Stretching west of Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsula is a scenic blend of forest, farmland, and shoreline. It’s a place where life slows down, with more space, larger properties, and plenty of room to enjoy the outdoors — yet still within reach of Gig Harbor’s shops, dining, and schools.
It offers a rural lifestyle with water access. Many properties sit on acreage or feature private waterfront along Puget Sound inlets, making it ideal for those who love boating, fishing, gardening, or simply the peace of wide-open spaces. Housing tends to be more affordable here compared to central Gig Harbor, while still offering beautiful natural surroundings.
The peninsula has a strong sense of community, anchored by small towns like Home, Lakebay, and Longbranch, each with its own history and charm. Local farmers markets, community halls, and parks bring neighbors together, while the Peninsula’s miles of shoreline, trails, and state parks make it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
More space for larger lots, gardens, and hobby farms.
Access to Penrose Point and Joemma Beach State Parks for camping, clamming, and kayaking.
A quieter pace of life, with tight-knit community events.
Affordable housing options compared to downtown Gig Harbor.
The balance of country living with access to city amenities just a short drive away.
North of Gig Harbor lies Purdy, this is where you will find the Purdy Bridge that gives access West to the Key Peninsula. the Purdy Bridge sweeps over the narrow channel between Henderson Bay and Burley Lagoon and has been an iconic part of the landscape....
North of Gig Harbor lies Purdy, this is where you will find the Purdy Bridge that gives access West to the Key Peninsula. the Purdy Bridge sweeps over the narrow channel between Henderson Bay and Burley Lagoon and has been an iconic part of the landscape since it was built in 1936.
The bridge was built when the Key Peninsula was a remote place where few people lived but it has exploded in growth over the last few years as people are searching for more opportunities for affordable housing, building lots, and remote locations where they can enjoy working from home.
This means this area is getting busier and as a result, the Purdy Bridge is strained to capacity, during peak commuting times. It can get very backed up but these periods are short and I feel it is not a deterrent to people wanting to move out here.
Again the Gig Harbor area that Key Peninsula attaches to, lies on the West side of Puget Sound, a large protected inlet, that opens to the Pacific Ocean in Western Washington.
This area can be difficult to commute to depending on what part of it you live in. This is a very large region with many different districts. It’s difficult to pin down times for commutes because it just depends how far you are located from the Purdy Bridge.
From the Purdy Bridge to Downtown Gig Harbor it is only a 10-12 minute drive without traffic. Gig Harbor North can be reached in 7 minutes. On the other hand, if you live further out like in Vaughn it will take 25 minutes to reach downtown Gig Harbor and a minimum of 32 minutes to get to Tacoma. Living in the furthest areas such as Longbranch will add 15-20 minutes to any of these commutes.
Seattle can be reached from the Purdy Bridge in less than an hour without traffic, but back ups on I-5 can add an hour to that during peak times.
The biggest attraction here is the great Pacific Northwest and all the natural beauty it offers. The area offers easy access to Puget Sound for boating, fishing and all types of water sports and activities. It’s also known for proximity to Seattle, Mt. Rainier, the....
The biggest attraction here is the great Pacific Northwest and all the natural beauty it offers. The area offers easy access to Puget Sound for boating, fishing and all types of water sports and activities. It’s also known for proximity to Seattle, Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula and all the natural beauty that the Pacific Northwest offers.
The nearby Gig Harbor North neighborhood offers the large modern YMCA with recreational programs and services for all ages including a swimming pool, climbing gym, sauna, indoor running track, youth center, and more. This community based non-profit offers empowerment and an inclusive space where people of all ages can learn, grow and improve health.
In Gig Harbor North you will also find the medical facility St. Anthony’s Hospital.
15- 20 minutes away is access to beautiful downtown Gig Harbor with shopping, dining, water activities and the Maritime Museum , which is not only a great place for history education but a dynamic community event space with live music and other public events.
