Whether your visit is a day, a week, or a lifetime, time spent in Kirkland is time well spent. Unique shops, world class art galleries and top notch restaurants await you. Enjoy Kirkland, where life is truly an art! Kirkland in King County.
Kirkland lies on the northeastern shores of Lake Washington, a stone’s throw from Seattle over the I-520 Evergreen Point floating bridge. No other city has as many waterfront parks on this lake as Kirkland. Tree-lined boulevards, a low-rise downtown, lanes of boutique shops and restaurants, intriguing outdoor sculptures, many positioned for public interaction, and people engaging in all kinds of recreation, give Kirkland a feeling of being permanently on vacation. Peel away the first impression of those 'expensive' lakefront condos, and visitors discover what locals have always known-that Kirkland is an authentic, accessible, and affordable place to visit, walk around and play.
Strolling along Kirkland's waterfront parks and beaches is a popular pastime, made all the more romantic by panoramic views of the lake, Seattle skyline and Olympic Mountains that lie beyond. Year-round evening sunsets reflect the mood of the region and the season—crimson with heat in July or streaked with slate grey clouds and mist in March. Bald eagles dip into the water for fish while sailboats and windsurfers catch currents of air, kayakers explore the shoreline, and motorboats tie up at public docks next to restaurants in the region’s only downtown waterfront.
Much of Kirkland's aquatic environment is habitat to shorebirds, nesting eagles, and nocturnal beavers. Recently, the Audubon Society sited Kirkland’s Juanita Bay Park as one of the best urban wildlife preserves in the region. The city's much envied park system includes several swimming beaches, a working pioneer nursery, hikable woodlands, walkable wetlands, marinas for boating and sightseeing excursions, crisply groomed all-American ball parks, and many other public sports courts and facilities.
Kirkland's arts scene is sophisticated and international, but also quirky and homegrown. Fine arts galleries bring major exhibitions to town and feature prominent artists. The Kirkland Performance Center brings in name acts and performers. Yet anyone may take a painting or pottery class at the Kirkland Arts Center. Buy an affordable keepsake there or at the artists' collective, the weekly farmers markets, or the two year-round Christmas stores. Heritage Hall, a choice spot for wedding receptions, is the place to stop and speak to local history buffs. A walking-tour map shows notable houses and buildings from the 1880s for those who wish to see vintage architecture.
Many retailers in downtown Kirkland are sole proprietors who handpick merchandise for sale themselves. In addition to upscale art galleries, there's a cluster of stylish furniture shops, decorative arts stores, one-of-a-kind clothing boutiques, and several beauty salons and spas. Go treasure hunting for colorful local fare and find locally grown gourmet and heirloom produce at Kirkland's seasonal farmers market. A number of designer clothing and furniture consignment stores, plus favorite brand retailers, round out Kirkland's uncommon offerings.
Because temperatures are mild, ranging from the 50s in the winter to the 80s in the summer, year-round outdoor activity is common. Warm summer nights turns the town Mediterranean, the restaurants fold out their French windows, shops stay open late, and the chatter of different languages and dialects wafts in and out of earshot. Many of these are Microsoft transplants taking a well-earned break.
Housing Cost
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $509,855
Demographics
Population in July 2007: 47,325. Kirkland covers 10.7 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 180 feet above sea level.
Zip codes: 98033, 98034, 98083 - Area code: 425
Weather
Kirkland, WA climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 60's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.
The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 75.80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 35.20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 19 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 12 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Kirkland is 35.96 Inches. Winter months tend to be wetter than summer months. The wettest month of the year is December with an average rainfall of 5.45 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
