North Mason County plays host to enchanting
Case Inlet
,
located in the South Puget Sound region of western Washington State. Here the
abundance of scenic marine waterways provides a virtual Mecca for boaters
and lovers of saltwater recreation. A bird's eye view shows a
winding network of bays and passages, flanked by high
and low bank beaches and an unrivaled view of Mt Rainier to the south. Easily accessible
from the I-5 corridor, many Case Inlet waterfront residents enjoy the
benefit of a reasonable commute to nearby metropolitan areas, while coming
home to the peaceful and stress-free lifestyle of a friendly small-town
rural community environment.
The spectacular beauty of the area has easily endured the passage of time,
ever since the early explorers of the area first crossed over a remote
Indian trail from the headwaters of
Hood Canal
to the shores of North Bay. In 1841 a crew of men led by Lieutenant
Augustus Case hiked the inland passage, which resulted in their discovery
of new waters, subsequently named "Case Inlet" in his honor.
Today, the tidewaters of Case Inlet still lap peacefully along the
shoreline as seasonal salmon migrate northward to local creeks and
majestic bald eagles fly
freely overhead. Where Indian camps once dotted the landscape,
waterfront homes now nestle beneath tall evergreens. Many of these
homes have been built on deep lots, maximizing their privacy and opening
to vast skylines featuring early morning sunrises over quiet country
beaches. The absence of large metropolitan development in the area
contributes to the rural serenity that North Mason County residents
appreciate on a daily basis.
Case Inlet has a length of nearly 20 miles, ranging from the warmer shallow
waters of North Bay fronted on the west by the Village of
Allyn
, and on the east by
the Victor shoreline. From there it extends south along the shores
of the small community of Grapeview, and becomes Pickering Passage, which
separates the mainland from Harstine Island. The Village of
Allyn
serves as the gateway to most of the area.
Case Inlet features several unique and romantic island communities, including tiny Treasure Island and Stretch (or Reach) Island accessible off the Grapeview Loop Road and the largely rural Harstine Island, located off State Route 3. The priceless tranquility enjoyed by residents as they cross "over the bridge" to homes on these islands adds an incredibly peaceful dimension to the quality of life offered throughout the North Mason county area. Click here to see the Treasure Island, Case Inlet and other Photo Galleries
...He chose the name "
Grapeview
"...
In the early 1920's, Walter Eckert, postmaster for the rural community then known as "Detroit, Washington," proposed a name change for the area. He chose the name "Grapeview," because in those days, acres of vineyards stretched as far as the eye could see. Farming was the favored occupation and neighbors pitched in to help each other clear land, build barns and plant the fields. Grapes soon became the number one crop in the area, with the Island Belle strain emerging as the most ideally suited for ripening along the shores of Case Inlet . Local farmers still market their annual harvest to the Hoodsport Winery on Hood Canal .
...popular waterways for local
residents who enjoy kayaking, boating, fishing, beachcombing, and water
sports of all kinds...
Known for it's wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities,
Case Inlet
and it's surrounding area are
popular waterways for
local residents who enjoy kayaking, boating, fishing, beachcombing, and
water sports of all kinds.
Walking the beach at low tide
invites exploration and discovery with an
abundance of shellfish gathering opportunities at your doorstep. Many residents enjoy feasting on
clams, Dungeness crab and native oysters, sharing the local bounty with
guests and neighbors.
The saltwaters of
Case Inlet
are a virtual supermarket for local seafood, easily available
and always "fresh off the beach!"
...The saltwaters of Case Inlet are a virtual supermarket for local seafood...
Many Case Inlet residents are still seasonal, vacationing on beachfront
properties from the nearby metropolitan areas of Seattle, Tacoma,
Portland, Olympia, Everett, Grays Harbor County and beyond. And,
while many people opt to retire here, more and more young families are
choosing
Case Inlet as their permanent home, once they fall in love with
the area and recognize the benefits of raising their children away from
the mainstream of busy city life. The
North Mason School District
, with it's high achievement test scores and
reputation for academic excellence, has played an important role for new
families considering the area. come for a visit, spend the day and
explore the beauty of the area. Year-round, the waters of
Case Inlet
shimmer with an unsurpassed beauty and a tranquil serenity that is
guaranteed to feed your soul.
