South Sound

South Sound, found in Washington State's Pacific Northwest Region, is the southern end of famous Puget Sound.  Extending from just south of WA’s chief city of Seattle, the South Sound Region includes parts of Mason, Thurston, Pierce and King Counties.

South Sound contains the major port city of Tacoma.  The Sea-Tac International Airport (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport), the Northwest hub of transportation, provides easy access to the region.  Found here also is Washington’s Capital City of Olympia, Puget Sound’s southern terminus.  The South Sound region extends inland all the way to the Cascade Mountains to the east, and the Olympic Peninsula to the west.

A large number of creeks, river basinss and inlets grace the South Sound region, creating a water wonderland and a natural haven for boaters, kayakers and canoe enthusiasts.  Vashon Island, just west and south of Seattle, offers a slower pace of rural living, with pristine beaches, pasturelands and rustic small towns, while the Washington Ferry System provides a quick commute in to the glittering city lights. Ketron, (also known as Steilacoom), Foxx, Anderson and Mc Neil Islands provide similar lifestyle choices, situated within ferry commute to both Tacoma and Olympia.

South Puget Sound provided food and shelter to Native Americansns long before the white settlers discovered its bounty.  A number of tribes gathered here during the annual salmon runs, and throughout the year to go crabbing, shell fishing, and foraging the woodlands for huckleberries and cedar bark.  The Port Madison Reservation, home to the Suquamish Tribe, lies at the northern end of South Sound, with Seattle to its west.  Native Americans called Puget Sound Whulge, meaning salt water.

South Sound reaches beyond the Puget Sound waters, extending into the sparsely populated d Olympic Peninsula to the west, site of the Olympic National Forest.  This amazing wilderness area includes rain forest, rugged mountains, lakes, rivers and saltwater beaches.  To the east, South Sound reaches to the Mount Rainier National Park where Washington’s majestic Cascade Range Volcanoes tower, some exceeding 14,000 feet.   Nestling in the shadows of these mountains are several wonderful towns and small cities, including Bonney Lake, Fife, Edgewood, Puyallup, Sumner and Milton.

South Sound claims some of the finest that Washington State offers.  From pristine islands and long saltwater beaches, to rugged mountains and lush rainforests, South Sound residents enjoy a wide range of choices in lifestyle.