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The South Whidbey CommunityLeaf in paper

"One writes to make a home for oneself, on paper, in time, in others' minds."
                                             Alfred Kazin

Whidbey Island is so large that it is home to several cultures. The Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is located on the north end, and the city of Oak Harbor serves the pilots, support personnel, and families that are stationed there. The historical town of Coupeville lies in the central part of the island. The second oldest town in Washington state, it is surrounded by family farms and is located in the Ebey's Landing National Historical preserve. The south end of the island is home to many artists. In fact, it's been said that you can't throw a rock on South Whidbey without hitting an artist or writer. The Writer's Refuge is located in this area.

These maps show all of Whidbey Island, as well as its sister, Camano Island. The Whidbey Island Writers' Refuge is located in the Bayview area.

In the following sections, you'll find listings of places and events that nourish body and soul.

Bakeries Laundromat
Banks Mailing services
Bicycle and moped rentals Medical services
Chambers of commerce Nature
Chocolate Personal chefs
Coffee & tea shops Pharmacies
Continuing education Physical activity
Copy shops & office supplies Restaurants
Culture Take-out
Events The South Whidbey Record
Farmers markets Transportation
Groceries  

Nature

Natural wonders arranged in order of proximity to the Writer's Refuge, with the nearest at the top of the list.

  • Earth Sanctuary a 72-acre nature reserve with sacred spaces such as labyrinths, the tallest stone circle in the world, a dolmen, cairns, and other attractions. Admission is $7.
  • The Putney Woods 600 acres of trails through forest once owned by the Department of Natural Resources. Be sure to print out a trail map before you go—there are so many trails that it's easy to get lost.
  • Double Bluff Park where locals skim board, take the kids to the beach, or walk their dogs at the off-leash park.
  • South Whidbey State Park a 347-acre park with absolutely spectacular views of the Olympic mountains.
  • Merkeek Rhododendron Gardens ten acres of display and educational gardens bordered by 43 acres of woodland preserve. There are 4-5 miles of nature trails. Admission is $5.
  • Fort Casey State Park part of the "triangle of fire" that once guarded the entrance to the Puget Sound. The Admiralty Head  Lighthouse is open seasonally.
  • Fort Ebey State Park defended the coast during World War II. Features saltwater beaches as well as a freshwater lake.
  • Deception Pass State Park at the very north end of the island, where a bridge connects Whidbey to Fidalgo Island, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge.
  • Ebey's Landing National Historical Preserve set aside by Congress to preserve and protect a rural community.

Culture

Continuing Education

Events

  • February Langley Mystery Weekend Participants investigate a mystery by interviewing suspects, investigating crime scenes, and gathering clues. 

  • March Whidbey Island Writer's Conference An intimate conference in which participants enjoy, among other things, fireside chats with best-selling authors in the privacy of beautiful island homes.

  • April Burning Word: The Festival of Poetic Fire Features readings by 40 or more poets, open mic sessions, workshops, and other activities—all in celebration of Poetry Month.

  • July Choochokum: Langley Festival of the Arts A juried show that attracts more than 120 booths to First and Anthes in Langley.
    Loganberry Festival At Greenbank Farm (where loganberries once grew in abundance) features music, food, wine tasting, arts and crafts booths.

  • August Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival Produced by the Coupeville Festival Association, which donates the net proceeds of each festival to support the arts and historic preservation of Central Whidbey Island.
    Highland Games At Greenbank Farm. The Games center around all things Celtic and feature pipe bands, pipers, dancers, athletic events, food, and more.

  • September Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour More than 90 artists and craftspeople opened their studios to the public in 2009—the tour's 13th year.
    Djangofest is a five-day festival that features workshops, concerts, and impromptu jam sessions around Langley.

Farmers' markets

  • Bayview Farmers' Market Inside Bayview Hall in March & April. Outdoors May through September. Saturdays.

  • Tilth Farmers' Market This is more of a for-locals-by-locals market and is just at the end of Thompson Road. You pass it every time you come home to the Writer's Refuge. Saturdays.

  • Greenbank Farmer's Market The farmer's market up north at the Greenbank Farm. Sundays.

Restaurants

Langley

  • Braeburn Restaurant, 197 D Second Street, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-3211

  • Edgecliff Bar & Grill, 510 Cascade Avenue, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-8899

  • Mike's Place Restaurant & Creamery, 219 First Street, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-6575

  • Prima Bistro, 201½  First Street, Langley, WA  98260, 360-221-4060

  • Café Langley, (Mediterranean), 113 First Street, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-3090

  • Village Pizzeria, 108 First Street, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-3363

  • The Inn at Langley, 400 First St., Langley, WA, 360-221-3033

  • Living Green Natural Foods & Apothecary, (vegetarian/raw) 630 Second Street, Suite A, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-8242

Bayview

  • Basil Cafe (Pan Asian Grill and Noodle Soup House), 5603 Bayview Road, Langley, 98260, 360-321-7898

  • Neil's Clover Patch Cafe, 14485 SR 525 (in the Bayview Shopping Center), Langley, WA 98260, 360-321-4120

