Written Directions
*Start at the Southworth Ferry Terminal outside Port Orchard, WA.
*Take SE Southworth Dr west and then north to follow the waterfront.
*As Southworth Dr curves into SE Mile Hill Dr, take the right onto Colechester Dr
*Follow Colechester Dr into Manchester. At the stop sign, turn left onto Main St, go one block, then turn right on Beach Dr.
*Beach Dr will go north to the water, then cut back southwest and follow the beach to Port Orchard where the road name turns into Bay St.
*Follow Bay St through Port Orchard and continue along the water until you merge onto Hwy 16.
*Stay right on Hwy 16 for a few thousand feet into Gorst where it merges into Hwy 3 going north..
*Follow Hwy 3 along the waterfront and take Exit 36 right onto Charleston Blvd which continues to follow the water past the Naval Shipyard into Bremermton.
*Just as Charleston Blvd turn into Callow Ave, take a right onto Burwell St (304).
*Follow Burwell east until it stops at the water. Take Washington Ave left.
*Follow Washington Ave north for about 5 blocks then turn right onto the Manette Bridge.
*After crossing the Manette Bridge, take Wheaton Way north out of the traffic circle then turn left when you get to Lebo Blvd.
*As Lebo Blvd goes west and approaches the edge of the water, the road name turns into Tracyton Beach Rd.
****As Tracyton Beach Rd leaves the waters edge, the ride is basically over. I'm not sure if you need a finite point to finish the ride, but I would suggest the following if you do****
*Follow Tracyton Beach Rd then turn left onto Riddell Rd. Take Riddell Rd west about 2 blocks, but follow the curve to the right as it turns into May St.
*Follow May St north about 2 blocks. The Tracyton Public House is on the left and has good food (especially wings) and libations.
Scenery
This short ride includes waterfront views of three bodies of water - the Puget Sound, Sinclair Inlet, and Dyes Inlet. Starting at the Southworth Ferry Terminal, this ride provides myriad of landscapes in its less than 30 mile ride to Tracyton. The Seattle skyline is visible from Manchester. View Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the iconic WWII Hammerhead Crane from across the water on Beach Drive and up close in downtown Bremerton. Ride through Port Orchard's charming downtown and marina area. If the weather is clear, views of the Cascades and especially the Olympic Mountains are sprinkled throughout the ride. Beach Drive between Manchester and Port Orchard is particularly breathtaking at sunset. One section Southworth Dr offers complete foliage canopy.
Drive Enjoyment
Much of the ride is along well maintained waterfront properties. There are plenty of curves, but this is not a high speed trek. There are just enough curves to keep the ride interesting, but the scenery is what this ride is all about.
Tourism Opportunities
Food is plentiful and delicious along the entire route. The usual suspects of fast food and fuel are liberally sprinkled along the ride. The Horse & Cow Bar and Grill in Bremerton has great food and is nearly a museum with all the Navy submarine paraphernalia hanging on the walls and ceilings. Port Orchard, Bremerton, and Manette have many offerings with fresh sea food and other local fare - Amy's on the Bay in Port Orchard and Anthony's and the Boat Shed in Manette are highlights. Addtionally, Larry & Kristi's Bakery in Manette have the best donuts in the area. The Tracyton Public House is located at the end of the ride and has excellent wings and the typical assortment of libations.
Manchester State Park is just off the route providing exploring opportunities in abandoned Navy torpedo warehouse and concrete bunkers. A free Bug and Reptile Museum is located along Charleston Blvd across the road from the Navy's old mothball carrier fleet moored at the west end of the Navy base. In downtown Bremerton don't forget to stop and see the Harborside Fountains and the free Puget Sound Navy Museum. Also available is paid tours of the USS Turner Joy - a retired Navy Destroyer.
