Owen Beach is located within Point Defiance Park, a 760-acre urban oasis in Tacoma. The beach recently underwent a major renovation to improve accessibility and address climate change impacts. Situated along the Tacoma Narrows, it offers views of Vashon Island, the Olympic Mountains, and marine traffic. The beach is accessible via the Five Mile Drive […]
Semiahmoo Spit is a narrow, mile-long sandy strip extending into Semiahmoo Bay near the Canadian border. The beach offers stunning views of Mount Baker, the San Juan Islands, and the Canadian Coastal Mountains. Historically significant as the site of the Alaska Packers Association Cannery, now preserved as a museum documenting the area’s fishing industry. The […]
Damon Point is a sandy spit that extends into Grays Harbor, forming a unique peninsula with beaches on all sides. The area is designated as a marine protected area and wildlife refuge, particularly important for snowy plovers, a threatened shorebird species. The point offers four miles of walkable beach around its perimeter. Once the site […]
Salt Creek Recreation Area features Tongue Point Marine Sanctuary, one of the richest tide pool areas in Washington State. The beach and surrounding 196-acre county park occupy a former World War II military installation, Camp Hayden, with bunkers and gun emplacements still visible. The area offers stunning views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca […]
Pelican State Beach holds the distinction of being California’s northernmost state beach, located just south of the Oregon border. This remote, undeveloped beach offers a wild, pristine coastline experience with minimal facilities and often few visitors. The beach features dramatic views of offshore sea stacks and the Oregon coast stretching northward. Birds including brown pelicans, […]
Rialto Beach features dramatic offshore islands, massive driftwood, polished stones, and crashing waves. It’s famous for the spectacular Hole-in-the-Wall formation, a natural arch accessible by a 1.5-mile hike during low tide. The beach is part of Olympic National Park’s coastal strip and offers primitive camping opportunities. Wildlife viewing includes bald eagles, seals, and during migration […]
Located in the Quileute Indian Reservation, First Beach at La Push is a crescent-shaped shore featuring dramatic sea stacks and driftwood. It’s the most accessible of the three La Push beaches and offers beautiful sunset views. The beach gained fame as a filming location for the Twilight movie series. Situated at the mouth of the […]
Shi Shi Beach is a remote, pristine coastline in Olympic National Park, accessible only by a 2-mile hike through rainforest. The beach is renowned for its Point of Arches, a series of dramatic sea stacks and natural arches that make it a photographer’s paradise. The relative difficulty of access keeps crowds minimal, offering a true […]
Dungeness Spit is the longest natural sand spit in the United States, extending 5.5 miles into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This unique landform is protected as part of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, home to over 250 bird species and diverse marine wildlife. Hikers can walk the length of the spit to reach […]
Third Beach is the most remote of the three La Push beaches, requiring a 1.2-mile hike through coastal forest. This isolation rewards visitors with a tranquil beach experience and fewer crowds. The beach features striking sea stacks, a waterfall that cascades onto the shore, and rich tide pools. The scenic hike passes through Sitka spruce […]