how to get here:
Travel time from Seattle/Everett: 1.5 hours
Travel time from Olympia/Tacoma: 45 minutes
Travel time from Portland: 2.5 hours
From Seattle/Everett and Tacoma:
Take I-5 South to Highway 16 West and cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Follow Highway 16 to the Purdy cut-off exit (Highway 302). Stay on Highway 302 and follow the road signs to Allyn and the junction of State Route 3. Along the way you will pass through the waterfront neighborhood of Victor, located directly across North Bay from Allyn. Continue on Highway 302 to Allyn, where you'll find LakeLand Village , a casual and gorgeous residential golf course community. The community of Grapeview is located only one mile down the road from Allyn, just past the Sherwood Creek Bridge. Turn left on the Grapeview Loop Road, and then slow down. You are entering the heart of some of Puget Sound's best value waterfront. As you proceed, you will see a variety of smaller side roads that allow access to the many waterfront communities along the shoreline. Watch for road signs. Don't miss the left turns to Treasure Island and Stretch Island.
From Olympia/Portland:
Take I-5 North to State Route 3 North. Stay on State Route 3 to Grapeview Loop Road (on the right just past the Mason Benson Road). This loop road provides local access to Stretch and Treasure Islands as well as to many feeder roads and long driveways that lead to secluded, quiet beachfront homes, many on generously-sized lots.
Farther south on State Route 3 is the access point to Harstine Island. Turn left on Pickering Road and proceed to the Harstine Island Bridge - cross over the bridge and you're there.
About Real Estate:
As you drive around the Case Inlet area you will notice that properties offered by Reid Real Estate dominate the market.
For information on listed properties along the waterfront, please give me a call at Reid Real Estate in Belfair, 800-773-3227. I am a life-long North Mason County resident and I can provide the details about most Case Inlet offerings.
If you're interested in a self-guided tour of what's available in the area, I will be happy to prepare a packet of current listings that you can use on your own. Many clients prefer this approach, particularly if they are in the early stages of their search process. Please call one or two days in advance. And if you have a serious interest in a particular home, I will be happy to arrange a showing at your convenience. It is best to get in touch with me in advance so we can discuss what would work best for you. I will look forward to your contact!
Boaters of all kinds can choose their waterway and find easy access to
Fair Harbor Marina located on South Puget Sound in Grapeview. This
marina features 350 feet of guest moorage, 20 and 30 amp power service,
luxurious showers and restrooms, 68 permanent slips and 10 covered moorage
slips ranging from 38 to 50 feet. Regular fuel and a country store
offering groceries, bait, tackle, espresso and even unique gifts,
furniture and local art is located dockside. Complimentary
transportation to LakeLand Village Golf Course is provided for overnight
guests.
Jarrel's Cove Marina is located on Harstine Island, near Jarrell's Cove
State Park. This scenic privately-owned marina features a
convenience grocery store, RV sites, showers and a dump station.
It's location is somewhat off the "beaten path", yet offers easy
access via the popular Pickering Passage. Other nearby destinations
include McLane Cove, McMicken Island, Herron Island and other island
communities in the area.
Grapeview Days
The first Saturday in May finds the sleepy burg of Grapeview bursting
at the seams with hometown locals and visitors from all over Puget
Sound. The occasion? It's Grapeview Day, a local tradition
co-hosted over the years by the owners of Grapeview Country Store and the
Grapeview Community Club.
The attraction? A homespun
"show-your-stuff" local parade, populated by marching bands,
live
ponies, children on bikes and colorful caravans representing service
organizations and more. Add to the mix an old-fashioned cakewalk,
live music in the parking lot and an historic active steam donkey and
you've got the picture. Grapeview Day is one local celebration not
to be missed.
Waterfront Homes
right here in North Mason
County. Most homes in this market are priced in the $250,000 to
$450,000 range, a value that is comparable to Hood Canal
waterfront with the added benefit of larger and more peaceful parcels because of the
reduced traffic in the area. Homes in the lower price ranges
($150,000+) are also available. These homes may be constructed with
less quality and often have high-bank waterfront access and long tide runouts, resulting in less desirable beaches.
