Five Favorite Beach Walks in and Around Seattle

During the pandemic, walking was deemed “essential” for our mental and physical well-being which we already kmew. Good news is that there are plenty of great walks in Seattle.

The in-City Olmsted Parks are a treasure which Tom and I get to regularly enjoy from our Montlake home.  However, as a Beach Naturalist walking for miles along Puget Sound (the southern portion of the Salish Sea), exploring intertidal sea life and finding peace in our expansive water and mountain views is also “essential” to me.

As our Stay Home, Stay Healthy order eases, spring brings low, low daytime tides, and we wait for the mountain snow to melt, it is the perfect opportunity for a beach walk (and exploration) close to home.

The nearshore, where the landed world meets the water world, is crucial habitat to our planet’s well-being. Much sea life can be gently explored here from seaweeds to our favorite invertebrates (sea stars, crab, clams, snails and anemones), forage fish and shorebirds.

Without further ado, here is a list of our favorite beach walks in and around Seattle. They are listed from north to south:

1.       Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge - Dungeness Spit - 10 miles out and back

Dungeness Spit Lighthouse, Sequim, WA

The longest natural spit in the US juts northeast off the Olympic Peninsula into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Two and a half hours north of Seattle, via the scenic Edmonds Ferry route, this is the furthest away of our favorite beach walks, but well worth the trip! After parking in the large lot and paying the small entrance fee, follow the well-traveled forested path down to the spit.

The seemingly endless, Strait of Juan de Fuca, will be to your left as you walk down the narrow spit toward the historic lighthouse. Watch for waterfowl, shorebirds and seabirds. Silvery driftwood lines the middle of the narrow spit obstructing Dungeness Bay which is closed to visitors. We find the long walk to be peaceful once past the entrance. Low tide is not a must, for this walk, but it does give you more room to safely explore.

Once at the 1857 historic lighthouse it is fun to talk with the docents, tour the lighthouse and imagine early life way out on the spit – open daily 9am-5pm. Enjoy the public picnic tables and restrooms before heading back the same way you came.

2.       Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, Whidbey Island – 5.5-mile loop

There is not much better than a walk that includes colorful agricultural land, a historic homestead, scenic bluff and a lagoon along with a beach walk and expansive Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain views. This magical spot is two hours north of Seattle via the Mukilteo Ferry. (Ebey’s Landing photo is the feature for this post.)

Take Cemetery Road and begin walking west from the grassy parking lot. Do not miss the lovely agricultural views off to your left nor Ebey’s homestead on your right as you walk toward the bluff. Take a moment to enjoy the impressive coastal view before turning right, north, up a short, steep trail to the top of the bluff. While walking along the steep bluff you cannot help but look down to lagoon below while cherishing Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, out to the west, on a clear day. This steep slope is awash in wildflowers mid-June!

Giant Pacific Fiery Chiton, Ebey’s Landing, Whidbey Island, WA

In about a mile you will follow well maintained switchbacks down to the lagoon and beach. Turn left. No surprise, the beach is sandier and an easier walk at low tide. Our last trip we saw a giant pacific fiery chiton, the largest of the chitons! You can walk along the beach the entire stretch or cross the driftwood and follow the path along the lagoon for a change of scenery.  

You will see your next intersection, another parking lot, picnic area and bathroom, down the beach to the south. From here follow the short steep path up to the field you admired on your way out to the bluff. Follow the path north about a half mile, savoring the water and mountain views one last time. At the major junction where you initially went up to the bluff, turn right and head back to your car after a spectacular loop walk!

3.       Richmond Beach Saltwater Park to Carkeek Park – 4-mile one way only

This beach walk can only be done on a low, low tide! And, you can only go one way before the tide comes in so you must shuttle a car or utilize Uber, but it is fun. Richmond Beach, in Shoreline, is about 20 minutes north of Seattle. Sea life (clams, anemones, mollusks) is abundant among the rocks at low tide but do not doddle too long - you must beat the tide!

