Mount Baker Park
An Olmsted ravine that runs from the neighborhood hub down to the lake: tall trees, tennis courts, a play area, and a stone lantern that was a gift from Japan.
Neighborhood guide · Where I live
Mount Baker, Seattle
Curving boulevards, Olmsted parks, and Lake Washington at the bottom of the hill.
I live here, so this is the guide I'd hand a friend: where to walk, where to eat, what the houses are like, and what they're selling for.
Lake WashingtonBeach, rowing center, shoreline path
10–14 minLight rail to downtown
Early 1900sStreets shaped by the Olmsted Brothers
98144 · 98118ZIP codes
What it's like
A ridge, a ravine, and a lake.
Mount Baker sits on a ridge between Rainier Avenue and Lake Washington. When it was laid out in the early 1900s, the Olmsted Brothers helped shape it, which is why the streets curve with the hills instead of marching in a grid, and why a wooded ravine runs right through the middle.
A good Saturday here starts with coffee at the little hub where Mount Baker Boulevard meets McClellan, then a walk down through the park to the beach. When you need the city, the light rail station is at the top of the hill.
Amy's note
“My favorite hour is early morning on Lake Washington Boulevard, running south toward Seward Park with the water on my left.”
Where it is
I-90 to the north, Lake Washington to the east, S Genesee St to the south, and Rainier Ave S and MLK Jr Way S to the west.
Parks & the lake
Green all the way down.
The four places you'll end up most.
Mount Baker Beach & Colman Park
Where the ravine ends: a small swimming beach and the start of the lakeside path, with Colman Park's wooded trails just to the north.
Stan Sayres Park
Home of the city's Mount Baker Rowing & Sailing Center, with classes in rowing, sailing, and paddling, right next to Genesee Park and Playfield. In August, it's the center of Seafair's hydroplane races.
Lake Washington Boulevard
Miles of shoreline path south to Seward Park. On summer weekends, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the boulevard closes to cars from Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park and belongs to walkers, runners, and bikes.
Food & coffee
Coffee at the hub.
Mount Baker is mostly homes, with two little business areas: the main hub at Mount Baker Boulevard and McClellan, and a second cluster on 31st Ave S, on the lid over the I-90 tunnel. For a bigger night out, Columbia City's main street is one light rail stop south.
Amy's pick · The hub
Mioposto
Wood-fired pizza, salads, and morning coffee. It really is that good, and the patio is the place to be in summer.
Amy's pick · Coffee
Bright Spot
My coffee stop, and home of a great breakfast sandwich. Locally sourced, with vegan soft serve when the sun's out.
Amy's pick · On the lid
That's Amore
Old-school, East Coast–style Italian on 31st Ave S, on the lid over the I-90 tunnel.
Community spaces
A clubhouse since 1909.
The Mount Baker Community Club has been community owned since 1909, one of the oldest community clubs in the country. Its clubhouse on Mount Rainier Drive S hosts concerts, classes, and neighborhood meetings.
Getting around
- Mount Baker Station (1 Line): about 10 to 14 minutes to downtown and 22 to 25 minutes to the airport.
- The transit center next to the station connects to several bus routes.
- I-90 is right at the north edge, and the I-90 Trail heads east through the Mount Baker Ridge tunnel toward Mercer Island.
Through the year
- Summer weekends (Memorial Day to Labor Day): Lake Washington Boulevard goes car-free from Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park.
- August: Seafair hydroplane races at Stan Sayres.
Housing styles
Porches, gables, and lake views.
Most homes here date from the neighborhood's first few decades, with newer options closer to Rainier Avenue.
Craftsman & foursquare
Deep porches, built-ins, and full basements.
Tudor & Colonial Revival
Steep roofs, brick and stucco, often on the boulevards.
Mid-century & view homes
Set into the slopes, facing east to the lake and the Cascades.
Townhomes & condos
Near Rainier and the station; often the lower price point.
Touring an older home? What I check first
- The sewer line. Ask for a sewer scope; many lines here are original.
- Old heating oil tanks. A tank sweep is cheap peace of mind.
- Old paint. In homes built before 1978, layers of paint on windows and trim can contain lead. Test before anyone sands or scrapes.
- Wiring. Knob-and-tube or an older panel can affect insurance.
- Slopes. Some lots are on city-mapped steep slopes, which matters for drainage and additions.
- The basement. Look at the downspouts and the grading, then look for water lines on the walls.
Market snapshot
What homes are selling for
September 2026 · All home types · Source: NWMLS
$904KAverage sale price
9Homes sold in the month
33 daysAverage time on market
98%Of list price, on average
How I read it: homes here are taking about a month to sell and closing just under list, so buyers have a little room to negotiate. With only nine sales in a month, one lakefront home can move the average a lot, so I look at three- and six-month trends with clients.
The newsletter
Home, Considered.
Want more of this? I send neighborhood notes, a market update each season, and the occasional great bakery. All I need is your first name and email.
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★★★★★
“We absolutely love our house and love our neighborhood. Amy is particularly knowledgeable of the south Seattle area, although I'm sure she knows other areas of Seattle too.”
Ready when you are
Let's walk it together.
Thinking about Mount Baker? Meet me for coffee at the hub and we'll walk the boulevard down to the lake. Bring every question. You'll leave knowing whether it fits and what it would take.
Let's talkOr call or text 206-403-0217
Questions I hear
Mount Baker FAQ
Where exactly is Mount Baker?
In Southeast Seattle: I-90 to the north, Lake Washington to the east, S Genesee St to the south, and Rainier Ave S and MLK Jr Way S to the west. Leschi is across I-90 to the north; Columbia City and Seward Park are to the south.
How do people get downtown?
Light rail from Mount Baker Station takes about 10 to 14 minutes to downtown, and I-90 is right at the north edge of the neighborhood.
What do homes cost here?
It varies a lot by style, size, and view. The snapshot above gives the big picture; I'm happy to pull current numbers for the kind of home you want.
How do I look up school assignments?
Seattle Public Schools assigns schools by address. Use the district's school locator for any home you're considering.