EXPLORE: Secret Summer with Jake + Jackie
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!
jake + jackie zappey
Veterans, teachers, authors
Jake + Jackie Zappey met and married during their station at the Bremerton Naval Base Kitsap. After an honorable discharge, they pursued teaching degrees and are employed by the South Kitsap School District. But that is just the tip of the iceberg! Jake is the author of two Northwest Mythology books and competes in local Strongman competitions (you may have spotted him at a Viking Fest competition or two). Jackie recently self-published a children’s book and also has several pageant titles under her belt including Ms. USA Universe Petite, Ms. USA Universe 2RU, and Ms. Veteran America 1RU. Jake + Jackie are both expert explorers and spend their remaining extra time volunteering with various community organizations, all while supporting their five children (and one grandchild!) in their various extra-curricular activities, hiking, wrestling, and football, just to name a few.
WE CAUGHT UP WITH Jake + Jackie TO GET tHEir TAKE ON WHERE TO GO FOR the best EATS, WATERING HOLES, LOCAL BUSINESSES, PLACES TO GET OUTSIDE, AND SPOTS TO TAKE FRIENDS FROM OUT OF TOWN.
EXPLORE KITSAP LIKE A LOCAL!
Jake + Jackie, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT KITSAP?
Jackie’s Favorite Local Meal:
“I am a huge fan of sushi and Mexican food. My favorite local sushi place is Mana Sushi & Teriyaki Wok. I really love the spicy tuna roll. Mandiles Mexican Grill and Mezcal Bar in Bremerton has the BEST tacos. I always order the taco plate and mix up which tacos I want that day.”
Jake’s Favorite Local Meal:
“One of my favorite spots is Pho Golden for a bahn mi sandwich and a giant bowl of pho. But I will say, there is a new contender for my new favorite place and that is Pho Season over on Mile Hill, both are great.”
Jackie’s Favorite Local Drink:
“I love to go to Stormy Espresso for a tasty coffee drink! The owner, Arleen, is the sweetest and so caring. For a delicious mimosa flight, I definitely recommend Peninsula BevCo. They have a ton of options to choose from. My favorite are their seasonal choices. I went around St. Patrick’s Day and they had a green glittery drink that was delicious and festive!”
Jake’s Favorite Local Drink:
“My favorite local drink spot would have to be Whiskey Gulch. It has the best view of the shipyard with the Olympics in the background. It also has amazing sunsets. You can even see whales! They have over 70 whiskeys to choose from and great local beers on tap, which is what I usually order.”
Jackie’s Favorite local businesses:
“Gigi’s Emporium is my favorite local business. They are the cutest clothing boutique. Pretty sure at least half my closet is from there! Their customer service is always above and beyond, they always help me find the right size, and tell me their opinion when I can’t decide between two options. Spoiler: I usually end up buying both because their prices are affordable and everything is so cute.”
Jake’s Favorite local businesses:
“I always think Josephine’s and Gathered by Jo’s has cool local stuff. They have cute Northwest themed gifts for any occasion. They have clothes, food items, and pretty much anything you could want. I also love stopping in to Salmonberry Books. It’s a small store, but they have a great selection of books and Lizzy, the owner is very friendly.”
Pick up a copy of one of Jake’s books on your next visit to Salmonberry Books.
Jackie’s favorite place to get outside:
“I am a huge fan of hunting the Northern Lights and I have seen them several times in Kitsap. My favorite spot to view them is Seabeck, you’re right on the water looking up at the beautiful lights.”
Jake’s favorite place to get outside:
“There’s so many spots. It’s hard to pick. My go to place for a short walk is Manchester State Park. It has a good variety of nature walks, bunkers, and cool rock formations at low tide. Plus, there’s a wide array of animals that you can run into depending on when you go. My favorite place to go swimming is Olalla Bay. The water is usually clear and pretty cold.”
Jackie’s Favorite Sunny/rainy Day Activities:
“I enjoy going on drives, especially in the sunshine. There are so many great spots to check out around Kitsap County that are beautiful. My favorite view is any area on the water where you can see all of the ships. My husband and I met on an aircraft carrier so that brings me happiness.
