Ballard/Sunset Hill

Everyone in Seattle loves Ballard because it is loaded with bars, restaurants, live music venues, cafes, bookstores, clothing boutiques, grocers, and every other kind of retail you can imagine. The historic Ballard Avenue district is especially a pedestrian paradise on Sundays. The Farmers Market takes over and the streets fill with locals buying fresh produce and unique handmade gifts. You’ll also find plenty of trendy and artsy boutiques to explore along the way. Ballard’s nightlife draws people of all ages from around the city to check out live music or claim a spot in one of the dozens of bars and bistros. In more recent years, Ballard has become known for its many breweries and is a destination for beer lovers.

Like the other coastal neighborhoods around Ballard (such as North Beach and Blue Ridge) Sunset Hill is a quiet, residential area. You can smell the salt water drifting in from the lively marinas and docks below. However, only the westernmost homes will enjoy a direct view of Shilshole Bay. It forms a quiet pocket of residences that vary widely in size and design. Residents enjoy easy access to Golden Gardens Park and Shilshole Marina. Of course, central Ballard is also right next door, where dining and shopping options abound.