West Bremerton - Bremerton, WA

Separated from East Bremerton by the Port Washington Narrows, the historic heart of the city beats in West Bremerton. The eastern neighborhood was not annexed until after Bremerton's incorporation. West Bremerton was planned by German entrepreneur William Brenner, who benefited from his shrewd land purchases with the sale of land to the U.S. Government for the construction of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The base remains a major shipbuilding center to this day.

West Bremerton's successful naval center sustained the city's steady population growth throughout the 20th Century, until economic downturns took their toll during the 1970s. Successful revitalization of the downtown core in the early 21st century resulted in new growth, and today West Bremerton's impressive waterfront caters to burgeoning small businesses and features a wealth of museums and cultural landmarks commemorating the city's proud naval history.

West Bremerton residents like comfort food with an emphasis on local sourcing and quality. Late nights are rare, but happy hours are well-attended and local bars cater to everyone from hop heads to cocktail connoisseurs.

Every town has to have its own well-loved greasy spoon and that's where HI Lo's 15th Street Cafe comes in. Attracting party-weary college students, local townies and families, Hi Lo's fame stems from its quick service, lovably weird staff and unforgettable breakfasts. Weekend diners can forget about the obligatory wait for a table on weekends in the Hi Lo's comfy coffee lounge waiting area, and locals will tell you the moon biscuits and gravy are worth the wait.

Head to Tony's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria for a classic pie. This casual local favorite has pictures of regulars lining the walls and is very generous with their use of toppings. Try one of their many specialty pizzas at they classic restaurant or grab one to go and enjoy it at home.

For a classic neighborhood bar experience head over to Brother Don's Bar and Grill on Kitsap Way. Stop by for classic bar food such as burgers and pizza and stay for the live music and great beer. Make sure you check out their nightly specials including Wing Wang Tuesday, Grilled Steak Nite Thusday and Fish Feed Friday, where its all you can eat cod.

Most residents head into downtown Bremerton for a night on the town. The glut of dive bars here harkens back to the early 20th century when the waterfront was a haven for brothels, drifters and wayward sailors. Today, even in revitalized downtown, some authentic drinking holes linger, adding character to the newer upscale areas.

The aptly named Drift Inn, just down the street from a resident historic battleship, pours a stiff drink but caters to a tough crowd and may only be for the brave. The South Pacific Sports Bar shines up the traditional dive concept, featuring friendly service and an impressive selection of taps couched in tiki decor. Popular with the sports crowd, SFSB serves up tasty pub food and airs sports events on over 20 TVs.

Bremerton date nights often include a live performance at the historic Admiral Theater and a visit to Toro Lounge, an anchor of Bremerton's improved downtown. Toro's mixologists whip up heady cocktails, such as the local favorite, the Torotini; a tequila-based take on the classic mojito, while unique tapas such as bacon wrapped stuffed dates and ricotta stuffed peppers grace the menu. Toro's busy, bustling vibe puts you in the middle of Bremerton's night life.

West Bremerton lies 30 minutes south of Tacoma, but congestion at the southerly convergence of the 3 highways forming the SR3 Defense Industrial Corridor can double rush hour commute times. For Seattle commuters, the Bremerton Ferry runs from 5 AM to Midnight daily and takes about an hour. The early morning commuter rush often remains congested until around 8 AM. The fare is somewhat steep at $10.95, but commuters can save considerably by buying a Multi-Ride Commuter Card.

To reach the eastern part of the city, commuters take the 19 Crossroads Shuttle into Manette across the Warren Avenue bridge. Along with the 11 Crossroads Limited and the Olympic College number 24, the downtown core, university and ferry terminal complex connect all areas of West Bremerton with neighboring Port Orchard and Silverdale.

The city of Bremerton owns several public garages and lots in the downtown area. The Washington and Harborside garages service the ferry terminal complex with hourly, daily and monthly options. Street parking is usually free within a time limit, making up for the surprisingly sluggish local taxi services. Uber does not service Bremerton.