Clinton

  • Dairy Queen, 6330 Storkson Dr., Clinton, 98236, 360-341-2464

  • La Casita (Mexican) 11042 SR 525 Suite 102, Clinton 98236, 360-341-4101

  • Cozy's Roadhouse, 8872 SR 525, Clinton, 98236, 360-341-2838

  • Pickles Deli, 11042 SR 525 Suite 122, Clinton, WA 98236, 360-341-3940

  • Speedboat Pizza, 6315 Storkson Drive, Clinton, WA, 98236, 360-341-5787

  • Subway, inside the Chevron Station on SR 525, 341-7827

Freeland

  • Beachfire Grill, 5023 Harbor Hills Drive, Freeland, WA 98249,
    360-331-2363

  • China City, 1804 E. Scott Rd., Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-8899

  • Freeland Cafe, 1642 Main St., Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-9945

  • Gerry's Kitchen, 1675 Main St, Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-4818

  • Gordon's on Blueberry Hill, 5438 Woodard Avenue, Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-7515

Greenbank

  • Whidbey Pies Cafe, 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank, 98253, 360-678-1288

Take-out

  • Star Store at Bayview, 5603 Bayview Rd. Bay 7, Langley, WA 98260, 360-321-5424

  • Star Store Grocery, 201 First Street, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-5222

  • Chef's Pantry, 112 1/2 Anthes Ave., Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-2060

  • Maurlee's Take-out and Catering 317 Second St.,

    Langley, WA, 98249, 360-221-1131

  • Payless Foods, 1609 Main St., Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-4810

Personal chefs

  • Kate Poss (the official personal chef for the Whidbey Island Writer's Refuge), 360-730-1506

  • The Casual Gourmet, 360-321-4696

  • Dinner Solutions Personal Chef Service, 360-321-2414

Bakeries

  • Langley Village Bakery, 221 Second Street, Langley, WA 98260
    360-221-3525

  • Kiichlie's Bagel Bakery, 11042, SR 525 , Clinton, WA 98236, 360-341-4302

Chocolate

Coffee & tea shops

  • Useless Bay Coffee Company, 121 Second Street, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-4515

  • Island Coffee House, 124 Second Street, Langley, WA 98260,
    360-221-2414

  • Mike's Place Restaurant & Creamery, 219 First Street, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-6575

  • Mukilteo Coffee Company, 5331 Crawford Rd., Langley, WA 98260, 360-321-5262

  • 1504 Coffee Bar & Mercantile, 18205 SR 525 #7, Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-1504

  • Whidbey Coffee, 5511 Freeland Ave., Freeland, WA 98249, 360- 331-8121

  • Island Tea Company, 1664 E. Main St., #B, Freeland, WA 98249
    360-331-6080

Groceries

  • Star Store at Bayview, 5603 Bayview Rd. Bay 7, Langley, WA 98260, 360-321-5424

  • The Goose Community Grocer 14485 Highway 525 Langley WA 98260, 866.326.6714

  • Payless Foods, 1609 Main St., Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-4810

  • Star Store Grocery, 201 First Street, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-5222

  • Ken's Korner Red Apple Market, #303 11042 SR 525 , Clinton, WA 98236, 360-341-2414

  • Clinton Foodmart, 4777 Commercial Street, #C, Clinton, WA 98236, 360-341-6266

  • Greenbank Cheese Shop, 765 Wonn Road, Barn B#101, Greenbank, WA 98253, 360-222-3474

  • Chef's Pantry, 112 1/2 Anthes Ave., Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-2060

  • Star Store Basics, 199 Second St., Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-2425

Physical activity

Transportation

Pharmacies

Copy shops & office supplies

Laundromat

  • All Washed Up Laundromat, 630 2nd St Unit C, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-5828

Mailing services

  • Freeland Post Office, (offers self-service FedEx shipping) 1619 E. Main Street, Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-6500

  • Langley Post Office, 115 Second St., Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-4113

  • Clinton Post Office, 4801 Deer Lake Rd., Clinton, WA 98236, 360-341-4848

  • GHL Enterprises, (authorized FedEx & UPS shipping outlet) 220 2nd St. #101, Langley, WA 98260 360-221-0898

  • Jim's Hardware (authorized UPS shipping outlet) 4777 Commercial St, Clinton, WA 98236, 360-341-6044

Banks

Freeland
  • US Bank, 5560 S. Harbor Ave, Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-5246 
  • Wells Fargo, 5588 Harbor Avenue, Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-5400
  • Whidbey Island Bank
      5590 S. Harbor Avenue, Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-5868 
  • Coastal Community Bank, 1860 Scott Rd Ste A, Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-1345
  • Chase, 1561 E Main St., Freeland, WA 98249, 360-331-6141

Langley

  • US Bank, 202 Anthes Ave., Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-5204
  • Whidbey Island Bank,  221 2nd St. Suite 5, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-0203

Clinton

Medical services

Chambers of commerce

Bicycle and moped rentals

Our local newspaper

Get a feel for the area and what matters to locals by reading the South Whidbey Record.