BNSF Railway, Carkeek Park, Seattle, WA

As you head south, the rocky beach turns to sand and is an easy walk. Walk around the healthy eel grass beds, Puget Sound’s nursery, so you do not crush sea life or slip. On your left you cannot help but notice the BNFS railway, the main north south line in and out of Seattle, which has armored a lot of the precious coastline in Puget Sound.

You will round two points, before approaching the final bay where we got somewhat wet with the incoming tide! At Carkeek Park, just as at Richmond Beach, you must cross the railroad on a pedestrian bridge to get to and from the parking lots. Carkeek Park has lovely forested walking trails in addition to its fabulous beach.

The walk can be extended by starting in Edmonds. In addition, an out and back can be done from Golden Gardens to Carkeek Park.

4.       Elliott Bay Marina to Discovery Park in Magnolia – 7-mile loop

Mt Rainer from Discovery Park Beach, Seattle, WA

This is an all-time favorite that combines a beach walk showcasing views of downtown, Mt Rainer, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains with a walk through Discovery Park and along Magnolia Boulevard’s stately homes and beautiful gardens.

Begin by parking at the west end of Elliott Bay Marina or at the bottom of 32nd Ave W and head north on the beach toward Discovery Park. This walk can NOT be done out/back because of the tides. Begin your walk about an hour before low tide on a low, low tide day.

A steep bluff with homes will be on your right while Puget Sound and the mountain views abound to your left. The going is sandy once past the slippery boulders near the marina. This is where I first saw a Lewis’s Moon Snail – keep a lookout for their egg collars.

Lewis’s Moonsnail, Richmond Beach, Shoreline, WA

It is about three miles to Discovery Park. After reaching the West Point Lighthouse which you will see upon rounding the first point, walk up and through wooded Discovery Park while continuing to take in the spectacular views. Exit the park through the south entrance in about a mile and a half. A block up is Magnolia Blvd West. Turn right. Walk one and a half miles on Magnolia Blvd West, while admiring the beautiful homes, gardens and westerly views, and then turn right on the north side of the Howe Street bridge which will take you down steep stairs to 32nd Avenue W. Walk south down to the beach and your car.

We love this walk in either direction, and thank our friend, Beall, for the introduction to this and #5.

5.       West Seattle – 4-mile loop

This is a fantastic in city beach low tide walk which may be less desirable or less crowded, depending on your location, now that the West Seattle Bridge is closed. Begin an hour before low tide.

Fauntlery Ferry, West Seattle, WA

Take Fauntleroy Way south, .3 miles past the turnoff to the ferry, park and enter the sandy beach via the SW Brace Point Drive street end. Turn left and head south. Houses, some mega mansions, and some original cabins line the beach on your left. On your right, Vashon and Blake Islands occupy Puget Sound .

At low tide this is a fabulous sandy beach environment to explore! Sea life, including enormous pacific geoducks and large burrowing red anemones, abound. But, do not miss your exit at the little Arroyo Place SW dead end community beach!

You will now be in neighborhoods the rest of the walk. Walk along Arroyo Beach Place SW to SW Arroyo Drive and head up the steep, steep hill. Turn left at the top on Marine View Drive SW where you can catch your breath and soak in the fantastic island views. Turn right on California SW and follow it one mile to the steps. At the bottom of the steps take SW Brace Point Drive back to your starting point.  

If you go:

Make sure to plan your walk, especially the low tide walks, with a current tide chart!

Have fun identifying invertebrates and seaweed via a fellow naturalist’s blog.

Wear footwear that can get wet but that won’t give you blisters.

Take along raingear, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water and perhaps a little food.

Do not forget your fully charged phone or camera for scenic as well as close up shots!

For more walks in Seattle - Seattle’s Olmsted Parks and Boulevards - A Local’s Tour of the Top Ten and Lesser-known Lakeside walks (or runs) in and Around Seattle - Five Favorites

You might also like Five Coastal Walks You’ll Love Between Manzanita and Nehalem, OR

Or check out The Beach - Washaway Beach, WA to Manzanita, OR for an additional Pacific beach fix