The Westside has a considerable reach, including homes along Olympia’s West Bay Drive that overlook the Puget Sound and the Port of Olympia. Harrison Avenue is a popular thoroughfare on the Westside that is lined by businesses and residential neighborhoods that splinter off from the main road. The Westside also extends further west to Cooper Point Road and winds up near Sunset Beach Drive, which borders Eld Inlet.
Olympic Sotheby’s Real Estate Expert Finds Westside Neighborhood In-Demand
According to Nelson Taylor, real estate broker for Olympic Sotheby’s International Realty, the Westside has been known to be a popular neighborhood for prospective homebuyers for its centralized location, serene atmosphere and quality schools. Taylor has found that homes in close proximity to Cooper Point Road and the Olympia Country and Golf Club to be especially sought-after.
With Downtown Olympia and the State Capitol Campus only a 5- to 10-minute drive away, many portions of the Westside contain suburban streets with single-family homes. Taylor describes the homes available in the Westside as a sort of fusion, including single-level rambler and two-story houses, modern constructions, as well as historic homes that were made around the mid-20th century.
Taylor adds that certain homes of the Westside may also be built on larger lots, including those measuring just over one acre in size. Recent developments are also part of the Westside’s footprint, including in the Goldcrest neighborhood off of Cooper Point Road, as well as a wide swath of apartment units located near Capital Mall and Multicare Capital Medical Center.
Real Estate Near Olympia’s Westside Is Teeming With Community Parks and Greenspaces
Sprinkled between the Westside’s residential neighborhoods and commerce are a collection of parks and nature trails that are ideal for residents seeking a temporary outdoor getaway, including Decatur Woods Park, Yauger Park and Garfield Nature Trail Park. West Bay Park covers just over 17 acres along West Bay Drive, and is best known for its sweeping waterfront landscapes of the Puget Sound, Port of Olympia and the State Capitol. The park is home to paved walkways, benches, viewing areas, picnic tables and large swaths of grass, ideal for laying out a blanket and taking in the breathtaking sights and sounds of the coast. Upright paddle boarders and kayakers may also appreciate the park’s boat launch that is intended for hand-held watercraft.
In the heart of the Westside, Woodruff Park sits along Harrison Avenue and measures in at 2.46 acres. Despite the park’s smaller footprint, it is home to endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, including a basketball court, two tennis courts and four pickleball courts. In the warmer months, it is common to see park goers playing volleyball from the park’s grass volleyball court or cooling off in the sprayground that operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. With Eagan’s Westside Drive-In located across the street, visitors to Woodruff Park may enjoy the eatery’s signature crinkle fries or a twist soft-serve cone from one of the park’s picnic tables.
For more than a decade, West Central Park has transformed into a vibrant suburban oasis that continues to flourish through a grassroots community effort. Placed along the busy Harrison Avenue, park visitors have a buffer from the bustling nearby traffic through lush trees, shrubs and other plant life that have been planted around the park’s perimeter. Throughout the year, West Central Park also plays host to a range of seasonal events, including the Saturday Market at the West Central Park.
Olympia’s Prime Real Estate in the Westside Is Next Door to Local Favorite Restaurants and Recreation
The West Central Park Neighborhood Center features the Food Truck Court with mobile establishments that have taken up residency beside West Central Park, including All About Pad Thai. Park visitors may also step into the Park Side Cafe for a diverse, primarily plant-based menu that ranges from biscuits and gravy, to pizza hand pie, to pumpkin chili. The cafe also has a tea, coffee and espresso-based drink menu, including Italian sodas, cold brew lattes and tea lattes.
Dining options continue to be a delight throughout the Westside, and many neighborhoods off of Harrison Avenue are a brief walk or drive away from a full spectrum of restaurants and cafes including Basil Leaf Restaurant, Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar and Vic’s Pizzeria. According to Taylor, Hash is the prime place for breakfast and brunch on the Westside along Harrison Avenue. Hash serves a fresh approach to breakfast classics through specials like the jalapeno popper omelette and potato pancakes. Olympia’s Westside takes a slice out of New York City cuisine through 6th Borough Bagels, including their signature smoked salmon, veggie and apple spice schmears.
Koibito Japanese Sushi offers a wide selection of teriyaki dishes, sushi burritos and sushi rolls, including the Harrison roll, Evergreen roll and Downtown roll. On the shores of West Bay, Tugboat Annie’s is a sure spot for seafood and comfort dishes, from fish and chips to jambalaya, to prime rib.
While living in the Westside, a day of fun at Capital Mall is always in close reach, including over 100 retailers, the Cinemark Century Olympia movie theater, West Olympia Timberland Library and the Artists’ Gallery, which displays works crafted by South Sound creatives. Westside Lanes has been a longtime favorite for bowling nights with family and friends, birthday celebrations and recreational bowling leagues for youth, adults and seniors.
To learn more about real estate available in Olympia’s Westside, visit the Olympic Sotheby’s International Realty website.
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