Overview
Olalla is on the Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound of Washington state. Olalla means "place of many berries" from the native Chinook word "olallie." This historic area is a combination of thick forests, small farms, streams and scenic country roads surrounded by Puget Sound.
8 things to do · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Olalla
Anderson Point County Park
This 66-acre park has a pathway through thick forests leading down to a broad sandy beach with views of Vashon Island. Don't leave any valuables in your car at the trailhead.
Banner Forest
A 635-acre hiking, equestrian and biking park with a designated wetland.
Olalla Community Club
The Olalla Community Club host 8 concerts a year. The concert series starts in September and concludes in May. The OCC strives to bring a more personal concert experience. Each month you will hear a different genre: Blue…
Polar Bear Jump
Olalla Americana Music Festival
Pets Galore Horseback Riding
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 35°F. Wettest: Nov and Jan. (climate data from nearby Kent)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 11 mi away (major hub). Directions
- TIW Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma — 11 mi away. Directions
Olalla can be reached via the Fauntleroy, Vashon, Southworth ferry from the north and from the South via Gig Harbor and the Tacoma Narrows bridge.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Anderson Point County Park, Olalla Community Club
- Afternoon Olalla Americana Music Festival, Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails
- Evening Olalla Vineyard and Winery
Day 2
- Morning Banner Forest, Polar Bear Jump
- Afternoon Pets Galore Horseback Riding, Cascadia Marine Trail
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Olalla Valley strawberry farms were an important source of strawberries for the Seattle markets, shipped over via the Mosquito Fleet via Colvos Passage by boats such as the famous Virginia V.
Olalla has some small claim to fame as the location of an early 20th century health retreat (Sanitarium) called Wilderness Heights a.k.a. "Starvation Heights", The sanitarium was owned and operated by Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard. Dr. Hazzard's practice of starvation to cure one's ills resulted in the death of a visiting English heiress in 1911, and the conviction of Dr. Hazzard for her murder. The original bathtub where Hazzard performed autopsies is still in the house, which has a family residing there. However, she also maintains a strong following, in the US, Europe and Australia, that testify to her fasting techniques as having cured them of many ills and believe she was ahead of her time, both then and now, in her methods.
Get in
Olalla can be reached via the Fauntleroy, Vashon, Southworth ferry from the north and from the South via Gig Harbor and the Tacoma Narrows bridge.
By car
Olalla Valley Road and Banner Road are the main routes to Olalla. Both have easy access from the ferry at Southworth.
The town can also be reached by driving scenic back roads from Gig Harbor.
By bike
Olalla has many hilly and twisty country roads which are popular with bikers from the Seattle area. Many maps of suggested scenic bike rides can be found online but be forewarned that it may be awhile between pit stops so plan accordingly.
By boat
The tidelands at the boat launch become challenging at extreme low tide as the whole area becomes a large mud flat. After the boat ramp boaters will need to pass under a bridge to gain access to Puget Sound which means no sailboats or any boats with a large mast.
Go Kitsap County Boat Ramp
It's in a tidal area that is difficult in low tides. However, Olalla Bay Market has basic food and beer needs, and has the distinction of being the only real Puget Sound water access between Gig Harbor and a boat ramp near Southworth. Also small boaters can beach for a short period to shop at the store.
By ferry
Place Washington State Ferries
Connects downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, and Vashon Island, and connects West Seattle to Vashon Island and Southworth near Olalla, (Kitsap Peninsula). All ferries are for both vehicles and passenger except the ferry between downtown Seattle and Vashon Island and connections to buses can be made at all ferry terminals for walk on passengers. The Southworth terminal provides the best access to Olalla however be warned that lines can get long during the summers and holidays. Try to avoid peak times such as commuting peak hours heading towards Seattle in the mornings and leaving Seattle in the late afternoons. Friday late afternoon and Sunday late afternoon should also be avoided if possible or at least plan on arriving early to avoid congestion.
