Coming into summer

It’s that magical time of year when the sun seems reluctant to go to bed and all-too-eager to rise, when picnics and patios hover on the horizon. Here are some of our favorite ways to ease into summertime.

Take a hike

Hit the trail this summer and enjoy all the Pacific Northwest has to offer. While you’re picking up your favorite hiking foods at PCC, browse our books — you’ll find a variety of outdoor guides to suit your skill level or interest.

Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula and Day Hiking Central Cascades — These books offer 125 trails each that can be completed in one day. Nearby camping options are included.

Backpacking Washington: Overnight and Multi-Day Routes

Choose from 70 backpacking trips. Plus get info on the best campsites and more.

Seattle Stairway Walks: An Up-and-Down Guide to City Neighborhoods

Explore Seattle’s vertical side with more than 650 publicly accessible staircases.

Bicycling the Pacific Coast: A Complete Route Guide, Canada to Mexico

This book guides you turn by turn along the length of the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route, all 1,987.3 miles.

Best Hikes with Dogs: Western Washington

Discover 85 of the best dog-friendly and dog-fun trails in the Olympics and Cascades.

Plant some beauty

You already enjoy them in your glass and in your brew; now, enjoy the simple beauty of wine grapes and hops vines in your own garden!

For wine grapes, choose from 1-gallon pots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel.

Several varieties of hops are available in 1-gallon containers complete with a trellis for climbing. Both hail from Cascade Cuts in Bellingham, Wash.

Sip on rosé

Once synonymous with the sweet, cheap Kool-Aid for adults marketed as “blush” wine, the word rosé is enjoying a renaissance. Cool pink wines are hot as people discover the classic, dry rosé styles that Mediterranean regions have enjoyed for ages.

From sleek to spicy to racy in style, and offering flavors that range from bright berry or watermelon notes to lively citrus flavors, dry rosé can offer plenty of character and complexity. They’re just the ticket when neither white nor red will quite do — and perfect companions to just about any sort of al fresco fare you might dream up.

Party with popsicles

There’s nothing better than an icy treat on a warm summer day, and while you’ll find plenty in our freezer case, Popsicles are as easy as can be to make at home. Try making healthy pops featuring the best of summer fruits (or even vegetables!) and add just as much sweetener as you like.

Creamy fudgsicles can bring out the kid in all of us, while vermouth or other wines make delicious pops for adults. Your imagination is the limit for fun, bright flavors that make the most of the season. Check out our recipes »

Short on time? Pick up some of our favorites at your local PCC. Try Julie’s Organic sorbet bars in Blackberry or Mandarin Orange, new bars from Coconut Bliss in Strawberry Love and Caffé Latte, and Smooze Fruit Ice in Pineapple & Coconut and Mango & Coconut.

Make your own

Outdoor movie night

Rent a projector and hang a sheet in the backyard for movie night (or, prop up your laptop or tablet and kick back on the deck). Here are three ideas for easy, breezy nibbles.

Snack attack

Build a salty and sweet combo with Sunridge’s Organic Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Almonds (find them in our bulk section), PCC Deli Party Mix, and Uncle Woody’s Truffle Salt Popcorn. To drink? Find tips and concoct your own spritzer »

Pizza and beer night

Vegans and omnivores alike rave about our Vegan Pesto Pizza. Cut into small squares for easy snacking and serve with your favorite local beer (we like Schooner EXACT’s King Street Brown for the grown-ups and Virgil’s Root Beer for the kids). For an extra indulgent treat, top your root beer with a scoop of Snoqualmie Danish Vanilla Bean Ice Cream or Coconut Bliss Vanilla Island.

Wine + cheese = happiness

Serve creamy Cowgirl Creamery Organic Mt Tam, tangy Rogue Creamery Oregonzola blue, and nutty Manchego (aged 9 to 12 months) with olives from our bulk olive bar and your favorite crackers. Pop open a bottle of Château Maylandie “Le Cabanon” Rouge, sit back and enjoy the show.