Your Complete Guide to
Living on Lake Sammamish
Activities, dining, shopping, and the waterfront lifestyle that makes Lake Sammamish one of the Pacific Northwest’s most sought-after communities.
Eastside’s Crown Jewel
Created by glacial activity, Lake Sammamish stretches seven miles long and 1.5 miles wide, sitting just eight miles east of Seattle. The lake connects four of the Eastside’s most sought-after communities, Sammamish, Issaquah, Bellevue, and Redmond, offering residents waterfront living within commuting distance of the region’s major tech employers.
Surrounded by 531 acres of state parkland, miles of shoreline trails, and a growing culinary and retail scene, Lake Sammamish delivers a rare combination of natural beauty and urban convenience. Whether you’re drawn to morning paddleboard sessions, evening sunsets from your private dock, or weekend brunches in downtown Issaquah, life here revolves around the water and the community it creates.
Lake Sammamish State Park alone attracts over 2 million visitors annually, featuring nearly 7,000 feet of waterfront, two sandy beaches, kayak rentals, and diverse wetland ecosystems that include a great blue heron rookery. Residents enjoy year-round access to fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing, all just minutes from home.
Lake Sammamish Paddle Co. offers seasonal rentals at Tibbetts Beach. Paddle across calm waters or up Issaquah Creek for a quieter route through the wetlands. Residents with private docks can launch directly from home.
The lake supports a healthy population of rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon, and yellow perch. A Washington recreation license is required. Shoreline fishing is available at the state park and Marymoor Park.
Motorized boating, waterskiing, jet skiing, and tubing are all popular on Lake Sammamish. Nine watercraft launches are available at the state park with a daily $7 permit. Many waterfront homes include private docks with boat lifts.
The East Lake Sammamish Trail stretches 10 miles along the eastern shore. Inside the state park, the Issaquah Creek Trail and Wetland Interpretive Trail offer shorter options through forests and wetlands.
Sunset Beach is the largest freshwater beach in the greater Seattle area, while Tibbetts Beach offers a quieter sand-and-pebble mix. Both feature playgrounds, picnic areas, and change rooms. Idylwood Park adds another beach option on the west shore.
The state park’s wetlands are home to a great blue heron rookery and over 200 observed bird species. Residents regularly spot bald eagles, deer, and beavers. The Wetland Interpretive Trail provides boardwalk access to prime viewing areas.
The dining scene around Lake Sammamish spans upscale Italian and farm-to-table in downtown Issaquah to neighborhood steakhouses and authentic Asian cuisine across the Eastside.
An award-winning restaurant in the heart of downtown Issaquah offering handcrafted gourmet Italian cuisine and an exceptional wine selection. Known for dishes like wild mushroom pasta with truffle sauce and filet mignon with lobster tail, Montalcino brings an authentic Italian dining experience to the Lake Sammamish community.
15 NW Alder Pl • IssaquahA community staple on Front Street in downtown Issaquah, Levitate serves scratch-made meals with locally sourced Pacific Northwest ingredients. The craft cocktail program and rooftop patio make it a popular gathering spot for Lake Sammamish residents, whether catching weekend brunch or an evening game.
185 Front St N • IssaquahA beloved Eastside institution serving premium steaks cooked to perfection for over 20 years. The Issaquah location carries the same quality and welcoming atmosphere as the original West Seattle spot. Reservations are recommended but not required — a reliable choice for Lake Sammamish residents who appreciate a perfectly prepared cut.
Gilman Blvd • IssaquahNestled in Gilman Village, The Well & Table is a charming farm-to-table restaurant with a thoughtfully curated seasonal menu that highlights Pacific Northwest produce, meats, and seafood. Each dish reflects the region’s agricultural bounty — a fitting dining experience for residents who value local sourcing and seasonal eating.
Gilman Village • IssaquahServing authentic Thai food since 1989, Bai Tong grew from a small restaurant started by a former Thai Airways flight attendant into one of the greater Eastside’s most respected Thai dining destinations. The Redmond location is a short drive from Lake Sammamish’s northern shore, offering bold flavors in a warm atmosphere.
14804 NE 24th St • RedmondAuthentic Mexican cuisine prepared with traditional recipes, an extensive tequila selection, and handcrafted margaritas. La Casita is located directly within the Sammamish community, making it one of the closest dining options for Lake Sammamish residents looking for a festive evening out with family or friends.
3076 Issaquah-Pine Lake Rd SE • SammamishLake Sammamish connects eight distinct communities across the Eastside, each with its own character, amenities, and waterfront appeal. Explore below to find the right fit.
A seven-mile freshwater lake just 30 minutes east of Seattle. Surrounded by four cities and 24 miles of shoreline, Lake Sammamish is home to some of the most coveted waterfront properties in Washington. Direct lake access, private docks, and panoramic mountain views define life here.
Known locally as “the plateau,” Sammamish offers peaceful residential neighborhoods, top-rated schools in the Issaquah School District, and a strong sense of community. East Lake Sammamish properties along the shoreline feature private waterfront access with views of the Cascades.
A smaller, serene lake community tucked within the Sammamish plateau. Pine Lake offers a more intimate waterfront experience with private shoreline homes surrounded by mature evergreens. Residents enjoy Pine Lake Park, local trails, and proximity to both Issaquah and Sammamish town centers.
