Artondale - Gig Harbor, WA

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Artondale was isolated from Tacoma and Seattle by Puget Sound and the Tacoma Narrows. It could not be easily reached by automobile or horseback, so the area remained unpopulated. The construction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940 would have solved the area’s accessibility problem, but the bridge collapsed months after its completion. After the bridge’s reconstruction in 1950, the population of Artondale grew as families discovered the beauty and tranquility of its tree-lined neighborhoods and relocated there from nearby Tacoma.

Those looking for a meal away from home you will have to venture outside of Artondale, which has no restaurants located within its borders. Don’t worry though, as tempting food options can be found within a five-minute drive of the neighborhood. Named for a 3000-year-old village located in Italy’s agricultural heartland, Fondi Pizzeria tempts diners with authentic pizzas featuring freshly baked dough and handmade mozzarella cheese. Local families enjoy its casual, child-friendly atmosphere. Parents and the over 21 crowd can sip affordable Italian wines by the glass or bottle as well as sophisticated craft cocktails such as Fondi's Rosemary Cosmo or Basil Gimlet.

Equally close to Artondale, the homey, family owned and operated Taste of Peru serves up delicacies from below the equator. Feast on savory empanadas to start your meal, and follow them up with classic Peruvian entrees such as lomo saltado and arroz chaufa. Of course, no South American meal would be complete without ceviche, which Taste of Peru serves alongside yams and Peruvian corn.

Satisfy your craving for Asian cuisine at Kinza Teriyaki Japanese Restaurant, located just outside Artondale in Gig Harbor. Practice your chopstick skills on tempura, yakisoba and tonkatsu. Regular diners recommend the prawn appetizer and chicken teriyaki and rave about the fast, friendly service.

Nightlife in Artondale is essentially nonexistent but you can satisfy your thirst for an adult beverage at several bars in Gig Harbor. Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar pours from an extensive selection of tequilas and margaritas. You can catch a game at Halftime Sports Saloon while sampling one of 22 beers on tap. Halftime stays open until at 2 a.m. and features billiard tables, dartboards, foosball and live music on Saturdays, making it one of the area's most happening late-night options.

While no public transit options exist in Artondale proper, the Pierce County Transit and Sound Transit bus lines serve adjacent Gig Harbor, shuttling passengers to Tacoma and Seattle. Uber does not operate its ride service in the community, and you won’t see taxis cruising the streets, but you can dial up Gig Harbor Taxi if you find yourself in need of a ride.

Free parking is widely available and the roads are generally quiet, making driving a breeze. State Route 16, just a 10-minute drive away, provides access to Tacoma via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Although Artondale does not have bike paths, the lack of traffic makes it a safe place for bicyclists. While you will need a car to access most area businesses, residents enjoy walking for pleasure in the leafy, bucolic environment.

Though verdant Artondale almost looks as if it could be one massive park, there are several parks in the vicinity. All allow dogs if you keep them on a leash. Diminutive Hales Pass Park sits on just four acres but draws visitors of all ages with its baseball field, two outdoor tennis courts and picnic shelter.

Two particularly appealing parks border Artondale: Wollochet Bay Estuary Park and Kopachuck State Park. Wollochet Bay comprises roughly twenty acres, including over 800 feet of shoreline where Artondale Creek meets the saltwater marsh of the bay. This park lacks the convenience of modern facilities, but draws hikers and birdwatchers looking for a peaceful escape.

Families and nature lovers frequent the 109-acre Kopachuck State Park. Those driving into the park must purchase a Discover Pass for $10 (all other area parks are free to the public), but the fee is well worth it. Visitors enjoy two miles of hiking trails, beach and tide pool exploration, bird watching, fishing and clamming. In warm weather, wade or swim in the park’s bracing waters. Personal watercraft and boating are permitted for those seeking aquatic adventure. Or just stand on the park’s mile long saltwater shoreline and soak in the picturesque views.

Artondale’s cost of living compares favorably to that of nearby cities. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment sits at $936, lower than Tacoma’s $1130 median rent and much lower than that of Seattle, where you will likely pay over $1400 for a comparable unit. A beer in the Artondale area will set you back about $3.50, a fairly typical price for the Puget Sound area but lower than the cost in Seattle. Gas prices are typically about 10% above the national average.

Artondale does not have a shopping hub. Its retail offerings are spread throughout the neighborhood and primarily consist of small, locally owned businesses and boutiques. Creative types can sift through supplies for their next project at Heartworks craft store. If the Pacific Northwest clouds leave you lacking vitamin D, Nutrition Plus can recommend supplements for that or any other dietary need.

For one of the best shopping experiences near Artondale, head to the Gig Harbor Farmer’s Market, open from April to early fall each year. Fill your reusable shopping bags with seasonal produce, fresh dairy products and cheerful flowers while sampling local fare from one of the market’s food and beverage vendors. For last-minute items or a quick treat, the small but welcoming Arletta Store sells essentials as well as its popular fresh-baked loaves of bread. In sunny weather, enjoy a picnic on the store’s outdoor table. For the rest of your grocery needs, visit Gig Harbor’s Safeway supermarket just outside Artondale.