Where is the highest point in Seattle?

The city's highest point is Myrtle Reservoir Park in High Point, at 35th Avenue SW and SW Myrtle Street. It sits 520 feet, or about 160 meters, above sea level.

What is High Point in West Seattle known for?

It is known for holding Seattle's highest ground, two large water towers, and a major mixed-income redevelopment led by the Seattle Housing Authority. It is also one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods.

Why is the High Point redevelopment considered notable?

The rebuild used green features such as permeable paving, Energy Star homes and the only porous pavement street in Washington. It won several national and global awards in 2007.

Which library serves High Point?

The High Point Branch of the Seattle Public Library serves the neighborhood and has been in its current building since 2004. The Delridge Branch on Delridge Way is also nearby.

High Point, Seattle: A Guide to West Seattle's Hilltop

High Point in Seattle is a hilltop neighborhood in West Seattle's Delridge district, named for holding the city's highest ground. Myrtle Reservoir Park, at 35th Avenue SW and SW Myrtle Street, sits 520 feet above sea level. Today the area is a mixed-income community known for sustainable design, cultural diversity, neighborhood gardens and its own public library branch.

Where High Point Sits in West Seattle

The neighborhood lies on the east side of 35th Avenue SW, one of the peninsula's main north and south streets. Its rough edges run from SW Juneau Street in the north to SW Myrtle Street in the south. Delridge Way, another major corridor, runs to the east.

Two large water towers rise over the hill and make the area easy to spot. Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Parish also stands here, on the peak of the tallest hill in West Seattle.

Read the full High Point guide

Standing on Seattle's Highest Point

Many people search for the highest point in Seattle and expect a mountain trail or a dramatic summit. The real answer is quieter: a reservoir park on a residential corner. Myrtle Reservoir Park reaches 520 feet, or about 160 meters, which is the top of the city.

West Seattle as a whole is known for views of the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east. A visit to the city's peak pairs well with that broader sense of the landscape. Check Seattle Parks and Recreation for current park details before you go.

From Wartime Housing to a Green Model

The original neighborhood

High Point was first built during World War II as government housing. Through the 1990s it remained mostly low-income housing, and many locals still remember the old High Point Projects. Those buildings came down in 2005.

A full rebuild

In 2003 the Seattle Housing Authority started the first phase of a six-year plan to turn High Point into a mixed-income community. The work went far beyond new buildings. Every existing home, road and utility line was removed, then replaced with new streets, underground systems, community facilities and roughly 1,600 homes.

What makes it sustainable

The rebuild leaned hard on green building ideas, and many details are visible from the sidewalk. Look for these features as you walk the streets:

Permeable paving on sidewalks and parking areas, which lets rainwater soak through.
A porous pavement street, the only one of its kind in Washington State.
Energy Star homes across most of the housing, with the site and rentals certified at the top BuiltGreen levels.
Asthma-friendly houses, some of which were designed to ease symptoms for residents.

The plan earned major recognition in 2007, including the ULI Global Award of Excellence, the EPA National Award for Smart Growth and the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence.

A Neighborhood of Many Cultures

High Point ranks among the most diverse neighborhoods in Seattle. A large share of residents are immigrants from Southeast Asia and East Africa. That mix shapes daily life here, from the people tending garden plots to the families using the library and playfield.

Gardens, Green Space and Play

Community gardens are woven through the redeveloped streets. City records list several, including the MacArthur Lane Park Garden, the Commons Garden, and the Juneau Garden and Market Garden. They give the neighborhood a lived-in, growing feel, especially in the warmer months.

Walt Hundley Playfield offers room for sports and open play. Much of West Seattle's green character also extends nearby, since the area holds about a third of the city's green space and urban forest.

Libraries That Serve High Point

The High Point Branch of the Seattle Public Library on SW Raymond Street has served the area since 1942. It moved into its current building in 2004, around the same time the neighborhood itself was being rebuilt.

Along Delridge Way, the Delridge Branch library is another good stop, with small parks and community gardens a short walk away. Check the Seattle Public Library for current hours, which can change.

Getting There and Exploring Nearby

King County Metro buses connect West Seattle with downtown. The RapidRide H Line runs along Delridge Way, close to the neighborhood's eastern side, and crosses the West Seattle Bridge into the city center.

High Point also makes an easy base for the rest of the peninsula. The Junction, the main shopping district at California Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street, hosts West Seattle Summer Fest each July. Alki Beach, with its sand, driftwood and tidepools at low tide, lies to the north, and Lincoln Park sits to the southwest.