Let’s find the best beaches Seattle offers.
And if you love the beach? This article is for you!
You might even be asking yourself “Does Seattle have beaches?”
It is not something that the city is famous for.
Seattle is a coastal city with a variety of beaches.
There are several beaches in Seattle, some that rival the best beaches in California. They range from freshwater to saltwater and from shallow to deep.
The freshwater beaches are in Seward Park. These beaches are shallow and can only be used in the summer.
The saltwater beaches are in Puget Sound. They can be accessed by land or by water.
A day at the beach is the perfect way to spend your summer. Some of these even are nearby the Pacific Northwest trial.
- 15 Best Beaches in Seattle
- Discovery Park
- Alki Beach
- Myrtle Edwards Park
- Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park – Best Family Beaches Seattle Offers
- Jetty Island Park
- Hobuck Beach
- Half Moon Bay
- Rialto Beach
- Leadbetter Point State Park
- Denny Blaine/Howell Park – Hidden Seattle Beaches
- Matthews Beach Park
- Golden Gardens Park
- Seabrook
- Lincoln Park
- Green Lake Park
- Carkeek Park
- Other Seattle Beaches to Visit?
15 Best Beaches in Seattle
Discovery Park
Discovery Park and Lighthouse Loop Trail- is a two-hour hike through the woods and at the end, you reach the ocean and the lighthouse. The route is well marked and comfortable to walk. The path is mostly flat, but at some point, there are a reasonable amount of stairs on the South beach trail section. In the end, you have a Gorgeous view of the sea. Don’t forget to check out the visitor center, Near the parking lot.
Discovery Park is highly recommended.
It is an unquestionably stunning beach with a lighthouse. With magnificent views, and a nice place to watch the sunset. So if you are looking to see some water, other than at the Seattle Aquarium, then this is a great place to visit.
Alki Beach
The best beach in Seattle is Alki Beach. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches you will find and a great day trip from Vancouver, Washington.
It has a beautiful view of the Olympic Mountains. And the area is an incredible place to spend time with your family and friends.
There are several locations to rent bikes or scooters to explore the area.
This beach is very popular for volleyball games and there is usually a match going on during the summer.
One downside is that the beach at Alki Point has a lot of rocks. Making it hard sometimes to walk along the waterline. But there is still an abundance of room to lie out your towel or blanket and enjoy the sun!
Another downside is that parking can be difficult. But if you get there early enough, you will probably find a spot close by.
The beach area was once an amusement park with rides, arcades, and concessions. It eventually closed down in 1907, but the name Alki Beach Park remained attached to the area.
How to get to alki beach from downtown seattle
To get to Alki Beach from downtown Seattle, drive west on Alaskan Way and turn left on 53rd Avenue SW. Alki Beach will be on your right. You can also reach the Seattle Waterfront and Alki Avenue by bus.
Myrtle Edwards Park
If you are staying downtown Seattle and looking to escape the city. And find a little green area, then this is the place to come out too. You’re right on the water’s edge and you get some delightful views of the surrounding region and her across the bay.
Wonderful park and the walk next to the bay is lovely.
It is the place to go if you are a fitness junkie. Whether you’re walking, running, jogging, or biking, this park has it all for you. Jogging and cycling trails are separated from each other and well maintained!
This is another Seattle beach that is perfect for sunset.
From the picturesque waterfront shores to the majestic mountain view at the horizon, Myrtle Edwards Park has it all. And it is easy to see why it is one of the best beaches Seattle offers to travelers.
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park – Best Family Beaches Seattle Offers
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park is a Seattle beach in the city’s Renton suburb. The park is on the south shore of Lake Washington. A lake is almost as beautiful as Lake Louise in Canada. And offers a wide variety of activities, including swimming, fishing, windsurfing, and kayaking. The park also has a playground, picnic shelters, and a boat launch.
The Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park is one of the most popular beaches in Seattle. This park has a lot of things to offer, including restaurants, restrooms, and family picnic spots. The park is open from 8 am – 8 pm every day of the year and offers free parking on site.
There are also plenty of other activities that you can do at this beach, such as hiking trails and biking trails.
If you have kids with you, then there is a kid’s playground available right next to the water where they can play while you enjoy your time at the beach. There are also restrooms available if you need to use them during your visit here.
Overall. it is a lovely and well-kept waterfront park with boardwalks and marked pathways for walks
Jetty Island Park
Welcome to your vacation island. Sandy beaches, wildlife, warm water (for Washington), and on windy day’s entertainment such as kite boarding. This has been a family favorite for many years.