A hidden gem within the Sammamish plateau, Beaver Lake provides a tranquil residential enclave with lakefront properties, wooded lots, and a community park featuring swimming access and picnic facilities. Minutes from major corridors yet tucked away from the bustle.
Washington’s second-largest lake and the Eastside’s most prestigious waterfront address. Lake Washington shoreline properties in Bellevue, Kirkland, and Medina represent the pinnacle of Pacific Northwest luxury, with expansive estates, private docks, and unobstructed views of the Seattle skyline.
Bellevue’s west shore of Lake Sammamish delivers premium waterfront living with proximity to world-class dining, upscale retail at Bellevue Square, and major employers including Amazon and T-Mobile. Properties here command top-tier prices for good reason — unmatched convenience and views.
Issaquah anchors the southern shore of Lake Sammamish, combining a walkable historic downtown with modern developments like Issaquah Highlands. Home to Lake Sammamish State Park, Gilman Village, and a growing restaurant scene, Issaquah offers culture and convenience at the foot of the Cascades.
Home to Microsoft and Nintendo, Redmond sits at Lake Sammamish’s northern tip where Marymoor Park meets the shoreline. The Idylwood neighborhood has seen significant waterfront appreciation, and the city balances a thriving tech economy with scenic green spaces and trail systems.
Answers to the most common questions from buyers exploring waterfront property, lifestyle, and real estate around Lake Sammamish, Washington.
Homes along Lake Sammamish generally start around $1.2 million, with luxury lakefront properties ranging from $2 million to over $10 million depending on lot size, shoreline footage, dock access, and home features. Premium waterfront enclaves like Mint Grove on the east shore and west shore properties in Bellevue command the highest prices in the Lake Sammamish real estate market.
Lake Sammamish offers waterskiing, jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and birdwatching. Lake Sammamish State Park provides two sandy beaches, seasonal kayak rentals, three playgrounds, and miles of trails through forests and wetlands. Marymoor Park at the lake’s northern tip adds a 640-acre recreation area with sports courts, a climbing wall, and a 40-acre off-leash dog park.
Popular dining options near Lake Sammamish include Montalcino Ristorante Italiano for upscale Italian in downtown Issaquah, Levitate Gastropub for scratch-made meals and craft cocktails, JaK’s Grill for premium steaks, The Well & Table for farm-to-table at Gilman Village, Bai Tong Thai in Redmond, and La Casita Cocina Mexicana in Sammamish. Downtown Issaquah and Gilman Village offer additional cafes and specialty restaurants.
Shopping destinations near Lake Sammamish include Gilman Village with over 40 boutiques in historic buildings, Issaquah Commons anchored by Target, REI, and Trader Joe’s, Grand Ridge Plaza with Dick’s Sporting Goods and Regal Cinemas, and Lake Sammamish Center for everyday essentials. Downtown Bellevue and Bellevue Square are also just 15 minutes from the lake for upscale retail.
Lake Sammamish waterfront properties have historically held strong value due to extremely limited shoreline supply and consistently high demand from tech professionals in Bellevue, Redmond, and across the Eastside. Proximity to major employers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta continues to drive buyer interest. Market forecasts project 3 to 6 percent appreciation heading into 2026, with premium waterfront homes retaining value even during broader market corrections.
Lake Sammamish is bordered by four cities: Sammamish on the east, Bellevue on the west, Issaquah on the south, and Redmond on the north. Nearby lake communities include Pine Lake and Beaver Lake within the Sammamish plateau. Each community offers a distinct lifestyle, from Sammamish’s family-oriented neighborhoods and top-rated schools to Bellevue’s urban luxury, Issaquah’s historic downtown charm, and Redmond’s tech-hub energy.
Key considerations include shoreline regulations under Washington’s Shoreline Management Act, dock permits and water access type (private dock, shared dock, or deeded shorelands), bank classification (low-bank for easy water access versus high-bank for elevated views), sun exposure and property orientation, flood zone status, and zoning codes that vary by municipality. Working with a waterfront specialist ensures these nuances are evaluated before making an offer.
Yes, a Washington State Discover Pass is required for vehicle entry to Lake Sammamish State Park. Annual passes cost $30 and day passes are $10, available at the park entrance. Boaters launching from the park also need a daily watercraft permit at $7 in addition to the Discover Pass. A Washington recreation fishing license is required if you plan to fish on the lake.
The Lake Sammamish real estate market remains competitive. The Greater Eastside median sale price held steady at approximately $1.6 million in 2025, with 55 percent of homes selling at or above list price. Waterfront inventory remains extremely limited, with just 31 Lake Sammamish waterfront sales recorded in 2025. Increased inventory across the broader Eastside is providing buyers with more options, though competition for prime lakefront properties continues to be fierce.
Margo Allan is a recognized Seattle Magazine five-star broker who specializes exclusively in marketing and selling waterfront real estate on the greater Eastside. Her deep knowledge of Lake Sammamish includes expertise in dock construction, zoning codes, sun and sound exposure, water depth, topography, and the unique nuances of each lakefront neighborhood. Whether buying or selling, Margo’s focused specialization ensures clients receive informed guidance throughout every waterfront transaction.
Margo and her team are happy to answer any questions about Lake Sammamish waterfront living.
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Margo Allan | Compass
700 110th Ave NE, Suite 270 Bellevue, WA 98004