When it’s raining I like to go into all the shops downtown in Port Orchard. From Salmonberry Books to Carter and Company for a tasty treat to shopping for local gifts at Gathered by Jo’s. And you already know I am making a stop into Gigi’s Emporium to check out their newest clothes.”
Jake’s Favorite Sunny/rainy Day Activities:
“I really enjoy going swimming or hiking in the sunshine. One of my favorite longer hikes locally is around Green and Gold Mountains. When it’s raining I like to go to Blue Sky Hobbies in Bremerton. I order a cup of black coffee and look at their large selection of games.”
Jackie’s Favorite Spot to Take First-Time Visitors:
“As a Veteran, military history is important to me. I would take my friends to the Puget Sound Navy Museum in Bremerton so they can learn more about the Navy history and see photos of close friends I served with in the military who are featured in the museum. Afterwards, I would take them on a tour of the USS Turner Joy. My husband and I have enjoyed many tours aboard the USS Turner Joy. We thoroughly enjoyed the ‘ghost tour’, also the daytime tours are self-guided and allow you to see most areas at your own pace. The significance of it all is so impactful.”
Admission to the Puget Sound Navy Museum and the Kitsap History Museum are both free!
Jake’s Favorite Spot to Take First-Time Visitors:
“What’s the season? If it’s warmer weather I am going to take them to Olalla Bay, then we’d make our way around Port Orchard via the waterfront views with a stop in Manchester to show them the view of Seattle and then downtown Bay Street for a walk on the waterfront. If it’s bad weather, then we’ll just pretend it’s not cold and do the best we can because it’s still beautiful even on the soggier days.”
From the zappey’s Camera Roll:
A perfect summer itinerary, by jake & jackie
Friday: Bremerton
Eat: Grab tacos and Mandiles Mexican Grill and Mexican Grill
Explore: Drive out to Green Mountain and hike up the Gold Creek Trail to see sweeping views of downtown Seattle.
Experience: Book a tour on the USS Turner Joy and explore the (free!) Puget Sound Navy Museum and learn more about our rich naval heritage.
Saturday: Downtown Port Orchard
Eat: Hit up the food trucks and fresh local produce at the farmers market from 9a-2p, Mercantile Coffee Co for the perfect iced coffee and Peninsual Bev Co or Brickhouse for burgers, wraps and salads.
Explore: Local downtown shopping - antique stores, vinyl, book stores (pick up a copy of Jake’s book at Salmonberry Books), the lego store and the sweetest clothing boutique on the block - Gigi’s Emporium.
Experience: Hop in the car and drive along the waterfront until you hit Manchester State Park. Experience retired military bunkers up close and personal while taking in the gorgeous views of the Washington State Ferries and Mount Rainier on your walk through the woods.
Sunday: explore two micro-communities, Olalla + Seabeck
Eat: Head to Olalla Bay and enjoy your morning coffee and treats of choice on their back deck overlooking the entrance to Colvos Passage, Mount Rainier and Vashon Island. If you’re lucky, you might spot a pod of orcas, the passage is a frequent path for orcas.
Explore: Drive north for about 40 minutes to Seabeck, another micro-community, on the Hood Canal. Buy a slice of pizza at the Seabeck Pizza flagship site before heading to the beach. Sit and enjoy the beach just a few feet from Seabeck Pizza or hop back in the car and drive for a few more minutes to Scenic Beach State Park.
Experience: Guillemot Cove is the quintessential Kitsap experience! Wander through the wooded trails and boardwalks over marshes till you find Stumphouse. Your wandering will eventually end at the ‘cove’, a secluded beach, part of the warm Hood Canal waters. Dive in and relax till your heart is content.
Stay in Kitsap
Scroll through to see some of our favorite Port Orchard and Bremerton stay options.
explore even more of Kitsap!
Stunning beachfront on the shores of Port Orchard with unobstructed, waterfront vistas from inside the window-lined living area and furnished deck beneath by a canopy of trees.