Great Sandy beach and relatively warmer water at high tide. Best place to swim around and a free ferry ride. In the summer, there is a foot ferry. But you can also paddle out in a kayak. It’s a stunning sand island. And only cost $3 per person by ferry.
Unless you kayak out or have your boat. To save some money, bring your food and drinks and appreciate your sunbathing.
The north end of the isle has some of the best-hidden beaches in Seattle.
What’s not to like?
Hobuck Beach
Hobuck Beach is a secluded beach in the Makah Indian Reservation. We know the beach for its rugged beauty, stunning views, and excellent fishing.
Madison Park Beach is a nice beach. It has beautiful views of Lake Washington, and there is plenty of wildlife to see.
The water is cold, but it’s clean. There are lifeguards on duty during the summer months, so you can feel safe swimming here.
The park itself is large, with lots of grassy places for picnics and a playground for kids. It gets busy on sunny days with people appreciating the lakefront views, but it’s never too crowded or noisy to enjoy yourself.
There are bathrooms available for running water in them, and they’re pretty clean too! You can bring your food or drinks into the park (there are no vendors selling food), so if you want something to eat while you’re there, bring some snacks with you.
Half Moon Bay
Both Seattle and Half-Moon Bay offer great beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and playing in the sand. Seattle’s Alki Beach is great for swimming and sunbathing, and Half-Moon Bay’s Pillar Point is great for surfing.
One of the most beautiful, unknown, and quiet Seattle Beaches! It’s a great place to stroll on the beach. And quietly listen to the waves. Peaceful during the day. You might see this place as just a small gravel parking lot sitting over the mouth of the Chehalis River. It meets the Westport’s Shores, where it dumps into the ocean shores in West Seattle.
There is a place you can park and enjoy the view.
There is also a short trail to the beach experience.
This is a great travel hack, as you won’t have to pay parking fees or have a Discovery Pass. One downside is this is a day beach only. There is no camping on Half-Moon Bay. Maybe check out some of the best glamping in Tennessee instead.. But it is a good way to spend a few minutes or hours at a quiet beach. And escape the bustle of Seattle.
There are also no restrooms at the secluded, small beach.
Rialto Beach
Rialto Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Olympic National Park, and maybe one of the best beaches in Washington. And its popularity is well earned. It has beautiful scenery of the Pacific Ocean, clear water, and wonderful tide pools. You need to go early in the morning, to get there before low tide to check out the cool tide pools. And wear water shoes. Or at least shoes with good traction.
The scenery is stunning, with wonderful views. It is an easy trek down to the beach. For easiest access, walk to the northernmost area. Any other way, it can be a little treacherous, because of fallen trees. This beach is littered with Driftwood. And sometimes it can be foggy, windy, chilly. This all might sound terrible, but, this beach is beautiful. And it is not only the beach. There is a coniferous forest that meets the dark sanding beach. Another huge perk is to see sea lions or seals in the breakers, too. Afterward, you can go to visit the cool Olympic sculpture park.
Rialto Beach is surrounded by beauty. And a great destination to explore.
Leadbetter Point State Park
Leadbetter Point State Park is a state park in Washington in the United States. It is on the Long Beach Peninsula in Pacific County, south of the town of Ocean Park.
The park is open year-round for camping, picnicking, fishing, and bird watching. A nature trail leads to the park’s namesake, Leadbetter Point. The park has many dune systems, including the Willapa Hills Dune system.
The trail starts at the parking lot and is easy walking until it gets closer to The Dunes. Here, it becomes more difficult as you walk through soft sand. There are rare benches along this part of the trail. So you can stop for a breather if needed. You can find nice footpaths from the parking lot to Willapa Bay.
Letting you take in the wildlife and do some bird watching. Continue to follow the path to the sea and explore the dunes, rest at the beach, and surf. Bring mosquito spray. Unless you will be eaten alive. The park stretches from the Pacific to Willapa Bay’s. And it is famed oyster beds.
It’s a short drive from Long Beach to Leadbetter Point State Park, but this beach park feels otherworldly.
A lot of Long Beach peninsula tip is reserved for snowy plover repair, but paths wind toward the beachfront. The beach has soft sand.
Denny Blaine/Howell Park – Hidden Seattle Beaches
Denny Blaine and Howell Park are two small, private parks on Lake Washington in Seattle, Washington.
If you are looking for a quiet beach, then head to Denny Blaine and Howell Park. Here you have the amazing clothing-optional beach on Lake Washington. This is a great hidden beach you’d never know was even there. Tiny and private. No clothes are required.
