Discover Yakima: Surprising FAQs About Our Valley

Welcome to Yakima: Let’s Talk FAQs

If you’ve ever had a quirky, curious, or slightly offbeat question about life in Yakima, Washington, you’re not alone. I’ve heard them all, from the innocent orchard trespasser hoping for a free apple to the Seattle transplant wondering if we really have wine and Wi-Fi out here. (Spoiler alert: Yes, and yes!) So, I thought it would be fun to tackle some of the most frequently asked questions I get as a local real estate pro, and as someone who truly loves calling Yakima home.

Can I Pick an Apple Off a Tree While Passing by an Orchard?

Oh, this one makes me laugh every time, mainly because I totally get the temptation. You’re driving down a country road, the sun is shining, and those juicy apples are practically waving at you. But here’s the deal: those beautiful orchards are private property. Picking fruit, even just one piece, isn’t just frowned upon, it’s actually illegal. You can’t grab a cherry, a peach, or leave a quarter on the branch as payment. Nice try, but no dice!

If fruit picking is calling your name, check out one of our local U-pick farms. You’ll get the experience (and the fruit) without breaking any laws. And if you plan your visit for late summer or early fall, you’ll hit prime harvest time. Make sure to bring sunscreen and a basket, Yakima’s sunshine is no joke!

Is Yakima Really the “Palm Springs of Washington”?

Okay, time for a little family story. That delightful catchphrase, “Palm Springs of Washington, ” actually came from my Uncle Gary. Back in the 1970s, my family migrated north from California. When they landed here, Yakima’s warm, dry climate and golden hills felt just like home. Armed with a witty spirit and a vision, Uncle Gary came up with the idea for the sign. Guess what? It worked.

The sign sparked curiosity and landed us in Sunset Magazine, the New York Times, and even 60 Minutes. No, we don’t have palm trees, but we do have sunshine, rolling hills, and a lifestyle that draws people in. Sure, it’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but the nickname stuck, and we’re proud of it.

What Kind of People Will I Run Into at the Grocery Store?

Picture this: You’re strolling the produce aisle and down comes a man in dusty overalls and work boots. You might think he’s just grabbed a milk run in between chores, but chances are, he’s a multi-million-dollar farmer with generations of experience.

Farmers are the true rockstars in Yakima. They’re innovators, engineers, and scientists these days. Of course, you might also bump into a winemaker or even a local rodeo celebrity (yes, that happens, too!). But if you’re going by odds, it’s most likely a farmer, and probably one with a story or two to tell.

So don’t be fooled by the old truck in the parking lot. Yakima’s agricultural roots run deep, and the people behind them are as genuine and down-to-earth as it gets.

How Do Yakima’s Mountain Views Compare to the West Side of Washington?

I lived on the “wet side” of the Cascades for over 15 years, so I’ve seen both sides. Let me tell you, waking up to views of Mount Adams and Mount Rainier feels like winning the scenery lottery. The sky is wide open, and the mountains are unobstructed. Imagine sipping your morning coffee with a clear view of snow-capped peaks and golden sunlight.

On the west side, sure, you’ve got the Olympic Mountains and some impressive views, but most days those views are covered by clouds and drizzle. In Yakima, we enjoy 300 days of sunshine a year, which means you get to actually see those mountains. That's something even long-time Seattleites are surprised by!

Biggest Culture Shocks for Newcomers from Seattle or Portland?

Ah yes, this is one I hear often, and there are definitely a few recurring themes that pop up:

• Sunshine overload: The minute folks unpack their bags, they also need to buy sunglasses and sunscreen. We get that much sun. Like I said earlier, 300 days a year is our average.
• No traffic: “You mean I don’t need an hour to drive five miles?” Exactly! In Yakima, 15 minutes is a long commute.
• Vibrant food scene: Believe it or not, we have some exceptional restaurants that rival big-city dining. From cozy farm-to-table spots to upscale eateries with local wine lists, Yakima is a culinary gem.
• Wine and craft culture: We’ve got over 140 wineries and 20+ breweries sprinkled across the valley. That’s right, wine country at your doorstep, without the Napa price tag.

For someone used to metro life, Yakima offers breathing room and simplicity without giving up modern comforts. You can own a home with a yard, see the stars at night, and still enjoy a craft cocktail downtown. And if you miss the city? Seattle is just a few hours' drive away.

Yakima Living Is A Lifestyle All Its Own

When people first come to Yakima, they’re often surprised, but in the best ways. They discover community warmth, a slower pace of life, and a surprising wealth of things to do. Whether you’re hiking the foothills, tasting award-winning wines, or soaking in mountain views from your front porch, life here is about balance.

