West Sound, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Sound
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 West Sound
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | San Juan |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
98245
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West Sound (or Westsound) is a small, quiet community. It is located on Orcas Island in San Juan County, Washington, United States. West Sound is known as an unincorporated community. This means it does not have its own local government, like a city or town would. Instead, it is managed by the larger county government.
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What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place where people live together, but it's not officially a city or town. It doesn't have its own mayor or city council. Services like roads, police, and fire departments are usually provided by the county.
Life in West Sound
West Sound is part of the beautiful San Juan Islands. These islands are famous for their stunning natural beauty. Many people visit the islands for outdoor activities. These activities include kayaking, whale watching, and hiking.
Orcas Island is the largest of the San Juan Islands. It is shaped like a horseshoe. The island has many small communities like West Sound. Life here is often peaceful and connected to nature.
Getting to West Sound
Getting to West Sound, like other parts of Orcas Island, usually involves a ferry ride. The Washington State Ferries system connects the islands to the mainland. This makes it easy for people to visit or live there.
Westsound Seaplane Base
West Sound has its own small airport for seaplanes. It is called the Westsound Seaplane Base. A seaplane is an aircraft that can take off from and land on water. This base provides another way for people to travel to and from Orcas Island. It is especially useful for quick trips. The airport codes for this base are WSX and WA83.
