Marine View Drive

Marine View Drive overview

Marine View Drive is one of West Seattle’s most distinctive waterfront neighborhoods. Located in the southern portion of West Seattle, it runs from just north of Brace Point, where 45th Ave SW becomes Marine View Drive, all the way south to the point where it turns into 35th Ave SW near Arbor Heights. This is a quieter, more residential part of West Seattle, where the homes and views feel removed from the higher-energy areas farther north.

Most of the neighborhood is known for its bluff-view homes perched high above the water, creating a very different visual experience from other West Seattle view neighborhoods. From many homes you get broad looks over Puget Sound, plus Olympic Mountain views from certain angles. On the southern end of the neighborhood, the pace is calmer, the traffic is lighter, and the overall feel is more serene.

The Arroyos and Ocean View Tract

One of the most unique parts of Marine View Drive is the Arroyos neighborhood. The Arroyos began as a quarry, which likely explains the bowl-shaped layout of the community. It has a distinct feel, with homes closer to the water, a more enclosed setting, and a strong sense of neighborhood identity.

The Arroyos includes some amazing no-bank waterfront homes with flat lots and a private beach for the community. There are roughly 25 no-bank lots, though a few homes in the area sit a bit higher on the hillside rather than directly on the flat waterfront. The combination of water access, privacy, and community beach living makes the Arroyos one of the most special pockets in all of West Seattle.

Marine View Drive also includes the Ocean View Tract, where 38 homes have access to a private trail down to the beachfront. The trail is maintained by the homes that use it and leads to a beach where residents can walk along the shoreline all the way toward the south end of Marine View Drive as it turns into 35th Ave SW. It’s a beautiful place to walk and one of the neighborhood’s hidden treasures.

Daily life and walkability

Marine View Drive is more about views, waterfront access, and quiet than convenience to shops. There are not many places to walk for everyday errands, so most residents drive for groceries, restaurants, and shopping. That said, the northern end near Brace Point does give you access to a few nearby conveniences, including Endolyne Joe’s and Wildwood Market and Eatery.

For groceries and general shopping, residents often head to Morgan Junction, Westwood Village, or other nearby West Seattle hubs. For restaurants, it’s common to drive to Morgan Junction, Alaska Junction, Alki, or North Admiral. Marine View Drive’s tradeoff is clear: you get a quieter, more serene setting and some of the best views in West Seattle, but you do need to drive for most daily needs.

Still, people love walking along Marine View Drive itself. It’s a scenic roadway with great views, and it draws walkers and runners who enjoy the quiet, the elevation, and the sense of space.

Views and neighborhood feel

Marine View Drive is all about perspective. Most views are west or southwest-facing, with dramatic looks out over the water. In the southern part of the neighborhood, the bluff homes sit high above Puget Sound and give you a unique angle on the ships, storms, sunsets, and moving water below. When you look southwest, you can watch weather systems roll across the Sound in a way that feels very different from other West Seattle view corridors.

North of SW 106th Street, the land has a gentler slope and a slightly different view perspective, sometimes including views toward the Vashon ferry as it comes and goes from the terminal. South of SW 106th Street, the neighborhood gets quieter and feels even more removed from the city.

The Arroyos has a more intimate feel thanks to its bowl shape, private beach, and one-road access. That tends to create a stronger sense of community than the broader Marine View Drive area, while still offering the same waterfront-oriented lifestyle.

Housing styles and price ranges

Marine View Drive is mainly a single-family neighborhood. There are no traditional condo buildings and no traditional townhomes to speak of, though there are a few ADUs and DADUs. Lots are generally larger than what you’ll find in many of the central and northern parts of West Seattle, and the housing stock is a mix of mid-century homes, northwest contemporary houses, and newer modern construction.

The neighborhood is not really an estate district in the formal sense, but there are a few exceptionally nice homes, especially in the bluff-view and waterfront areas, that sit at a very high end of the market.

In broad terms:

• Non-waterfront, non-view homes: Around $800,000 and up.

• View homes: Often start around $1.2 million and can rise well above $3 million.

• No-bank waterfront homes: Fixers may start around $1.4 million, with many homes ranging up to about $3 million.

• Top-end Arroyos and waterfront properties: Some of the best homes can reach $4 million or more.

Overall, Marine View Drive generally offers better pricing than comparable waterfront homes in Beach Drive or Alki, especially as you move farther south from the city center.

