Discover Seattle Southside’s Seattle Summer Beach Guide

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It’s one of the Pacific Northwest’s best-kept secrets: our summers are incredible. Not too hot, not too cold, lots of sun and plenty of cool, green shade make for a perfectly relaxing summer.

Seattle may not be the first place you think of when you think of beaches, but the best beaches near seattle along Puget Sound can be a great place to catch some rays, take a dip and relax in the summer sun. When you start your summer day in Seattle Southside, there are tons of great beaches nearby. Here are some of our favorites.

Best beaches near Seattle

DES MOINES BEACH PARK • REDONDO BEACH • SEAHURST PARK • SALTWATER STATE PARK • DASH POINT STATE PARK • ANGLE LAKE PARK • ALKI BEACH • GOLDEN GARDENS PARK

DES MOINES BEACH PARK

Go downstairs Des Moines Beach Park for some beautiful views of Puget Sound, a long stretch of beach, and a grassy area for kids to play. You will have a great time soaking up the sun, walking along the pier and you can even get a good workout by running or cycling along the Des Moines Creek Trail. The The Des Moines Marina is currently undergoing some changes, with construction on the pier, but the end result will be beautiful.

The Des Moines Waterfront Farmer’s Market is a great place to find local produce.

A number of different events also take place in and around Des Moines Beach Park during the summer. The Des Moines farmers market on the water takes place every Saturday all summer long, the Waterland festival is the end of July and the Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Festival is exactly at the end of August. However, if you visit when there is no event, you can always relax in the Aft decka kid (and pet!) friendly establishment offering beer, wine and coffee.

Redondo Beach

A little further south you will find Redondo Beach. Not to be confused with its California counterpart, Redondo Beach is a great place to enjoy the waters of the Puget Sound and learn about nature. Check out the aquarium on the Maritime Science & Technology Center (MaST) which can be visited for free every Saturday. The beautiful Redondo Beach Boardwalk offers a comfortable walk or bike ride through this scenic seaside town, plus a fishing pier and boat launch.

Seahurst Park

Seahurst Parkconveniently located near the airport, offering beautiful views of Puget Sound and many hiking trails. Driving through the beautiful, lush forest on the way to Seahurst, you might think you are on Kauai. That’s one of the benefits of all that rainfall in this part of the world – lots of lush, green forest to enjoy! There is plenty of free parking and space to wander along the beach and parallel paths. Don’t miss this one!

Saltwater State Park

Saltwater State Park is a lovely place for a coastal walk, grilling out with friends, or if you’re up for adventure, try scuba diving to explore the park’s artificial reef that serves as a seaside retreat! This carefully created habitat, combined with the fact that fishing is not allowed in this park, means you will see an abundance of marine life. Kayak rentals and drinks are available at the snack bark also on site.

DASH POINT STATE PARK

Dashpoint State Park is a great beach for the more active beachgoers who are looking for an activity rather than just lazing in the sand. We may not be able to surf along the Puget Sound, but we can skimboard! At low tide the conditions are ideal for this sport, which is a cross between skateboarding and surfing. Some skimboarders even bring along ramps and rails to perform tricks on!

HOEKMEERPARK

Beaches don’t necessarily have to have salt water to have a good time! Nestled in a corner of SeaTac, Corner Lake Park is a great place for a fun day with the whole family. There are barbecues available to rent, plenty of grass and sand to lounge on, and what makes this park a highlight for kids is the extensive spray park and playground! The lake is also stocked with trout and bass, if you are a fan of fishing during your day at the beach.

BEACHES IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE

ALKI BEACH

Alki Beach is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, so on summer days you’ll find big crowds here. Alki is where European settlers first settled in Seattle in the mid-1800s and named their settlement “New York Alki” – which is one of the reasons why a model of the Statue of Liberty stands there! The beach is huge and ideal for playing football or baseball, lazing in the sun and taking a dip in the water. There are plenty of good restaurants and local shops along the beach, but a warning: finding parking can be tricky.

NORTH SEATTLE BEACHES

GOLDEN GARDEN PARK

Golden Garden Park is perhaps the best sandy beach in North Seattle. The park and beach are extensive and there is plenty to see and do on a sunny summer day. Bring your friends, a cooler full of food and drinks and roll out the beach blankets. Arrive early enough and you can claim a fire pit before the sun sets, although these coveted spots often get occupied early. There’s a good reason for that: a campfire on the beach with s’mores is a great way to end a summer day.

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