Gamblewood, Kingston, Washington: A Hidden Gem

If you are new to Kitsap Peninsula and/or are researching affordable places to live in Washington state, a good spot to check out would be Gamblewood in Kingston, located in the norther tip of the peninsula.

Gamblewood has an intimate, neighborly feel to it and is nestled conveniently near downtown Kingston, Poulsbo and Port Gamble. Kingston itself is a small town that punches above its weight—as of 2022, it had less than 3,000 residents. This means more space to grow and thrive without the attendant concerns of congestion, noise and the higher cost of living associated with a big city like Seattle. 

The information below was gathered from public sources and what I, as a Kingston resident, have observed and experienced. As in all online research, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and it's worth looking up other sources, finding forums (NextDoor and the Reddit subreddit r/kitsap are good) or even asking other residents what they think of the area.

Gamblewood 

Zip and Geography

98346. I've taken a screenshot from Google Maps and encircled in yellow the approximate area Gamblewood covers. The HOA, Gamblewood Community Club, is also marked with a yellow arrow.

Gamblewood approximate area, Kingston, Washington

HOA: Gamblewood Community Club

Gamblewood Community Club was founded in 1967. Members are able to access the private waterfront park which has two pavilions and barbecue facilities, as well as a children's play park. The HOA organizes annual activities for its members including a BBQ and a community garage sale.

View of Gamblewood Community Club.
Gamblewood Community Club has two pavilions with picnic bench seating and barbecue facilities.
A view of the shoreline at Gamblewood Community Club.

School District for Gamblewood

North Kitsap School District No. 400. There are six elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Anecdotally, NKSD is highly rated by parents. On the Reddit subreddit r/kitsap, one parent said, “My children both went to schools in Kingston from elementary through high school. Kingston is EXCELLENT.”

Transportation and Commuting

As mentioned earlier, Gamblewood is snuggled in an area that is a quick drive to popular locations such as downtown Kingston and Poulsbo. It connects to NE State Hwy 104 via Hansville Rd NE, about a two-and-a-half mile or approximately six minute drive. Kingston itself has a low walk score—seven out of 100—because it is highly car dependent. There is public transportation, mainly Kitsap Transit buses, but these are limited to specific areas.

Do you work in Seattle? The Kingston Fast Ferry (walk-on only) sails to Seattle with two trips in the morning and three in the afternoon. The Edmonds to Kingston Ferry run by Washington State Ferries takes cars and makes it to Edmonds in about half an hour. From Edmonds, passengers can take the Amtrak or the Sounder to Seattle.

When the Kingston Fast Ferry is cancelled or if you have an appointment/event in Seattle that won't allow you to catch the last ferry back, there is always the Bainbridge ferry. It's a 30-45-minute drive, depending on traffic.

Local supermarket closest to Gamblewood

This would be the Safeway at Hwy 104 and Miller Bay Road. Further down 104, almost by the ferry, there is a fairly new Grocery Outlet. If you need home goods and pantry staples, it's a fairly short drive to the Poulsbo Walmart.

Medical Services In or Near Gamblewood

The nearest medical facility would be the Kingston Medical Clinic on Barber Cut Off Road NE which offers limited services. There is also an urgent care clinic in neighboring Poulsbo called Multicare Indigo, right beside the O'Reilly's. Poulsbo itself has several excellent clinics for medical, dental, and other health services. For a proper hospital, the nearest institution is St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale. It is part of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health network.

Dining and Entertainment for Gamblewood

The following is by no means an official or comprehensive list. Downtown Kingston has a good number of dining options. Near the ferry terminal, there is Ono Poke Too, Sourdough Willy's Pizzeria, the Saucy Sailor, Argensol (Argentinian empanadas), Cellar Cat wine bar with live music, Island Cool Ice Cream and J'aime les Crepes. Further down 104, heading west, is the highly rated Grub Hut and the Borrowed Kitchen Bakery. For Asian, there is Joy Luck beside the Grocery Outlet.

There are also Mexican options with Los Tres Compadres in the same strip as Joy Luck. Carbon Mexican Steakhouse, and Puerto Vallarta.

As far as quick service restaurants go, Kingston has a McDonald's, Starbucks and a Domino's Pizza. Food trucks are slowly inching their way into Kingston, it appears, with Iggy's on 104, by the Yard Fitness Club, and the Smoked Asian which pops up in Kountry Korner, the gas station at the intersection of Miller Bay Road and Hwy 104, on Fridays. The latter offers “Kansas City BBQ fused with Asian cuisine”.

Places of Note In or Near Gamblewood

This is by no means an official or comprehensive list:

  • Gamblewood is home to the Rewild Refuge animal sanctuary. This summer it offered Pig and Horse Yoga!
  • Firehouse Theater, a boutique cinema that was once an actual firehouse, was featured in the Wall Street Journal, CBS, and other news outlets as an example of a small-town movie house trying to survive in the age of Netflix.
  • Heronswood Garden, owned and operated by the S'Klallam tribe, is a stunning botanical garden with over 8,000 varieties of plants. It's worth a visit, if only for your own garden inspiration.

 

Get your Home Valuation Report