Lincoln Park in West Seattle combines a mile of saltwater beach along Puget Sound with 135 acres of forest trails and recreational facilities. The beach includes both rocky and sandy sections, with a paved path running its length. The park features Colman Pool, a heated saltwater pool with views of Puget Sound (open summers). Located […]
Birch Bay is a shallow, crescent-shaped bay that warms up significantly during summer months, making it one of the most swimmable beaches in Washington. The bay’s extreme tidal exchanges can expose up to a half-mile of tidelands during low tide, creating exceptional opportunities for collecting shellfish and exploring tide pools. The 194-acre Birch Bay State […]
Waikiki Beach at Cape Disappointment (no relation to Hawaii’s famous beach) is a small, protected cove nestled beneath towering cliffs. It offers dramatic views of Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and the massive waves that crash against the jetty during storms. The beach got its unusual name from Hawaiian Pacific Fur Company employees who were stationed nearby […]
Golden Gardens Park is a popular urban beach in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, offering stunning views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The park features sandy beaches, wetlands, hiking trails, and fishing piers. It’s one of the few Seattle parks with designated fire pits, making evening beach bonfires a popular activity (permits required). The protected […]
Dash Point State Park offers 3,301 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound. The beach is famous for skimboarding, with its flat sandy terrain and gentle slope perfect for this sport. The park encompasses 461 acres with forested hiking and biking trails in addition to beach activities. At low tide, the beach extends far out, […]
Kopachuck Beach is part of a 109-acre marine state park along Henderson Bay in Puget Sound. The beach offers dramatic views of Cutts Island (also known as Deadman’s Island), a small, tree-topped island accessible by kayak at low tide. The shoreline features a mix of sand and small pebbles, with a forested backdrop that provides […]
San Onofre State Beach encompasses 3,000 acres of coastal land across several distinct areas. Trestles Beach at the northern end is a world-famous surfing location featuring multiple breaks from the challenging Lower Trestles to Cottons and Church. “San O” or Old Man’s at the southern end offers gentler waves popular with longboarders and maintains a […]
Alki Beach is a long, sandy beach that offers spectacular views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Located in West Seattle, it’s popular among locals for its 2.5-mile pedestrian path, beach volleyball courts, and numerous waterfront restaurants. The beach is historically significant as the landing point of Seattle’s first white settlers in 1851. On […]
Monterey State Beach stretches along the southern shoreline of Monterey Bay, extending from Monterey to Seaside with spectacular views of the entire bay. The beach’s protected location within the bay creates gentler conditions than many California beaches, making it popular for swimming and water sports. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail runs adjacent to sections […]
Muir Beach is a small, crescent-shaped cove nestled between hillsides within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Recent extensive habitat restoration has transformed the area, with a new parking lot, accessible boardwalk, and restored wetland and dune areas that have improved both visitor experience and ecological health. The beach is the endpoint of several hiking […]