EXPLORE: Secret Summer with Ryan Brewer of newlife
EXPLORE NOT-SO-SECRET SPOTS TO EAT, SHOP & ADVENTURE THAT LOCALS RECOMMEND THIS SPRING & SUMMER!
Secret Summer gives you the scoop on the restaurants, shops, parks and places to explore that Kitsap community leaders & small business owners love to experience during the sunny months. Look for new Secret Summer articles on the regular around here and start planning your Summer adventures today!
ryan brewer
newlife south,
pastor
Ryan & Sarah Brewer and their two kids are expert explorers and adventurers who love adventuring on the Kitsap Peninsula! From overnight hiking, fishing, and hunting to building sandcastles and swimming with their pup Jake, this family’s vast knowledge of everything good in Kitsap will inspire you to get outside and play with yours!
WE CAUGHT UP WITH Ryan TO GET His TAKE ON WHERE HE LOVES TO GO FOR EATS, WATERING HOLES, LOCAL BUSINESSES, PLACES TO GET OUTSIDE, AND SPOTS TO TAKE FRIENDS FROM OUT OF TOWN.
EXPLORE KITSAP LIKE A LOCAL!
ryan, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT KITSAP?
ryan’s Favorite Local meal:
‘It’s brand new to Bay Street (in the old Bay Street Bistro building) and is still in its soft opening, but Khao Soi is soooo good! The Massaman Curry and Pad Thai are the best in all of Kitsap. Their flagship location is in the heart of Manette with a panoramic view of the water. Port Orchard is their second location, same menu in both locations and everything is dialed.’
ryan’s Favorite Local Drink:
‘Ok, ok I have 2 that are different.
1) Mercantile Coffee has great seasonal drink specials that rotate and I trust the baristas to make their favorite.
2) And I do not do this enough, the patio at McCormick Woods is hard to beat on a beautiful day and you have to go with the Ridgetop Red from Silver City.’
Ryan’s Favorite Local Brand or Business:
‘This one is a given, but Revival and Josephine Mercantile are both cool spots that we meet up with friends when they visit and everyone always enjoys perusing antiques and finding PNW themed gifts. Josephine’s is fun because you always know that there will be something new and interesting to peruse. I have great memories of walking through the different vendor spaces with the kids searching out the perfect birthday or Mother’s Day gift for my wife Sarah.
We also love Whiskey Gulch and its heart for the community. The ahi tuna tacos alone are worth a trip, but it’s also a great spot to sit and connect with a friend.’
Ryan’s favorite place to get outside:
‘So many great places to explore outside.
Let’s keep it in South Kitsap, my hometown for a bit -
1) Anderson Point is a ton of fun to hike down to, enjoy the beach and collect shells.
2) Blake Island, boat out and spend a day exploring the trails and paddle boarding around the island. It’s so fun and the views of Seattle from the north side of the island can’t be beat.
3) Banner Forest has tons of mountain bike trails and is a great spot to run the dog around.
Other locations around Kitsap that we enjoy are:
1) Watching the sunset at Point No Point is hard to beat.
2) There is a secret waterfall within Ueland Tree Farm trails that is fun to search out and explore.
3) A little hidden gem is the Big Cedar Trail in Central Kitsap - our family loves to hike in and splash around in the creek.
4) The best beach in Kitsap is Foulweather Bluff, you’ll find this super secret spot on the most northern point of Kitsap, in Hansville.’
Ryan’s Favorite Sunny Day Activity:
‘Our favorite thing to do is enjoy the water so we go to a beach or jump on the boat and do some wake surfing on Long Lake. Wye Lake is also a great little lake to fish or paddleboard.’
Ryan’s Favorite Rainy Day Activity:
‘When it rains, we hit the shops! We might head to the Trails in Silverdale or explore the shops on the Poulsbo waterfront. We enjoy eating at the Loft, they have a great view of the Poulsbo marina, and even when it’s raining it’s breathtaking. We watch all the boats sailing in and out of Liberty Bay and enjoy delicious comfort food.’
Ryan’s Favorite Spot to Take First-Time Visitors:
‘First-time visitors have to see a panoramic view of the Olympics…Scenic Beach with some Seabeck Pizza on the way. Sluy’s Bakery in Poulsbo is also a must-visit.’
From Ryan’s Camera Roll:
explore more of kitsap!
Stay in Kitsap
Scroll through to see some of our favorite options for your overnight stay in Kitsap.
If you only have a few hours on the bremerton waterfront and want explore public parks on foot, here’s a great walkable itinerary that takes you to easy accessible parks and public spaces to relax and play.