Mount Baker

Many Seattleites haven't a clue about the magnificent estates and streets of Mount Baker. We're talking embassy-style homes facing grassy, tree-lined meridians. All of this hidden behind the fun and fanfare of Lake Washington Boulevard. However, this doesn't represent all of Mount Baker.

The homes are a vibrant range: multi-story brick, Tudor, modern architecture and modest all-American bungalows. The gardens are well-tended, some of them quite big, many of them overflowing with plants and flowers. While there are still some fixer-uppers around, this is a neighborhood of the fixed-ups. Mount Baker is also a neighborhood of long-timers.

The flavor of Mount Baker is community, community, community. The historic site of the Mount Baker Community Clubhouse has a motto that reads:  "Get together, get busy, boost!"

This is a busy neighborhood. Mount Baker is the local host for the yearly hydroplane races and the Blue Angel air shows; it's a main thoroughfare for bicyclists, joggers and triathlon trainers. It's the host to rowing regattas and clubs. Mount Baker Beach comes with a bathhouse, a sandy beach with a floating dock and lifeguards. In the winter, there's a parade of Christmas ships.

Also a portal to Seattle, Mount Baker is a straight shot to Seattle, or to the east side of town. It's just off I-90, a gateway interstate that runs east and west.