And it is mostly males visiting the beach. However, there is so much shame if keeping clothes I’ve seen nothing inappropriate for a public place.
One thing to note is that the trees block the sunset. So there isn’t much daylight for sunbathing in the evening and the temperature can get quite cool. Full LGBTQIA+ spectrum. This is secluded, and beautiful, with dazzling views and gorgeous water. But it is not great for night.
The beach felt friendly and inclusive. And the best beach naturalist in Seattle.
Matthews Beach Park
Matthews Beach Park seemed more easygoing than some other areas in Seattle. There are some simple paths, shrouded by Tall trees on a soft hill, that lead to remote picnic tables and a playground.
Most travelers come to the beach on the shoreline of Lake Washington. There are stunning views on the shoreline as well.
Matthews Park is a perfect place for a quiet, sunny evening. There is a whole variety of parks in Seattle that is unknown, unpopular, and almost invisible on the map.
One of these is Matthews Beach. And it is one. However, the park has a children’s playground, beach, bbq place, and plenty of trees to hide from the sun.
It is a good family beach and park. And few tourists. There are a few tourists coming here. Parking can be limited.
Golden Gardens Park
Great place for a stroll on the beach, but there is much more. And a fun little duck pond at the end of the beach. Enjoyed watching the children see the different waterfowl.
There’s something for everyone in Golden Gardens Park. From beach, volleyball, and grassy meadows. But there are also hammocks in the shade of trees. And a little-known viewpoint (meadow point) at the end of the park. Perfect for those wanting some quiet daydreaming.
Golden Gardens Park is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon with friends. Other things to do on the beach, besides watching the boats? You can layout in the sun or join in on a game of beach volleyball. Be aware that On the weekends parking can be tricky so just be prepared to walk to your spot.
There are a few spots that have bathrooms available. And also a couple of cafes that serve a little food, coffee, and other drinks.
Seabrook
What are the best beaches Seattle offers?
There are a lot of great beaches in Seattle. We have already talked about some of them, like Alki Beach, Golden Gardens Park, and Myrtle Edwards Park. But you can’t forget Seabrook!
Seabrook is a coastal town on Pacific Beach that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
The town and beach are around a three-hour drive from Seattle. But you can make a day of unwinding on the beach, seizing a few waves, digging for clams. Or just paddleboarding and kayaking.
Seabrook beaches have become famous. And the small community has become known as Washington’s Beach town.
Seabrook is in the Pacific Beach area of Washington State. It’s an especially popular destination for surfers in winter. They head to Point Grenville Beach to catch the enormous waves that roll in during the winter months. Though they aren’t as big as the waves in Northshore Hawaii.
The neighborhoods have several restaurants, attractions, and bars where visitors can grab some food and drinks before heading back out to the water or back home to Seattle. And is known for its friendly locals and beaches.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is a Gorgeous! And Checks off all boxes. We are looking for the best beaches in Seattle.
It has great scenery, a waterfront, and play areas for families. Plus, it is easy hiking, and the park is clean and accessible. There are also some picnic tables and a walk through the trees.
Green Lake Park
Green Lake has it and is easily one of the best Seattle beaches.
And Green Lake Park is a wonderful place to exercise, take in splendid views, and or just walk with your animal.
The trail is just over 2 miles. So you can get a proper workout in. While taking in the beauty. There is a range of routes for people of all hiking abilities. And the trails are flat enough for strollers and wheelchairs.
A few highlights are East Green Lake Beach, the cafe, beach, and some lookout points. Oh, did I mention that parking is free? There is also bus transportation to Green Lake. Overall, it is a good place to have a picnic lunch. And soak up one of Seattle’s most beloved beach spots.
Carkeek Park
Carkeek Park is amazing and has a gorgeous beach. But, just like the best things to do in the Big Sur. There are a lot of things to do besides the beach.. the park has some fantastic picnic areas and trails.
You can park at the bottom of the hill and walk up or even drive up to the top.
The area is dog friendly. But the beach isn’t. Because there’s a chance you’ll spot some marine life. During low tide and you’ll see starfish and crabs.
Other Seattle Beaches to Visit?
So the answer to “does Seattle have beaches” is a resounding yes! And there are even more! Here are more of the best Seattle Beaches to visit.
- Ruby Beach
- Lake Union
- Madison Beach
- Rainier Beach
- Richmond Beach
- Seward Park Beach
- Lake Sammamish State Park
- Magnuson Park
- Madrona Beach
If you’re looking for a Seattle beach vacation in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is the place to go. There are plenty of great beaches along Puget Sound. And you can’t go wrong visiting the beaches Seattle has for visitors.