Explore Alki Beach in Seattle

Seattle’s closest beach is a Pacific Northwestern riff on the popular beaches of Southern California. Along this two-mile stretch of coastline, you’ll find numerous volleyball courts, ample tidepooling opportunities, and a variety of restaurants, bars, and cafes perfect for a visit at any time of day.

Outdoor Activities

Alki Beach is an ideal spot on a sunny day in Seattle. Families flock to the beach during low tide to explore the small tide pools that emerge as the water in Puget Sound recedes. While doing so, they often share the beach with intrepid seagulls and crows seeking a few mussels or crabs among the rocky formations.

Running parallel to the beach, cyclists, runners, skateboarders, and rollerbladers can take advantage of a flat, well-maintained path and sidewalk that stretches roughly 2.5 miles. During pleasant weather, it’s common to see locals sunbathing in beach chairs and on towels, while others soak up the sun from kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for rent. Moreover, several beach volleyball nets set up for public use and grills and fire pits are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ample Food and Drink

While Alki Beach stretches from Duwamish Head to the Alki Point Lighthouse, the best restaurants, bars, and cafes are located primarily along the stretch of beach designated as Alki Beach Park. This area features a variety of cuisines to choose from, as well as options for meals throughout the day.

Start your morning with a visit to Top Pot Doughnuts for an official Seattle Seahawks doughnut and an Ovaltine latte before you explore the area. Ampersand Café is another casual all-day spot renowned for its fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. There is also a Starbucks nearby for those seeking an alternative local coffee chain.

For lunch, options are equally casual. Blue Moon Burgers, a fast-food burger chain in a converted auto garage, is great for a quick bite before renting a bicycle to ride along the beach path. Duke’s Chowder House, near the beach, offers warming chowder alongside scenic water views, while Spud Fish & Chips boasts a walk-up counter and claims to be Seattle’s original fast-food restaurant.

As the day winds down, consider dining at one of the waterfront restaurants. Cactus offers their popular Seattle Mexican cuisine on Alki Beach, with windows that open to let in fresh air on beautiful days. Phoenecia is an intimate, Mediterranean-inspired tapas and wine spot that makes it easy to forget you’re just a few miles from Seattle. Lastly, West Seattle Brewing Company continues Seattle’s famous craft beer tradition, pairing well with their pizzas, wraps, and salads; they also offer morning yoga sessions on the patio during warm months.

Historic Sights

Alki Beach was the original landing point for settlers who founded Seattle, hence there are several captivating historical locations along the beach for history and culture enthusiasts. The Alki Point Lighthouse is a fully functioning Coast Guard lighthouse that offers free tours to the public on weekend afternoons during the summer.

Further east along the beach, a large monument commemorates the first settlers’ landing in Seattle. Additional plaques honor the First Nations peoples of the region, the wives of settlers, and other significant groups in Seattle’s history.

A six-foot tall Statue of Liberty stands roughly halfway along Alki Beach Park. Rededicated in 2007, the statue serves as a community meeting point, symbolizing Seattle’s ongoing dedication to freedom, liberty, and openness as a city.

Getting to Alki Beach from Seattle

There are two convenient options to reach Alki Beach from downtown Seattle. With car access, simply drive across the West Seattle Bridge, taking the Harbor Avenue exit to glide along the waterfront road that runs parallel to the beach. Harbor Avenue offers numerous parking opportunities close to the beach and other amenities.

However, locals often prefer to avoid traffic and parking stress by catching the West Seattle Water Taxi from its dock near the Seattle Ferry Terminal in downtown. A brief 15-minute boat ride will deposit you on the eastern end of Alki Beach, allowing for a flat and manageable walk to access restaurants and beach facilities.