And the best part? You can find all of this while spending less on housing than you would in Seattle or Portland. If you want to take a peek at the kinds of properties that are available, browse our current listings. You’ll see everything from charming downtown bungalows to spacious homes in East Valley with mountain views.

A Final Thought (And an Invitation)

I love questions like these because they go deeper than just facts, they get to the vibe and personality of our community. If you’ve got other questions swirling around as you consider a move to Yakima, or if this sparked a curiosity about daily life here, I’d love to hear from you. Don’t be shy!

Go ahead and reach out to us, or check out the channel if you're more of a visual explorer. And if you want more insights into life in Yakima, explore other posts on the blog. There is so much to love here, and I’m always excited to share it with you.

Full Video Transcript

…transcript…

Today, I thought it'd be fun if we look at frequently asked questions. Are you ready? Because I think they're going to be pretty entertaining. Okay, first up, can I walk into a random orchard and pick an apple or will I get chased out? I think the bigger question could be, will I be arrested? Here's the thing. All the orchards so tempting. They're everywhere. gorgeous, beautiful apples and cherries and peaches and pears. You cannot pick the fruit. That is all private property. You can't even leave a quarter on the tree for your fruit. No, you cannot pick the fruit off the trees. As tempting as it is, you you're thinking the orchard is what is one apple. We we we can't do that. Okay. Next up question is, is Yakama really the Palm Springs of Washington or is that just a clever marketing scheme? Here's a fun fact. My family is the one who has the Palm Springs of Washington sign. And it was my dad's brother, Gary Lucart. It was his idea. We are Californians at heart and moved up to Washington in the early 1970s. and Yakima reminded them a lot of palm springs because it was desert and brown rolling hills and so forth. We don't have any palm trees here, but Uncle Gary thought it would be a great catchy thing. Here's the best part. It really has worked. It's put us on the map. We've been in the New York Times, Sunset Magazine. We've been on 60 Minutes. We've been on lots of things with that catchy sign. So, while it's a little bit kitty, it did the job. Okay, next up. Am I more likely to meet a farmer, a wine maker, or a rodeo star at the grocery store? Boy, that's a really good one. That's a really good one. I'll tell you what, it's going to be a farmer. And here's the funny thing about farmers. The old guys, they're going to show up in overalls, pull up in their dusty old pickup truck, and you'd never know that they're multi-millionaires. Uh the other thing is these farmers now today, not only do they show up in old overalls, then you've got this young generation and they're much more engineers and scientists and really a educated folks. So, um it's a good mix, but most likely a farmer. Next up, how do Yakima's mountain views stack up against the other side of Washington? And for us, the other side of Washington would be what we called the west side of Washington, which is on the west side of the Cascade Mountains in the Seattle area. So, I lived over there for just over 15 years. This is my favorite part about waking up here in Yakama. We get a view of Mount Adams to the south and then Mount Reineer directly to the west of us. So, they're unobstructed views and they're so spectacular. I welcome those mountains every time that they come out. And then we're surrounded by rolling hills. The big difference, you go to the other side of the mountains, on the west side of the mountains, you'll see an entire Olympic mountain range and Mount Reineer and some days you can even see Mount Baker. But with all the rain and the cloud cover and poor weather, you don't get to see them all the time. So, I vote for Yakma because with our 300 days of sunshine, those two mountains make my day all the time. Okay, next up and my final one. What's the biggest culture shock for newcomers from Seattle or Portland? Well, one thing to have to go and buy some uh sunglasses right away, that's for sure. And maybe some sunscreen, too. Let's be honest, they're kind of pale over on the other side. It's pretty gorgeous here. So, I think our weather is definitely a big surprise. I think they're also surprised by the lack of traffic. I hear that a lot. Getting around here is really pretty darn easy compared to the city. And I always tell people, you buy back time. So, people are really surprised. What do you mean I don't need to plan an hour to get across town? Because you really don't. 15 minutes is a long time to drive in Yakima. So I think between that we have so much more sunshine, you need sunglasses, you need sunscreen. One of the other shocks I think would be the dining that we actually have some pretty exceptional restaurants here. I think people are surprised by that. And another thing I was just with another family, we have over 140 wineries here. And most people have no idea that that we have that sort of wine culture here. And of course uh what did I find? I think over 20 breweries here. So, the choices are endless. People are surprised by that. And the biggest thing, we're only a couple hour drive. So, there are five frequently asked questions. And if you have more questions, just drop it in the comments and I'll be sure to reach out. Be sure to hit like and subscribe so you can learn more about the Yakima Valley.