Situated along the Swinomish Channel just north of Skagit Bay is a vibrant waterfront town that revels in both its history and geography. La Conner is a treasured destination for visitors throughout the Pacific Northwest and an ideal home for approximately 850 residents. Its charming streets and breathtaking natural beauty attracts outdoor enthusiasts, art aficionados, and history buffs, as well as those simply looking for an unforgettable escape. From the scenic Rainbow Bridge crossing the Swinomish Channel to the famous Skagit County Tulip Festival, La Conner real estate is a welcoming alternative to life in the city. It's a place where you can find time to kayak, hike, bike, shop, or dine, and there's always another adventure waiting around the corner.

Located just 70 miles north of Seattle and 40 miles south of Bellingham, La Conner real estate puts homeowners close enough to enjoy the amenities of larger cities, while being removed from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan areas. The population of La Conner has boomed in the last decade as word spreads about the high quality of life in this thriving town. With an economy based on tourism, health care, construction, education, and the arts, La Conner experiences continued growth in its central location. Only 11 miles from Interstate 5 and convenient to the San Juan Islands, Mount Vernon, and Anacortes, La Conner is a popular getaway for beach fun, festivals, shopping, and outdoor recreation. Visitors flock to the many bed and breakfasts here for a cozy escape, and plenty of hotels are available for eager tourists. The decision to become a resident of La Conner is especially rewarding, whether it's year-round or just seasonally. An experienced La Conner Realtor can help you determine which neighborhoods are best suited to your specific lifestyle.

A Quaint Escape

Known for its charming shops, historic buildings, museums, art galleries, and annual tulip festival, La Conner provides the perfect escape. If you enjoy strolling through 19th-century Victorian homes, viewing historic exhibits, and seeing world-class art, you'll understand why so many people love to visit La Conner. Whether you're in the mood to savor fine cuisine or would prefer to relax in a sidewalk café, La Conner has a large selection of restaurants to choose from, including bakeries, seafood restaurants, taverns, pubs and bistros. La Conner is the place to enjoy fresh, straight-off-the-boat seafood, where you'll browse menus featuring salmon and crab caught that very day.

When you feel the urge to go shopping, you'll find an amazing selection of gift shops and independent boutiques. Known for its unique antique stores featuring Early American furniture and vintage curios, shoppers know they can come to La Conner to find home décor, jewelry, and more. The artistic nature of the town is evident in the quality merchandise available in its many shops. Filled with distinctive Indian goods and other local pieces, you are sure to find something to inspire every taste. The annual Arts Alive event is a must-see chance to view the work of the town's many painters, sculptors, and jewelry makers.

A Trading Post Becomes a Town

La Conner was originally inhabited by the Swinomish Indians, many of whom still call this area home. The first settlers arrived in the 1860s and a trading post was soon built. In 1869, a settler named John Conner bought the trading post and renamed it using his wife's initials, Louisa Anne. With more early settlers, agriculture flourished in the area and a post office, stores, hotels, and a newspaper soon emerged. James and George Gaches purchased the businesses of the town in 1873, and subsequently, a courthouse was established to serve as a school and church, among other functions. La Conner eventually flourished as a port for steamers and as a hub for logging and fishing. Although these industries declined after the Great Depression, artists were soon drawn to the area for its beauty, and new industries (including tourism) soon emerged and prospered. The San Juan Islands remain a strong draw for tourists because of the many outdoor activities such as boating and scuba diving, as well as the remarkable beauty of the islands. Today, agriculture remains an important part of La Conner and Skagit County, including cultivation of cabbage, spinach, and beet seeds.

A Mecca of the Arts

La Conner home owners value their town's rich history and the historical attractions located here. In addition to 160 buildings included on the National Register of Historic Places, the town boasts a number of renowned museums. For example, the Museum of Northwest Art is the only museum exclusively committed to exhibiting and preserving contemporary Northwest art. The museum showcases major artists from the Pacific Northwest using a variety of mediums, such as glass, sculpture, and paintings. Another prized local attraction is the Skagit County Historical Museum, which houses Native American exhibits and displays on pioneer life in permanent and revolving exhibits. The museum opened in 1981 and began to attract national attention in the 1990s when it moved to a new location in the heart of La Conner. Today, the museum houses a growing permanent collection from the most acclaimed artists throughout the Northwest and features an ever-changing outdoor sculpture garden. La Conner is also famous for its Quilt Museum in the Gaches Mansion, one of only 12 quilt museums in the country. Built in 1891 by George and Louisa Gaches, the beautiful Gaches Mansion has a fascinating history and provides the perfect home for the museum's many quilts, which originate from around the world.

