(light upbeat music) - Hey, I'm Rick Steves, and I love to travel.

Whether enjoying the wonders of Europe or the local sites right here in my hometown of Edmonds, Washington, getting out and exploring brings me so much joy, and you'd be surprised how many cool places and activities are right here in our own neighborhood and how easily you can get around these days using public transportation.

Where I live, Community Transit, the local transit provider, is better than ever at getting riders where they want to go throughout Snohomish County and beyond.

Whether you're traveling for work, school, shopping, dining, or just exploring, it's efficient, affordable, and a great way to experience our community.

I've partnered with Community Transit for a special series about the joy of travel right here in our own backyard.

Together, we'll explore our region and see how, when you take public transit, the journey can be part of the fun.

Thanks for joining us for this Community Transit Destination series.

(light upbeat music) Today, we're boarding the bus to the charming town of Mukilteo.

Nestled north of Seattle right between Edmonds and Everett, this cozy community is a real transportation hub.

You've got ferries to Whidbey Island, Sounder commuter train zipping to Seattle, and public transit available to nearby cities.

Enjoy popular local breweries, savor handmade chocolates, dine on popular Pacific Northwest cuisine, and explore the retail options in downtown Mukilteo.

Follow the promenade to the beachfront for even more.

The historic Mukilteo Lighthouse Park provides unforgettable views of Puget Sound.

And if you're a cycling enthusiast, hiker, or a nature lover looking for your next biking adventure, Mukilteo's Japanese Gulch is the place to be.

It's four miles of trails and mountain bike paths.

Take you through a lush, seaside wilderness with peekaboo views of the mountains crowning the Salish Sea.

You can catch a glimpse of creekside wildlife, like herons and deer.

(soft guitar music) Making the bus part of your bike journey is easy.

Bike racks are on all Community Transit buses, and they're a breeze to use.

You can even take your bike on the ferry to continue your cycling adventure on scenic Whidbey Island.

Along the pathway and inside the Mukilteo ferry terminal, signs provide passengers with more information about the tribes native to the area, including the Snohomish people who had a year-round village near the land spit and adjoining salt marsh that is now Mukilteo.

I love how the ferry terminal design was inspired by longhouses, which served as gathering places in tribal communities for ceremonies, celebrations, and storytelling.

The rich history and culture of the people who've lived on these lands for thousands of years is reflected in the artwork and carvings on display in the ferry terminal, complemented by the warmth of cedar plank construction and windows with sprawling views of Puget Sound.

Community Transit bus service takes you right to the ferry terminal.

Cyclists and walk-on passengers pay a lower fare than people driving cars aboard Washington State Ferries.

Board the Mukilteo Clinton Ferry and enjoy a scenic ride across Puget Sound.

You may even spot an orca whale from one of the three pods that live right here in Puget Sound.

Thanks for joining me as we explore the different ways to take advantage of public transportation here in our region.

And if you haven't taken a ride on community transit, now's the perfect time to give it a whirl.

To learn more, head on over to ctgo.org/ridenow.

Until next time, I'm Rick Steves.

Thanks for watching and keep on traveling.

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