South Whidbey Island-A Great Place to Live

Community, Beauty, and Self-Sufficiency
The South Whidbey Island community consists of rural farmlands and small towns linked by a strong sense of community. The island features beautiful vistas of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, access to the spectacular Puget Sound waterways and on-island old growth forests. Dotted by a network of small, independent farmers, we pride ourselves on maintaining a rural character and self-sufficient lifestyle.
Arts, Culture, and Outdoor Activity Abound
Whidbey abounds with artists of all types, writers, small tech businesses, health and wellness practitioners and craftsmen. There are several theatres on the south island, including Whidbey Children's Theater, where children can get an early experience of acting and performing.  Sportsmen will find fishing, boating, hiking and camping opportunities within a few miles. The State operates two State Parks on the island and the County and Port offer even more facilities.
Island Living-Well Connected to the World
The island’s largest city, Oak Harbor, is approximately 35 miles north.  FREE Island County Transit busses criss-cross the island 6 days a week covering all towns and many small neighborhoods. Getting off the island and into the city is easy.  The Washington State Ferry system operates from predawn until after midnight 7 days a week with service to Mukilteo (just minutes from I-5). With all this relative isolation, we are a short ferry ride to Everett, one hour from downtown Seattle and within an easy commute to numerous ski areas, three National Parks and even Vancouver and Victoria, Canada. Come join us on Whidbey Island – sophisticated rural island living…in the city!

PERFORMING ARTS

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.  565 Camano Avenue, P.O. Box 52, Langley, WA 98260.  Phone: 360-221-8268; Toll-free: 1-800-638-7631. A performing art center providing live theater performances including plays, dance music, concerts, workshops, exhibits and more.
http://www.wicaonline.com/index.html

Whidbey Children's Theater
Whidbey Children's Theater is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children by creating opportunities for them to discover, experience and participate in the performing arts.
In Langley http://wctonline.com/

The Whidbey Playhouse.  730 S.E. Midway Boulevard, P.O. Box 571, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.  Phone: 360-679-2237; Toll-free: 1-800-606-PLAY.
http://www.whidbeyplayhouse.com/

STATE PARKS

Deception Pass State Park - 10 miles north of Oak Harbor
A 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on four lakes. Rugged cliffs drop to meet the turbulent waters of Deception Pass. The park is outstanding for breath-taking views, old-growth forests and abundant wildlife.
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=deception+pass

Fort Casey State Park - 4 miles south of Coupeville
A 467-acre marine camping park with a lighthouse and sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A coast artillery post features two historic guns on display. The park features 10,810 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound (Admiralty Inlet), and includes Keystone Spit, a two-mile-plus stretch of land separating Admiralty Inlet and Crocket Lake.
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Fort+Casey

Fort Ebey State Park - 2 miles north of Coupeville, and 8 miles south of Oak Harbor
The 645-acre camping park was originally built as a coastal defense fort in World War II. Concrete platforms mark gun locations. The park has two miles of saltwater shoreline on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a freshwater lake for fishing, and miles of hiking and biking trails.

Joseph Whidbey State Park - 3 miles west of Oak Harbor
A 112-acre day-use park with 3,100 feet of saltwater shoreline on the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The scenery is beautiful, views are magnificent, wildlife is everywhere and the beach is one of the grandest on Whidbey Island.

South Whidbey Island State Park
-7 miles north of Freeland on Smuggler's Cove Road
A 347-acre camping park with 4,500 feet of saltwater shoreline on Admiralty Inlet. Park features include old-growth forest, tidelands for crabbing and clamming, campsites secluded by lush, forest undergrowth and breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. The park offers a unique outdoor experience.

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
This links to the National Park Service's page on the 25 square mile historical reserve, the first of its kind in the US, which encompasses a mixture of federal, state, county and private property, all managed in a way that preserves its historic essence. Within Ebey's Landing NHR, are Fort Ebey State Park, Fort Casey State Park, and the historic waterfront town of Coupeville, one of the oldest towns in Washington State.

GARDENS

Meerkerk Gardens.  2 Miles south of Greenbank.  Phone: 360-678-1912.
The gardens feature Rhododendrons and are open 7 days a week, 9am to 4pm. Admission is $3 per person. Special events admission is $5 adult and $4 seniors.  Children are free when accompanied by an adult.  The best time to visit the Gardens is in early spring.

Earth Sanctuary, Freeland
At Earth Sanctuary, nature is the top priority. Reclaim your spirit in its beautiful forests and reflective ponds. Experience megalithic sacred sites and eco-art, walk the labyrinth, amplify your prayers at the Native American medicine wheel. Enjoy the abundance of birds while walking the nature reserve's two miles of paths.