Puget Sound Lifestyle - St. Joseph Pharmacy Residency

In the heart of the Puget Sound, Tacoma and Pierce County rise from sea level to the 14,410 foot crest of Mt. Rainier. Located in Western Washington, halfway between the state’s largest city, Seattle, and the state’s capital, Olympia; Tacoma is bounded on the west by Puget Sound, with the Olympic Mountains in the distant northwest, and on the east by the Cascade Range.

Tacoma is the major community in Pierce County, the state’s second most populated county. A selection of year-round activities reinforces the quality of life in the Puget Sound area: boating, hiking, camping, running, biking, golfing and seasonal sports such as fresh and salt water fishing, skiing, and swimming.

What’s there to see and do in your spare time? Climb Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams or Mt. Baker; fish for salmon; walk in the VMFH-sponsored annual Heart Walk; tour the waterfront; take a ferry to Victoria, BC; browse through world-class museums; see renowned glass makers at work in the Museum of Glass; watch local theater productions; hear a symphony orchestra; visit the Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium with 700 acres of lush city park; taste wine at local wineries; sail the waters of Puget Sound; ski at one of eight local ski areas within a 200 mile radius; or attend major league baseball, football, hockey, and soccer games; among much more!

A diversified economic base provides Seattle-Tacoma residents with employment in government, education, retail trade, services, agriculture, industrial seaport, construction, manufacturing, and national defense. More information about surrounding communities can be found here.