The inland sea is most of who we are. It’s the source of food and weather, transportation and inspiration. The saltwater offers a sparkling view, a respite, and a place to play. There’s a reason the whales come here all the way from Mexico.
If you’re not familiar with our neck of the Salish Sea (sometimes called Puget Sound, though Puget Sound is just one part of the larger Salish Sea), it’s a remarkable inland body of salt water that’s home to many thousands of diverse species. Seattle NorthCountry has more than 90 miles of coastline and offshore islands waiting to be explored.
The Coastal Communities of the Salish Sea offer a briny taste of the #TruePNW.
Edmonds | Everett | Marysville | Mukilteo | Stanwood | Tulalip
Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) | Edmonds Ferry Terminal | Mukilteo Ferry Terminal
Edmonds Marine Walkway | Edmonds Underwater Park | Camano Island | Everett Waterfront | Jetty Island | Mukilteo Lighthouse Park | Kayak Point | SUP and Kayak Rentals | Tulalip Resort Casino | Seattle Premium Outlets | Puget Sound Express Whale Watching
From the sea comes a bounty for the senses. There are tidepools and secret islands waiting to be explored, art galleries and cozy coffee shops to tuck into after a day of beachcombing. Soak in the sweeping views the Olympic Mountains, or soak up the clam and mussel broth, you choose!
Edmonds is a walkable waterfront town with miles of inviting beaches, spectacular views, and public art at every turn.
Art is woven into every fiber of Edmonds, so much so that it was declared Washington State’s first Creative District. From the culinary and liquid arts to the visual and literary arts, the energy here is hopped up on creativity and beauty. Some speculate that it’s due to the beautiful location just north of Seattle on the Salish Sea. Locals and visitors alike walk the waterfront trail just to take in the sunsets over the Olympic Mountains. The waterfront includes beachfront parks, a popular fishing pier, a marine sanctuary, and marina. Scuba divers from all over the nation come to explore the underwater dive park at Brackett’s Landing. Stroll downtown and enjoy sidewalk cafes, art galleries, and boutique shopping.
Mukilteo is a scenic seaside community with stunning views of Possession Sound and the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Northern Cascade Mountains to the east.
Mukilteo is the home to the historic 1906 Mukilteo Light Station, located within Lighthouse Park. The park offers many amenities including an accessible beach, picnic area, playground, and boat launch. Visitors will enjoy exploring the delightful shops and restaurants of this quaint seaside town, as well as the waterfront parks. The Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry provides the opportunity for a great walk-on boat ride (approximately 60 minutes round trip), or take your car for a full-day excursion to Whidbey Island, Deception Pass or the Olympic Peninsula.
Stanwood is a small town with Scandinavian heritage and a whole lot of natural beauty.
Stanwood was settled in 1866 as a trading post on the “flats” at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River. The Pearson House Museum holds many of the area’s artifacts, and coupled with the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, is a must-see stop. Stanwood farms feature fresh locally grown produce seven days/week in the spring, summer, and fall. The Viking Village is the site for a farmer’s market throughout the summer. Kayak Point is a go-to destination for crabbing, windsurfing, fishing, SCUBA diving, hiking, and stand up paddle boarding, as well as being a popular stop on the Cascade Marine Trail. Stanwood is the gateway to beautiful Camano Island, where you will find Camano Island State Park and Cama Beach State Park.
Make the most of the coast with beachcombing, cultural experiences, and luxury touches. Explore more of the cities and amenities of the Salish Sea Coastal Communities below.
Get local insights on where to find great eats, the best excursions, standout small businesses, outdoor adventure ideas, and much, much more by checking out these great reads.
Small businesses are so much about what we love in our community. The hustling solopreneur with a dream, the craftsperson scaling a small loan into a legacy business, the cultural creators working from a pop-up shop. These are our favorite people.
The Coastal Communities are integrally connected to art. You can get hands-on at the Salish Sea Ceramic Studio in downtown Everett, mere blocks from the waterfront. Floor-to-ceiling windows let seaside light into the studio. Rent a wheel, take a class to hone your skills, and get your handiwork fired in the kiln. Book a custom pottery-making session at the Salish Ceramic Studio for the perfect romantic date.
To appreciate art is an edifying thing. To stick your hands in wet clay and experience it firsthand as an outlet for your creativity… that’s taking it to a whole other level.
Glimpse a whale, shuck an oyster, cast a line. The coast offers more seaside experiences than you can shake a paddle at. Inspiring views of the water inform the arts, cuisine, and abundant outdoor culture that makes the Pacific Northwest an international destination for maritime adventure.
There's a little bit of everything within the four visitor regions of Snohomish County, WA. Seattle NorthCountry is uniquely situated between the water and the mountains in the heart of aviation country. As such, you can easily access the many cultures — the nautical, artistic, outdoors, and farming communities — that make up the essence of Pacific Northwest. Use the clickable interactive map below to find more information and content about each of our regions.
Skykomish & Snohomish River Valleys
Salish Sea Coastal Communities
The inland sea is most of who we are. It’s the source of food and weather, transportation and inspiration. The saltwater offers a sparkling view, a respite, and a place to play…
Urban Basecamp
Urban Basecamp is the diverse, metropolitan heart of Seattle NorthCountry. Artists can afford to live in these old brick and timber mill cities; makers are tucked away in urban spaces, painting, jamming…
Stillaguamish & Sauk River Valleys
Rooted in folkways - where older traditions meet modern iterations of Pacific Northwest culture - the small working towns of this valley still resonate with stories of indgenous peoples, lumberjack and mining…
What to do in a place that has it all? We get that a lot. Seattle NorthCountry is packed with experiences stretching from the Cascade Mountains to the Salish Sea. Here are some adventure ideas to get you headed in the right direction.
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