's like campfire songs still linger in the trees.
It’s charming, nostalgic, and wonderfully Pacific Northwest.
Spring Beach: Expectations vs. Reality
Our final west side destination was Spring Beach.
We’ve looked at this beach from across the water so many times. From home, it appears peaceful, inviting — a perfect stretch of shoreline. So naturally, we were excited to see it from land.
Up close? A bit of disrepair above the shoreline and away from the beach.
It was a reminder that distance can soften details. Still, the shoreline itself remains beautiful — wide views, salt air, driftwood scattered like art installations courtesy of the tide.
Not every stop has to be perfect to be worthwhile.
Back to Tahlequah & the Chetzemoka
We eventually made our way back to Vashon Highway, with a few spontaneous stops along the way (because island exploring should never be rushed).
At the southern tip of the island, we lined up at the Tahlequah ferry terminal and boarded the Chetzemoka — a Kwa-di Tabil-class ferry named after Chief Chetzemoka of the S’Klallam Tribe in the Port Townsend area. The ferry naming tradition reflects the region’s deep Indigenous history — a meaningful reminder that these waters have stories far older than ferry routes.
The ferry ride back felt like the perfect closing chapter to the day. Relaxed. Quiet. A little windswept.
Other West Side Spots for Future Exploring
If you’re planning your own Vashon adventure, here are a few additional places to consider - not necessarily on the west side - but worth every minute:
KVI Beach (Point Heyer) – Long sandy stretches and great walking at low tide - voted best place to build a sandcastle!
Maury Island Marine Park – Dramatic bluffs and geological history
Dockton Forest – Hiking and mountain biking trails
Palouse Winery – Wine with a view
Final Thoughts: Why the West Side Was Worth It
What did we find on the west side of Vashon?
Open fields. Quiet beaches. Nostalgia. A few surprises. A reminder that sometimes the best adventures are simply following roads to their very end.
We’ve spent a lot of time looking across the water wondering about that shoreline. Now when we look over, we won’t just see trees and houses.
We’ll see Cove, Christianson Creek, moss-covered cabins, and a little beach at the end of Madrona Road.
And we’ll remember a day when curiosity led the way.
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