Greenlake Seattle, image courtesy of Pixabay.com
Seattle, a city surrounded by three major bodies of water, has no lack of beach hangout spots. Life in Seattle is in bloom year round, and the beaches are a place to visit rain or shine. Whether walking along the shoreline's footpath in the winter or visiting for a chance to soak up the sun in the summer, here are some favorite beaches in Seattle.
East Green Lake Beach
Nearby Green Lake's business district is a small sandy beach and dock that welcomes visitors all year round. The beach is staffed by lifeguards during the summer months and is adjacent to a playground, tennis courts, play fields and basketball courts. Activity is robust year round. GreenLake is a popular spot to walk or run the 2.8 mile loop trail around the lake; in addition to, crew teams rowing the lake in all four seasons. There are other small beaches in Green Lake that are accessible around the lake, but the main sandy beach is the East Green Lake Beach. There is a beautiful boardwalk located next to the sandy beach, which is imaged above.
East Green Lake Beach
Nearby Green Lake's business district is a small sandy beach and dock that welcomes visitors all year round. The beach is staffed by lifeguards during the summer months and is adjacent to a playground, tennis courts, play fields and basketball courts. Activity is robust year round. GreenLake is a popular spot to walk or run the 2.8 mile loop trail around the lake; in addition to, crew teams rowing the lake in all four seasons. There are other small beaches in Green Lake that are accessible around the lake, but the main sandy beach is the East Green Lake Beach. There is a beautiful boardwalk located next to the sandy beach, which is imaged above.
Discovery Park Beach near the Light House
Discovery Park is 543 acres of wilderness situated in Magnolia Hill. Many come here to commune with nature and features some astounding viewpoints of the Puget Sound. Many follow the road, or inter-forest footpath down to the Discovery Park Beaches, and the West Point Light House Beach.
When the tide is in there is not much of a beach, but during normal times one can enjoy a beach mixed with sand, washed up tree logs and plenty of boulders. It is often a place to exercise and hangout, but the Sound is so cold, many do not swim....except for maybe the dogs.
Discovery Park is 543 acres of wilderness situated in Magnolia Hill. Many come here to commune with nature and features some astounding viewpoints of the Puget Sound. Many follow the road, or inter-forest footpath down to the Discovery Park Beaches, and the West Point Light House Beach.
When the tide is in there is not much of a beach, but during normal times one can enjoy a beach mixed with sand, washed up tree logs and plenty of boulders. It is often a place to exercise and hangout, but the Sound is so cold, many do not swim....except for maybe the dogs.
Golden Gardens Park
Located in the Ballard neighborhood, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Seattle. The rich and golden sand attracts countless locals everyday, especially during the summer months to watch the sun setting over the Olympic mountains. Volleyball players flock here during the day, and bonfire enthusiasts congregate here during the night. The waterside trail is a great way to exercise and enjoy the local cuisine with popular places like Ray's Boathouse located down the street. SUP rentals are accessible from surf shops located down the road. Swimming occurs but is rare because well, the Puget Sound is cold year round.
Located in the Ballard neighborhood, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Seattle. The rich and golden sand attracts countless locals everyday, especially during the summer months to watch the sun setting over the Olympic mountains. Volleyball players flock here during the day, and bonfire enthusiasts congregate here during the night. The waterside trail is a great way to exercise and enjoy the local cuisine with popular places like Ray's Boathouse located down the street. SUP rentals are accessible from surf shops located down the road. Swimming occurs but is rare because well, the Puget Sound is cold year round.
Myrtle Edwards Park +Elliot Bay Trail Beaches
Seattle's waterfront is known as the Myrtle Edwards Waterfront. The 3.4 mile Elliot Bay Trail meanders alongside the Puget Sound from Myrtle Edwards Park to the waterfront's business district. This waterfront trail features plenty of small and often unnamed sandy beaches where some go to relax or let their dog play with washed up sticks. I've come here often to escape the crowds since most people flock to Alki or the Golden Gardens.
Seattle's waterfront is known as the Myrtle Edwards Waterfront. The 3.4 mile Elliot Bay Trail meanders alongside the Puget Sound from Myrtle Edwards Park to the waterfront's business district. This waterfront trail features plenty of small and often unnamed sandy beaches where some go to relax or let their dog play with washed up sticks. I've come here often to escape the crowds since most people flock to Alki or the Golden Gardens.
Alki Beach
Located in West Seattle, Alki Beach is like the Huntington Beach of Seattle. Chocked full of volleyball tournaments and an active seaside business district, tons of people flock here year round. The view overlooks the Olympic Mountains and is another idyllic sunset spot. The park begins at Alki Point and extends 2.5 miles to Duwamish Head, the mouth of the Duwamish River. Over the last decade, I've seen this beach transform from a family-friendly park to more of a bro-ey party beach. Whatever vibe you choose, you can find it here.
