Sunset - Renton, WA

First settled in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Sunset grew into a suburban neighborhood with the expansion of Boeing's aircraft factory in Renton during the mid-1900s. The Renton History Museum in downtown Renton charts the history of the area through a number of permanent and rotating exhibits. The city of Renton also hosts an extensive collection of outdoor art sprinkled through its parks and more developed areas.

Rock legend Jimi Hendrix grew up in the area, and his grave and memorial are located at Greenwood Memorial Park. Fans gather to honor the musician throughout the year, with events taking place on his birthday (November 27) and on Christmas.

While not numerous in Sunset, a variety of chain dining establishments and understated local eateries appeal to every taste, from burger joints and Thai and Vietnamese cuisine to classic Mexican and Italian favorites.

Santa Fe Mexican Grill supplies classic Mexican fare in a casual and friendly manner, dishing out huge portions and strong drinks. Move beyond your expectations of Mexican food with house originals, including the seafood fajitas. Stop in during happy hour for $3.50 margaritas.

Peyrassol Cafe serves a menu of rotating and seasonal locally-sourced foods inspired by traditional dishes of France and the rest of continental Europe. Regular dishes include the fish of the day and "beouf bourguignon," a chuck steak slowly simmered in red wine and homemade stock. The bar also features rotating original craft cocktails created by the head bartender.

Nightlife options are spread around the city of Renton but plentiful and diverse enough to meet the tastes of everyone. Katie J's Bar and Grill lives up to the expectations of a neighborhood bar and grill, dishing out pub food and local music. Wing Wednesdays feature 33 cent wings throughout the day, while house dart tournaments take place each Sunday.

Sunset Boulevard, which turns into Highway 900, traffics the bulk of drivers between residential areas and adjacent Interstate 405. Interstate 405, in turn, connects commuters and shoppers with destinations throughout region, including employment centers in Renton, SeaTac, and central Seattle. For a rural drive, Highway 169 winds its way to Maple Valley and the sparsely populated regions of eastern King County.

King County Metro provides local and commuter bus service, including service from a number of nearby park-and-rides to downtown Seattle and downtown Bellevue. Uber and several cab companies operate in the area, though the residential roads necessitate calling rather than hailing a cab.

South along Highway 169, Ron Regis Park, Cedar River Park, and Ricardi Reach Natural Area line the shores of the Cedar River. If you and your dog are looking for a place to play, head to Cedar River Park, which includes a large off-leash area. All three parks are linked by the Cedar River Trail, a paved biking and jogging trail that runs 17.3 miles along Highway 169.

A short drive to the Northwest takes you to Cougar Mountain Wildland Regional Park, a massive 3,100-acre park crisscrossed by forested hiking trails and home to numerous old mining shafts. The park features several information kiosks detailing the area's mining history. A few miles east of Cougar Mountain lies Tiger Mountain State Forest, home to an even lengthier hiking routes. For a closer natural experience, Heritage Park combines a multipurpose play field, a basketball court, and a rock-climbing wall with numerous picnic shelters, a playground, and a small forested space. Kiwanis Park provides a similar mix of opportunities to exercise and explore, as well as ball fields that ring with the sound of little league baseball throughout the summer.

Nearby Liberty Park hosts the annual Renton River Days, with activities that include a parade.

Life in the Sunset area generally carries a lower-than-average cost of living for the Seattle region. The cost of leasing houses or apartments tends to be reasonable, with one-bedroom apartments in Sunset renting for about $1,200 per month. A King County Metro bus ride to Seattle costs $2.50, while gas prices typically run about 10 percent higher than the national average.

Several major shopping areas are just a short drive from Sunset, including the Southcenter Mall six miles west in Tukwila. Satisfy your tech needs at Fry's Electronics, gear up for your athletic endeavors at Dick's Sporting Goods, and find discount clothing deals at Marshall's, all conveniently located just across Interstate 405 at Renton Landing.

Closer at hand, a number of grocery stores, including Safeway, Grocery Outlet, and Saar's Marketplace, stock everything to meet your grocery needs. Viet Wah Asian Food Market carries a wide supply of Asian foods, including many fruits and vegetables rarely found in large supermarkets. During the summer, the Renton farmers market promotes local farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and baked goods.

If boutique shopping appeals to you, look for hidden secrets such as C'est la Vie, purveyor of primarily locally-made charms, bracelets, and distinctive home and garden decor items. C'est la Vie customizes many of the jewelry items, making it the perfect destination for gift ideas.