The nine parks within the West Bremerton vicinity exemplify the local emphasis on outdoor activity. With its weekly farmers market and picturesque waterfront views, Evergreen Rotary Park attracts hikers, boaters and watersports enthusiasts all year long. Evergreen skirts the eastern shore of the Port Washington Narrows with a combination of manicured lawns, trails, benches, picnic areas and a unique 911 memorial. Just north of the shipyard, local hikers and bikers happily disappear under the green canopy of Forest Ridge Park, with over 1,300 linear feet of trails and pathways crisscrossing the lush forest floor.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes tucker out their owners at Bremerton Bark Park, a rocky enclosed space where no leashes are required. The dogs have more fun here than the humans as conditions can often be muddy and dusty. More sophisticated pooches prefer the off-leash area at Howe Park, a few minutes north of West Bremerton. A small stream and plenty of trees and hills make this area great for both hiking and tossing the ball with your furriest friend.

Locals head to the Bremerton waterfront and ferry terminal area for access to Harborside Fountain Park and the Louis Mentor Boardwalk. The area's naval heritage comes alive in both of these areas with the Naval History Museum and the floating USS Turner Joy Museum. Visitors to the Turner Joy can tour this historic Vietnam War-era destroyer of the same name, and special groups can book the ship for overnight bivouacs. The wild side of Bremerton always beckons, and it's not uncommon to spot a pod of Orcas swimming off the coast near the ferry terminal.

Every Labor Day weekend, the waterfront is overrun by the wildly popular Blackberry Festival, offering everything from blackberry jams to pies, ice cream, cider and wine. The streets come alive with free live entertainment, and a bike race and run adds to the festive atmosphere.

Seattle commuters find renting a home in West Bremerton a decent bargain. As a trade-off for the hour-plus Seattle commute, prices dip considerably lower than the state average, and twice as low as Puget Sound homes on the Seattle side. The neigbhorhood has the added advantage of being on the side of the narrows housing the ferry terminal, making commutes to Seattle easier than Manette and other easterly neighborhoods.

Renters pay an average of $700 per month for a one bedroom apartment in West Bremerton, and the price of a pint after a long day equals out to around $4. The ubiquity of local brewpubs has made half-gallon growlers popular, and beer lovers get their favorites to go for around $8 per refill. Wise commuters fill up their gas tanks before their commutes, as gas prices in Bremerton exceed the national average by a scant 10 percent.

Shoppers head to the neighborhood's western outskirts for groceries at the local Safeway on 9th and North Callow. Other grocery chains can be found in neighboring Silverdale to the south. Fresh homemade kimchi, Asian herbs and spices and fresh vegetables on weekends add spice to local home kitchens at the Bremerton Korean Market. Nearby local bakeries and coffee houses serve up delicacies and house roasted brews traditional of the coffee-centric northwest.

Locals have plenty of choice when it comes to shopping in the small downtown arts district along Pacific Avenue. Tucked away on 4th Street, Ish Vintage Clothing & Costumes represents Bremerton's burgeoning cultural renaissance. It's not just about terrific Halloween rentals at Ish. A wealth of unique vintage fashion finds keeps locals well-dressed with accessories and clothing from a time when hand made quality was the norm. This museum of style keeps fashion hounds coming back to check for monthly new arrivals.

Shopping for clothes can be stressful, but not at the low-key Purpose Boutique on Pacific Avenue. This exquisite little women's shop stocks everything from dresses to tops, bottoms and shoes with styles that create an impression. To top it off, a portion from the proceeds of each sale goes to fighting human sex trafficking, and the owners maintain partnerships with suppliers and designers who empower women worldwide.

Two farmers markets provide West Bremerton residents with fresh local Kitsap County fruit and vegetables from May to October. One market opens up Thursdays at Evergreen Rotary Park and another on Sundays at the Ferry Terminal.