Get around
By bus
See
Olalla Valley is home to many historical barns and structures. Drive down Olalla Valley Road for a nice view of the Olalla Community Club, the Olalla Bible Church and about a half a dozen very old barns.
Do
Do Olalla Community Club (OCC)
The Olalla Community Club host 8 concerts a year. The concert series starts in September and concludes in May. The OCC strives to bring a more personal concert experience. Each month you will hear a different genre: Bluegrass, Folk, Blues, Celtic, Jazz, Rock, R&B or Kirtan. The concerts have a potluck dinner 1 hour before the show. There are two 50-minute sets with an intermission between. Bring a dish and spend a quality memorable evening.
Events
Beachcombing
Unlike many beach areas in the Puget Sound, Olalla offers a long sandy beach at Anderson Point Park. Oysters, clams and moon snails are common sites and seals, otters and eagles are not uncommon.
Sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed, however the often rocky and wild shores are havens for creating and revealing beach glass and anything artificial found is fair game for removal. Be respectful of private property and gentle with sea creatures. Keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline.
Horseback riding
Horses are commonly ridden in the areas around Olalla. Banner Forest is common destination for riders that share the trails with mountain bikers and hikers. Drivers should be vigilant watching for horseback riders traveling on the side of the road.
Sea kayaking
The Olalla boat launch is on an estuary with a wide variety of birds and just across Colvos Passage from Vashon Island making it an excellent place to start an adventure along Kitsap Peninsula's 371 miles of coastline. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline.
Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate and scenic travel destinations.
Do Cascadia Marine Trail
Olalla is a good launch site for the Mid Sound Section of this inland sea trail that is designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites to visit including Lisabeula on nearby Vashon Island just across Colvos Passage from Olalla.
Buy
Olalla was once a thriving business center larger than Port Orchard, but there are not many businesses left in the area except Al's, small farms, a few local craftspeople and a small farmers market in the summer.
Shop Olalla Bay Market (formerly Al's Grocery & Old Fashioned Butcher Shop)
A local market and event space. With a deck over looking Colvos Passage, this market serves lunch and dinner. It is a local attraction during the summer months.
Shop Olalla Valley Farmers Market
A small farmers' market in the Olalla Valley with local crafts and produce.
Drink
Drink Olalla Vineyard and Winery
It's on a promontory over looking Olalla Bay, Puget Sound and Vashon Island. They have a Winery & Tasting Room available for private gatherings that accommodates up to 35 people. It is available for private gatherings such as meetings, wedding rehearsal dinners, small weddings or groups that want a private wine tasting. Food can be included with four options for meals. The menu was especially selected for the winery and provided by Le Grarmache' of Port Orchard. Their Tasting Room is decorated with old world charm and most furnishings are antique in nature. a great place to sample wines and enjoy the view and coffee is available for those that need something extra.
Sleep
There are not many places to spend the night in the area. Look towards Gig Harbor and Port Orchard for more options.
Stay Child's House Bed & Breakfast
Go next
- Gig Harbor lies to the south.
- Port Orchard lies to the north.
- The Southworth Ferry leads to Vashon Island and West Seattle.
Olalla is an excellent launching area to explore the area by boat:
- Gig Harbor is about 6 nautical miles south, but the current in nearby Colvos Passage generally runs northward which would make a southbound journey difficult for paddlers.
- Manchester is the next large port to the north. There is also a smaller hand carried outtake closer to Southworth.
- Vashon Island is nearby including Lisabeula Park which offers overnight access for non motorized boats.
Nearby
Vashon Island
City / town · 28 listings · 4 mi away
Purdy
City / town · 7 listings · 5 mi away
Southworth
City / town · 7 listings · 6 mi away
Gig Harbor
City / town · 36 listings · 7 mi away
Blake Island
Park · 4 listings · 8 mi away
Port Orchard
City / town · 39 listings · 8 mi away
Manchester
City / town · 9 listings · 9 mi away
Burien
City / town · 10 listings · 10 mi away
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