University Place

 

Bordered by Puget Sound on the west and Tacoma on the east, University Place is a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly town with beautiful mountain and water views. It’s close to Narrows Bridge and offers easy access to Kitsap Peninsula. University Place is a nature-filled hometown full of quiet streets and beautiful homes.

University Place was named for the University of Puget Sound when the university was attempting to build a campus in the 1800s, but if you look around, you won’t find the University here. It sold the land back to the city and built its campus in North Tacoma, but University Place kept the name and continues to thrive in all its suburban glory.

There are many incredible homes in University Place, and the majority of them were built after the 1950s. There’s a mix of architecture, with single-family homes on wide streets and beautiful residences with picturesque views of the sound to the west.

University Park is a laid-back and welcoming community. Its streets are highly walkable and perfect for getting out with a stroller or your dog! There are a lot of young families in the area, and it’s a wonderful place for kids to grow up, thanks to top-notch schools and lots of family-friendly amenities.

Except for the golf course, University Park isn’t on the map as a destination, and there’s less here in the way of nightlife, so this is a great location for those who want to be outdoors or don’t mind occasionally traveling to buzzier spots.

University Place has a mix of quaint local shops and well-established eateries. There’s plenty to love here, whether you’re shopping for gifts or meeting your friends for a drink on the waterfront.

Harbor Greens Market is a locally owned cafe and grocery store. It has an extensive sandwich and pizza menu as well as a full-service butcher, fresh produce, and world-class beer, wine, and spirits. University Place also has a lot of cute local stores. Some favorites are Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop, neighborhood gift shop Paper Luxe, and Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors.

Dine on fresh seafood and take in gorgeous views of Puget Sound from the deck at Boathouse 19. The Beach Tavern At Titlow is the perfect spot for casual dinner and drinks a day outdoors. The taproom at Narrow Bridge Brewing Company has perfect views of the sound and Narrows Bridge to accompany a crisp beer or cider from their constantly rotating tap selection.

University Place is most well-known for having the first golf course to host a U.S. Open Championship in Washington state. But the beauty and adventure of this community goes beyond that and can be found in annual events and gorgeous outdoor spaces.

Curran Apple Orchard is a hobby orchard within the city limits. Go on a family outing or attend one of their events, like the annual Cider Squeeze or their Summer Concerts in the Park. Moonlight Movie in the Park is an annual movie night that starts with families picnicking and kids in a bounce house and ends with everyone making memories under the stars. A delightfully quaint University Place tradition is Duck Daze. The beloved festival includes a race, watermelon eating contests, a car show, and a parade.

 

Chambers Bay Golf Course is an 18-hole course where golfers can take in impressive views of the sound as they play. It was the site of the 2015 U.S. Open Championship. Surrounding the golf course, you’ll find the 930-acres of gorgeous land of Chambers Creek Regional Park. Enjoy the shoreline, explore the creek and canyon area, or just relax in the meadow area. Titlow Park is a family-friendly park full of playgrounds, basketball courts, and a kayak launch.

University Place is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include: