Madrona

Madrona prides itself on being a neighborhood rich in diversity and history. It offers a refreshing change to the poshness of nearby Madison Park and Washington Park. Madrona is located on a slope rising from Lake Washington, so there are hill-top views that go east and west. To the east, views overlook Bellevue, Lake Washington, the Cascade Mountains and moonrises; to the east it’s downtown Seattle, the Olympic Mountains and sunsets.

The homes are a mix of mid-century, contemporary, brick and bungalow styles. This is a spectacular walking area, with parks and gardens that unfold and bloom throughout the seasons. The small but growing business strip is on 34th, which includes restaurants, shops and retailers, cafes, a local winery and a renovated yellow-stucco gas station (now a frame shop and gallery).

Along the lake you have Madrona Park, which comes with a snack bar, picnic tables and covered shelters that can be reserved through the Public Parks system. A bathhouse doubles as the home to a dance company and offers year-round classes. This swimming beach is full-service: lifeguards, a roped-in swimming area, floating dock and facilities.

POPULATION: 1,200

DEMOGRAPHICS: Racially mixed middle-class and upper-class families

TYPES OF HOMES: Mid-century, Contemporary, Brick, Bungalow

COMMUNITY BLOG: Central District News

LIBRARY: Madrona-Sally Goldmark Library, located at 1134 34th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122, Tel. (206) 684-4705

FARMERS MARKET: Madrona Farmers Market, open every Friday from  3-7 p.m., from May 20 to September 30, 2011, located in the parking lot of the Madrona Grocery Outlet at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and E. Union Street.

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS: Bottle House, St. Clouds, Bistro Turkuaz,Naam Thai

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS: The Hi Spot Cafe, Verite Coffee