This area offers a great deal for the outdoors enthusiast. Top-notch golfing can be found at the beautiful Trophy Lake Golf Course, and Horseshoe Lake Golf Course. There is also easy access to Gig Harbor North where the prestigious Canterwood....
This area offers a great deal for the outdoors enthusiast. Top-notch golfing can be found at the beautiful Trophy Lake Golf Course, and Horseshoe Lake Golf Course. There is also easy access to Gig Harbor North where the prestigious Canterwood Golf Course and Country Club is located and nearby Port Orchard offers McCormick WoodsGolf and Country Club.
For boaters, there is a marina in Long Branch and one in Lakebay also, along with numerous boat launches and lakes in the Key Peninsula offering great options for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports.
This region also has a variety of parks and lakes. Some of the state parks here include, Square Lake, Joemma Beach, Haley Park and Penrose Point. All of these offer water access and trails. It is a hikers paradise and great for general nature aficionados from bird watchers to nature photographers.
Aside from boaters and golfers, this area also attracts equestrian enthusiasts and they will find a strong community here. Key Peninsula is dotted with horse farms and riding facilities due to the many horse properties in the area.
This rural area is mainly residential but does have a small district of shops and restaurants at the Lake Kathryn Village Mall. You will find the basics here a Post Office, Dollar Tree, Pharmacy, Dominos, Burger King and such....
This rural area is mainly residential but does have a small district of shops and restaurants at the Lake Kathryn Village Mall. You will find the basics here a Post Office, Dollar Tree, Pharmacy, Dominos, Burger King and such.
For more serious shopping you can cross the Purdy Bridge to the nearby Gig Harbor North which offers big box locations like Costco, Home Depot, Albertson’s and Target that you won’t find in other parts of Gig Harbor. just to the South of that area is the charming and historic downtown Gig Harbor where you will find small local shops and boutiques for “retail therapy” and dining options.
For other shopping options, you can drive another 10 minutes South to the Uptown District where there are many big box retailers such as Home Goods, Marshall’s, J. Jill, Chico’s, and Ann Taylor Loft to name a few.
You can find everything you need in Uptown from coffee shops, restaurants, major grocery stores, services such as dry cleaners, and even a large Cinema.
The amenities of the area are too much to list but some highlights are a medical center, a large, classy family fun center with bowling, dining, shopping, and other activities The newly built gourmet grocery, Metropolitan Market offers upscale options in a big box atmosphere. Around the corner from Metropolitan Market is the smaller local grocery, Harbor Greens offering a beautiful plant and flower selection, unique gifts, and a small deli.
This area is mainly all single-family homes, these include, acreage, equestrian, agricultural properties and some with waterfront and views. There is a great variety of sizes, eras, and settings from private homes in the woods to beachfront properties.
This area is mainly all single-family homes, these include, acreage, equestrian, agricultural properties and some with waterfront and views. There is a great variety of sizes, eras, and settings from private homes in the woods to beachfront properties.
Many homes have no HOA but there are also structured developments and small communities like .
The Key Peninsula is characterized by a variety of rural land uses on large lots. Residential home sites, agricultural lands, and forest lands
You will find an eclectic mix of architectural styles and eras here.
The Key Peninsula, often called “The Key” by locals, offers a more rural and laid-back lifestyle compared to central Gig Harbor. Known for its wooded landscapes, small communities, and miles of shoreline, it’s perfect for those who want space, privacy, and a slower pace while still being part of the greater Gig Harbor area.
Yes – many properties line Carr Inlet, Henderson Bay, and Case Inlet, ranging from cozy cabins to large estates with private beaches and docks.
Day-to-day shopping and dining are available in small town centers like Key Center, with Gig Harbor’s larger retail and medical services about 20–30 minutes away.
Residents enjoy boating, kayaking, fishing, clamming, hiking in Penrose Point State Park and exploring the peninsula’s many hidden coves and beaches.
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Long-time Gig Harbor resident and realtor. Darren has raised two kids in town and helped hundreds of clients buy and sell real estate here.
Have questions about Gig Harbor Real Estate or just want to chat? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