Yet another example of La Conner's artistic passion can be found in the Sculpture Walk, an event in which sculptures from talented local artists line Commercial Street and other parts of town. The sculptures vary from year to year and all are available for purchase. Naturally, art galleries are plentiful in La Conner. Visitors from all over the region travel to this town to browse outstanding collections from local and nationally known artists. A significant number of artists live in the area and contribute to the cultural scene of La Conner. The performing arts also play a leading role here, and the La Conner Institute of Performing Arts features local, national, and international talent. La Conner is even a magnet for authors. The quaint nature of this town, as well as its scenic surroundings, is what attracted the town's most famous resident, Tom Robbins. This reclusive author of "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" and "Another Roadside Attraction" has called La Conner home since 1970. Robbins and the many other long-time artisan residents are reminders of this town's calm and peaceful spirit. It's no wonder that La Conner real estate draws artists and art lovers from near and far.

Tulip Fields Forever

If you've heard of La Conner, you've surely heard of its magnificent fields of flowering bulbs. Each April, over 300,000 people flood the town for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, featuring acres of tulips, daffodils, and irises. Enjoy the magnificent fragrance of millions of tulips as you stroll amongst their vibrant colors at this annual festival. In addition to the wonderful aroma, the sight of field upon field of millions of blossoms is something you must see to believe and you'll want to have your camera ready to capture this explosion of color. La Conner home owners enjoy this magnificent display each year, and residents are happy to share the beautiful spring attraction with visitors.

Outdoor Splendor and Fun

When it comes to marine activities, La Conner is situated in an ideal location near Shelter Bay and the Swinomish Channel, which opens up to Skagit Bay. Boating is a central passion in the area, and the La Conner Marina provides an ideal passage to the San Juan Islands and San Juan real estate. Located on the Swinomish Channel, La Conner's full-service marina is open year-round and offers plenty of transient moorage for visiting friends. Puget Sound offers incredible boating and fishing opportunities with the majestic backdrop of mountains and forest that embodies the Pacific Northwest. In addition, you won't want to miss the annual whale-watching season, when people flock to charter boats to watch the Orcas (killer whales) between early April and late October. If you prefer boating without a motor, La Conner is a premier access point for the Cascadia Marine Trail. One of only 16 White House-designated National Millennium Trails, this trail is a kayaker's dream. With over 50 campsites, the trail is an ideal way to see the Puget Sound under your own power. Stretching from Olympia, Washington, to Point Roberts on the Canadian border, this trail combines many early Native American trade routes. Kayakers are drawn to the pristine beauty of the many secluded islands as well as spectacular views of the Seattle skyline.

Buying a Home in La Conner

Families, retirees, singles, and couples all are part of the community in La Conner, where the median resident age of about 48 is higher than the national average. A well-educated population, many people telecommute (although those who do drive to work report a remarkably short drive time). While seasonal residents love their La Conner vacation homes and second homes, most residents choose to live here full time. The median home price of about $360,000 often includes large lots, jaw-dropping views, and convenient access to shopping, dining, and attractions. La Conner real estate is always in high demand. If you're looking for a new home, your La Conner Realtor can show you homes with gourmet kitchens, large master suites, covered decks, and hot tubs, along with community amenities such as a pool, clubhouse, tennis facilities, marinas, and beaches. Custom homes built on waterfront property give you dream views of Shelter Bay and quiet solitude as you enjoy the sunset. A few luxury homes even offer private docks and golf course living. If maintenance-free living is what you're searching for, condos and town homes provide first-class amenities and convenient access to recreation and shopping. Retirement communities offer amenities such as juice bars, beauty shops, and on-site massage services. It's hard to imagine a more relaxing environment than La Conner, where residents are happy to be here and newcomers are always welcome.

As you're browsing San Juan Islands real estate, consider the easy access to and from La Conner, its close proximity to nearby cities and attractions, and the high quality of life offered here. You'll want a knowledgeable San Juan Islands Realtor to guide you in the important decisions about where to live and what style of home to buy. Investors will find plenty of options among La Conner homes, and second homes are commonplace here. Part-time residents also love La Connor's laid-back lifestyle and its quaint atmosphere.

For more information about La Conner real estate, contact expert San Juan Islands Realtor Jean Groesbeck at 800-327-5291, ext. 2010 today.

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