Located in West Seattle, Alki Beach is like the Huntington Beach of Seattle. Chocked full of volleyball tournaments and an active seaside business district, tons of people flock here year round. The view overlooks the Olympic Mountains and is another idyllic sunset spot. The park begins at Alki Point and extends 2.5 miles to Duwamish Head, the mouth of the Duwamish River. Over the last decade, I've seen this beach transform from a family-friendly park to more of a bro-ey party beach. Whatever vibe you choose, you can find it here.
Lincoln Park Beaches
​Lincoln Park is nearby Alki Beach, and is West Seattle's multi-functional park. The waterfront trail is located on the Puget Sound just north of the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal and extends over four miles around the bend. Between the footpath and the water resides the small endless rocky beach; however, walk north toward the Driftwood Sculpture Park for bigger and more secluded sections of beach. Many also visit Lowman Beach Park, which is just north of Lincoln Park. This is a small beachside park with a tennis court.
​Lincoln Park is nearby Alki Beach, and is West Seattle's multi-functional park. The waterfront trail is located on the Puget Sound just north of the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal and extends over four miles around the bend. Between the footpath and the water resides the small endless rocky beach; however, walk north toward the Driftwood Sculpture Park for bigger and more secluded sections of beach. Many also visit Lowman Beach Park, which is just north of Lincoln Park. This is a small beachside park with a tennis court.
South Lake Union Beach
South Lake Union has two points of waterfront access. Some choose to jump in from the boardwalk's dock side and use the ladder to get back on deck, where others visit the very small and rocky beach across the water from the lake. This is one of my favorite spots because the water is warmer than most places during the summer months. Many people come here to launch their SUP boards and kayaks.
South Lake Union has two points of waterfront access. Some choose to jump in from the boardwalk's dock side and use the ladder to get back on deck, where others visit the very small and rocky beach across the water from the lake. This is one of my favorite spots because the water is warmer than most places during the summer months. Many people come here to launch their SUP boards and kayaks.
Madrona Beach Park
Located on the shorelines of Lake Washington, Madrona is a popular summer beach park. Many come here during Seafair weekend to watch the airshow and the Blue Angels. Lifeguards are staffed during the summer months to watch over the beach and the floating dive boards located offshore. Many walk or bike the popular Lake Washington Boulevard, and this is just another hotspot to visit on Lake Washington, especially for families since there is a playground and floating rafts are welcome offshore.
Located on the shorelines of Lake Washington, Madrona is a popular summer beach park. Many come here during Seafair weekend to watch the airshow and the Blue Angels. Lifeguards are staffed during the summer months to watch over the beach and the floating dive boards located offshore. Many walk or bike the popular Lake Washington Boulevard, and this is just another hotspot to visit on Lake Washington, especially for families since there is a playground and floating rafts are welcome offshore.
Madison Beach Park
Madison Beach Park is another Lake Washington beach that is just north of Madrona. This is a major LGBT beach hangout during the summer months and some even attend nude beach yoga. This beach is popular with locals since many residents never leave Madison Beach. Adjacent to the beach are tennis courts and a children's playground.
Madison Beach Park is another Lake Washington beach that is just north of Madrona. This is a major LGBT beach hangout during the summer months and some even attend nude beach yoga. This beach is popular with locals since many residents never leave Madison Beach. Adjacent to the beach are tennis courts and a children's playground.
Seward Park Beach
This Lake Washington Park is a 300-acre peninsula that features 2.4 mile bike path and countless inner-forest hiking trails. From playgrounds to the Audubon center, this is a multi-functional park welcoming all types of life. Nearby the main entryway is a small sandy beach that is staffed with lifeguards during the summer months. The water here is calmer than most Lake Washington beaches because it is slightly more hidden than most beaches that lay directly on the waterside, disrupted by boat traffic. Seward Park also features a boat launch.
​What's your favorite beach in Seattle?
​Let's Connect!
This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to 10 Seattle Beaches Worth Visiting - Rain or Shine!
This Lake Washington Park is a 300-acre peninsula that features 2.4 mile bike path and countless inner-forest hiking trails. From playgrounds to the Audubon center, this is a multi-functional park welcoming all types of life. Nearby the main entryway is a small sandy beach that is staffed with lifeguards during the summer months. The water here is calmer than most Lake Washington beaches because it is slightly more hidden than most beaches that lay directly on the waterside, disrupted by boat traffic. Seward Park also features a boat launch.
​What's your favorite beach in Seattle?
​Let's Connect!
This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to 10 Seattle Beaches Worth Visiting - Rain or Shine!
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