Gig
Harbor Community
Information
Gig Harbor, WA
Website
Founded in 1946, Gig Harbor is one of the most picturesque small cities in America.
Located on Gig Harbor Bay in Puget Sound across the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma,
the city has a population of just 6,500 in an area of 4.14 square miles. Clustered
around a small, nearly land-locked harbor with magnificent views of Mt. Rainier,
Gig Harbor is known for boats riding at anchor, colorful winding streets and
small shops where the proprietor is on site to welcome visitors. A strong Scandinavian
and Croatian heritage influences the nautical lifestyle here. Along the downtown
waterfront are art galleries, antique shops, clothing and gift boutiques, marine
hardware stores and restaurants with harbor views. Gig Harbor hosts several annual
events including a classic car show in May and art festival in July. The housing
market is extremely tight with only 2,700 units in the entire city. Condominiums
and townhouses range in price from $50,000 to $350,000. Single-family homes range
from $75,000 to $1 million for waterfront estates with incredible views. The
community reminds some visitors of similar New England communities. In Gig Harbor,
you will find just about every sort of boat that floats. Informal sailing races
are held on Thursday evenings in May and August, sponsored by the Gig Harbor
Yacht
Club. Sailboats, power boats, dinghies, canoes and rowing shells are a frequent
site in Gig Harbor, which is also home to a grand fleet of commercial fishing
vessels, purse seiners, and gillnetters. There is public moorage in downtown
Gig Harbor at Jerisich Park and Dock for 25 cents per foot, with a 24-hour maximum
stay.
There are three
parks within the city limits. The parks are beautiful, functional, and have
a wide variety of amenities to offer. City Park at Crescent Creek is a great
place for small gatherings or a group picnic. There is a covered cooking
area that can be reserved. The Big Toy, tennis courts, and baseball fields
make this park perfect for family gatherings, birthday parties, or a place
to lay out a blanket and read a good book. Jerisich Park offers picnic tables
and restroom facilities and its downtown location is in close proximity to
several shops and restaurants. Grandview Forest Park has just been refurbished
with groomed walking trails and public restrooms. With its view through the
trees of the sound, it makes a wonderful wooded place to hike.
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