The Seattle Traveler

One of the best things about Alki Beach in West Seattle is that although it is a popular tourist spot, it is even more popular as a place for locals to hang out.  So whether you’re visiting, or live here, it has something for everyone, and is a place you’ll want to check out.

In November 1851, Alki Beach was the landing site of Seattle’s first white settlers.  Chief Seattle greeted the settlers, and his tribe helped them build shelters to guard from what would become the notoriously cold and wet Seattle winter.

Alki was eventually turned into an amusement park, named Luna Park after its Coney Island namesake.  The park included several heated saltwater pools, a large carousel, Ferris wheel, rollercoaster and restaurant, and was a very popular meeting place.  A fire, unfortunately, destroyed it in 1931.

Today Alki is a two and a half mile strip of beach that runs from Alki Point to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay, with a wide path to accommodate bikes and pedestrians.

It is still a popular meeting spot.  It’s a great spot to walk or run any time of the year, and during the summer it also attracts rollerbladers, volleyball players, bicyclists, beachcombers, and sun enthusiasts.  The area enjoys minus tides, which means nice sandy beaches, and there are benches, picnic tables and public restrooms.

The views of the city are spectacular from the beach.  Depending on which way you turn,  you can see Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains or the Cascade Mountain Range.  You can watch the ferries shuttle back and forth between Seattle and Bremerton, and Seattle and Bainbridge Island.   And year round, regardless of the weather, you’ll see sailboats and sailboarders out on the water.  But don’t let the water enthusiasts fool you — the waters of Puget Sound are only in the 45-55 degree range.  Brrrrrrr!

Put Alki Beach on your must-see list for Seattle.

Photo credit:  Jon Rochetti

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