Explore Seattle Southside’s Seattle Summer Beach Guide

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Summers in Seattle are spectacular!

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

Seattle might not be the first place you think about when you think about 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 right 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

Head down to Des Moines Beach Park for some gorgeous views of Puget Sound, a long stretch of beach, and a grassy park for kids to play. You’ll have a great time soaking up the sun, walking down the pier, and you can even get a good workout running or biking down the Des Moines Creek Trail. The Des Moines Marina is currently undergoing some changes, with construction taking place at the pier, but the end result will be beautiful.

You’ll also find a few different events taking place at and around Des Moines Beach Park in the summer. The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market takes place every Saturday throughout the summer, the Waterland Festival is in late July and the Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Festival is right at the end of August. If you find yourself visiting when there isn’t an event, however, you can always unwind at the Quarterdeck, a kid (and pet!) friendly establishment that offers beer, wine, and coffee.

Redondo Beach

A little further to the south, you’ll find Redondo Beach. Not to be confused with its California counterpart, Washington’s Redondo Beach is a perfect place to enjoy the waters of the Puget Sound and learn more about its wildlife. Check out the aquarium at the Marine Science & Technology Center (MaST) which is free to visit every Saturday. The beautiful Redondo Beach Boardwalk offers a comfortable stroll or bike ride through this quaint seaside town, plus a fishing pier and a boat launch.

Seahurst Park

Seahurst Park, located conveniently near to the airport, offers beautiful views of Puget Sound and plenty of walking trails. Driving through the beautiful, lush forest on the way down to Seahurst, you might think you’re in Kauai. That’s one of the benefits of all the rainfall in this part of the world – lots of lush, green forest to enjoy! There’s plenty of free parking and room to roam along the beach and parallel trails. Don’t miss this one!

Saltwater State Park

Saltwater State Park is a lovely spot for a walk along the shore, grilling with friends, or if you love an adventure, try scuba diving to explore the artificial reef at the park which serves as a marine refuge! Because of this carefully created habitat combined with the fact that fishing is not allowed at this park, you’ll see an abundance of marine wildlife. Kayak rentals and refreshments are available at the snack shack on site, too.

DASH POINT STATE PARK

Dash Point State Park is a great beach for you more active beachgoers out there looking for an activity rather than just some lounging time in the sand. We may not have surfing along the Puget Sound, but we do have skimboarding! At low tide, the conditions at are ideal for this sport which is a cross between skateboarding and surfing. Some skimboarders even bring ramps and rails to perform tricks on!

ANGLE LAKE PARK

Beaches don’t necessarily have to have saltwater to be a good time! Nestled into a corner of SeaTac, Angle Lake Park is a great spot for a fun day with the whole family. There are barbecues to rent, plenty of grass and sand to lounge at, and what makes this park a highlight for children is the elaborate spray park and playground! The lake is also stocked with trout and bass, if you’re a fan of fishing during your day at the beach.

DOWNTOWN SEATTLE BEACHES

ALKI BEACH

Alki Beach is a popular spot with both locals and tourists, so you’ll see big crowds here on summer days. Alki is the site where European settlers first established themselves in Seattle back in the mid-19th century, calling their settlement “New York Alki” – which is part of why there is a model of the Statue of Liberty there! The beach is huge and great for playing catch with a football or baseball, lounging out in the sun, and taking a dip in the water. There are plenty of great restaurants and local shops along the beach, but fair warning: finding parking can be tricky.

NORTH SEATTLE BEACHES

GOLDEN GARDENS PARK

Golden Gardens Park is arguably the best sandy beach in North Seattle. The park and beach are expansive and there’s 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. Come early enough and you can lay claim to a firepit before the sun sets, though these coveted spots often get taken early. There’s a good reason why – a bonfire on the beach with s’mores is a great way to end a summer’s day.

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