Seattle Beaches
Water and beautiful beaches surround Seattle. It is framed by Puget Sound and Lake Washington allowing for a lot of waterfront but not necessarily a lot of spacious shores. They may not be the hot, sandy beaches of southern California but they are definitely part of the beauty and allure of the city and Washington state. Northwest “beaches” are classified by rocky shores, crisp water, strong winds, and salt-filled air. They are best for beautiful hikes, fantastic views, sandy dunes, and relaxing walks. They are never crowded in the Southern California sense of the word where you might be worried about even finding a patch of sand to lay your towel. It is easy to find a little piece of beach to set up a picnic and you can let your dog run free without worrying about him bothering anyone else. Even in the summer months, Northwest beaches are definitely populated but never overly so.
Alki Beach: This is a great Seattle Beach. Depending on where you are on the beach you can choose to look at the Seattle Skyline or you can look the other way and view the mountains and Puget Sound. It is the best place for fun when the sun is shining and is easily accessed by ferry from downtown Seattle. The beach stretches about 2.5 miles and makes for a great walk any time of the year. It’s sandy beach with volleyball nets, restaurants on the beach, and an ice cream shop, in SEATTLE. You can have bonfires on the beach at night and the scene is really fun for people watching. Also, if you are visiting in the summer you just may be able to catch a summer concert. Even though the water is too cold for most people, it’s the views and the beauty that make this beach spectacular.
Ocean Shores: About 2 1/2 hours from Seattle, Ocean Shores makes for a strange and beautiful day trip, especially during summer and fall. The beach is littered with shells and is extraordinarily clean for Washington’s most popular beach. There is tons of fun things to do when there, including riding horses on the beach, shopping at the fun local shops and walking along the 6 miles of serene beach. The sunsets are absolutely unmatchable making this beach a great place for a romantic date. There are loads of trails weaving in and out of the dunes and sea grass. The landscape is so breathtaking that driving to the Washington coast is a must see.
Seattle Waterfront: The waterfront in downtown Seattle may not be your average beach but it definitely offers lots of attractions, landmarks and beautiful views. Here you can fit shopping, sightseeing, and walking along the shore all in one. Along the waterfront there are a lot of fantastic restaurants to choose from, as well as all the shopping you could ever want. From here you can also catch a ferry to some of Puget Sound’s most beautiful islands. Whether it is a walk along a pier, dining at a beautiful restaurant, or simply admiring the spectacular views, Seattle Waterfront is a beach—Northwest style.