About the Neighborhood
The Sunrise Drive area is the beautiful northeasternmost part of Bainbridge Island, just north of Rolling Bay and east of Madison Ave. This gorgeous waterfront neighborhood is highly sought after because of the stunning sunrises (hence the name) and lively views of the Puget Sound shipping lanes, Cascade Mountains, downtown Seattle, and Mt. Rainier. Close proximity to the Agate Pass bridge and easy access to the ferry are an added bonus. On the far northern boundary of the Sunrise area is Fay Bainbridge Park, a beloved community beachfront park and camping area. During the summer months, you will find the park abuzz with children playing in the water, searching for shells and campers building a fire to roast marshmallows. In the winter, you’ll see plenty of walkers with their dogs fetching sticks. There are picnic tables, an event shelter, playground equipment, and plenty of fort-inspiring driftwood.
Most of the waterfront homes in the Sunrise Drive area are medium to high bank but once you walk down to the shoreline you will find some very sandy beaches. The waters in this part of Puget Sound are known to be some of the deepest. Fun fact: the waters in this area are home to the celebrity of cephalopods, the giant Pacific Octopus which can grow to be the height of a double-decker bus! You’ll also find crab pots dotting the horizon because it is a very active crabbing area.
Point Monroe is a unique cluster of no-bank fishing shacks turned mega-mansions just north of Fay Bainbridge Park. These homes are located on a sand spit that curves around a lovely saltwater lagoon whose sheltered waters attract a surprising variety of shorebirds, eagles, otters, seals, and dingy sailors alike. Non-waterfront properties in the Sunrise area are generally over ½ acre in size and heavily treed which creates a lot of privacy and very lush landscaping. The homes range in age from run down island originals to newly built multi-million dollar waterfront homes.
On the corner of Day Rd. and Madison Ave. is xalilc (Halilts) Elementary School, the island’s award winning school. Just south, at Valley and Sunrise, are all the amenities of Rolling Bay; home to the world-famous Bay Hay and Feed store, Rolling Bay Café - a delicious coffee shop, Via Rosa 11 - an island favorite for authentic Italian food, the island music guild, a corner convenience store, and the local courthouse. If sailing is your love, Port Madison and the Port Madison Yacht Club are just around the corner and Point Monroe is a popular starting line for summertime sail races.
Neighborhood Highlights