Schools and commute

Students in Marine View Drive are generally served by Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School. Arbor Heights Elementary is a nearby and well-known elementary option, and there is also the Westside private school close by.

Commutes from Marine View Drive are a little longer than from neighborhoods farther north in West Seattle because you’re in the southern portion of the peninsula. Most residents head back through the heart of West Seattle to reach the bridge, or take routes through Highland Park or White Center to access the city or I-5. On the plus side, Marine View Drive is closer to SeaTac Airport than many other West Seattle neighborhoods, which is a real benefit for frequent travelers.

The Fauntleroy ferry dock is also close by, which is convenient for anyone heading to Vashon or Southworth. Some residents even keep second homes on the peninsula or Vashon and appreciate how easy ferry access is from the south end of West Seattle.

Buyer profile

Marine View Drive is a great fit for buyers who want unparalleled views, waterfront living, and a quieter lifestyle. It appeals to:

• Waterfront and view buyers.

• People who want more serenity than Alki or the central West Seattle neighborhoods provide.

• Buyers looking for large lots and a southern West Seattle location.

• Full-time residents who love the water and the calmer pace.

• Luxury buyers who want some of the best bluff-view and no-bank waterfront homes in the area.

What people are really buying here is access to the water, the view, and the quieter pace of southern West Seattle. If you want amazing outlooks, a coastal feel, and a neighborhood that feels a little more removed from the city while still being in Seattle, Marine View Drive stands out.

FAQ

Q: Where is Marine View Drive in West Seattle?
A: Marine View Drive runs through the southern portion of West Seattle, starting just north of Brace Point where 45th Ave SW becomes Marine View Drive and continuing south until it turns into 35th Ave SW near Arbor Heights.

Q: What is the Arroyos neighborhood?
A: The Arroyos is a bowl-shaped subcommunity within Marine View Drive that began as a quarry. It includes some amazing no-bank waterfront homes, a private beach, and a more intimate neighborhood feel.

Q: What is the Ocean View Tract?
A: The Ocean View Tract is a small area within Marine View Drive where 38 homes have access to a private trail down to the beachfront. The trail is maintained by the homes that use it and leads to a beautiful shoreline walk.

Q: What kind of views do homes on Marine View Drive have?
A: Most homes have west or southwest-facing bluff views over Puget Sound, and some enjoy Olympic Mountain views as well. Homes in the Arroyos and along the waterfront can have direct water access, while bluff homes sit high above the water with dramatic perspective.

Q: What is daily life like on Marine View Drive?
A: Marine View Drive is quieter and more residential than areas like Alki. Most residents drive for groceries, restaurants, and errands, though the road itself is popular with walkers and runners because of the scenery and calm feel.

Q: What are some nearby amenities?
A: At the north end, Brace Point area restaurants like Endolyne Joe’s and Wildwood Market and Eatery are nearby. For most shopping and dining, residents head to Morgan Junction, Alaska Junction, Alki, North Admiral, or Westwood Village.

Q: What kinds of homes are in Marine View Drive?
A: Marine View Drive is mostly single-family homes, with a mix of mid-century, northwest contemporary, and newer modern houses. There are a few ADUs and DADUs, but no traditional condo or townhome buildings.

Q: What home values can buyers expect?
A: Non-waterfront homes can start around $800,000. View homes often start around $1.2 million and can go above $3 million. No-bank waterfront homes may begin around $1.4 million and can reach $3 million or more, with some of the best Arroyos and waterfront properties reaching $4 million plus.

Q: How is the commute from Marine View Drive?
A: Commutes are a little longer than from north West Seattle because you’re farther south, but routes to the bridge, Highland Park, White Center, and I-5 are still manageable. Marine View Drive is also convenient for SeaTac Airport and the Fauntleroy ferry dock.

Q: Who is Marine View Drive best suited for?
A: Marine View Drive is ideal for buyers who want quieter waterfront or bluff-view living, larger lots, and a southern West Seattle location with some of the area’s best views and access to the water.

• Browse current Marine View Drive homes for sale on your dedicated search page.

• Compare Marine View Drive, Beach Drive, and Alki to see which waterfront lifestyle fits you best.

• Schedule a consultation with your West Seattle real estate team to talk through Marine View Drive bluff homes, Arroyos waterfront homes, and Ocean View Tract access.  Contact Us | The City Team Real Estate Agents