Explore Communities · Seattle's Eastside
Kirkland
Small-town waterfront charm with a serious tech economy.
Lake Washington waterfront · Marina Park · Carillon Point · Sunnier side of the lake
Kirkland is the Eastside city people fall in love with first, thanks to a downtown that runs right along Lake Washington with restaurants, shops, and viewpoints stacked on the water. It is also a genuine tech hub with waterfront campuses and a well-earned reputation for sunnier weather than Seattle across the lake.
Downtown Kirkland is the closest thing the Eastside has to a classic lake town. Marina Park anchors one end with a swim beach and a summer bustle of boats and kayaks, and from there Lake Street and Central Way string together coffee shops, boutiques, and waterfront restaurants where you can watch the sun set over the Seattle skyline.
The neighborhoods north of downtown each have their own character: Juanita has its beach park and a growing village core, Finn Hill climbs the ridge with wooded lots and lake views, and the Houghton and West Of Market areas mix older waterfront homes with new condos. Carillon Point and Kirkland Urban brought office towers and high-end dining, but the city still feels like several small towns sewn together.
Kirkland is a favorite for anyone who wants to feel the water every day: walk to breakfast, paddle in the afternoon, and trade a commute for a cross-lake view. The tradeoffs are price and space, since lots and homes run smaller here than deeper into the Eastside.
Places you will love
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Marina Park
A launch, a swim beach, and the front-row seat for the downtown waterfront.
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Juanita Beach Park
Wide sand, summer food kiosks, and the most family-energetic beach on the Eastside.
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Carillon Point
A waterfront boardwalk, marina, and restaurants with Olympic Mountain views.
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Kirkland Urban
A newer plaza with shops, seasonal events, and a great people-watching corner.
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Waterfront dining row
Anthony's HomePort, the BeachHouse, and Ivar's line the shore for sunset dinners.
Good to know
- Best for
- Buyers who want lake living, walkability, and a genuine village feel, and who are comfortable with less yard in exchange for more view.
- Getting around
- SR 520 puts downtown Seattle about 20 minutes away by car; South Bellevue Station is the practical light rail access point a few minutes south.
- Official site
- City of Kirkland →
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