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Alki Beach Park
Categories: Active Life Parks Active Life Beaches Parks, Beaches
1702 Alki Ave SWSeattle, WA 98127
Neighborhood: West Seattle
(206) 684-4075
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
126 reviews for Alki Beach Park
125 reviews in English
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Review from Leana L.
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful beach! Calm waters, gorgeous views of the Seattle skyline, and beach volleyball courts! We weren't planning on having a beach day during our visit, even though the weather warranted for it, but we did enjoy a leisurely walk down the beach.
Next time if I'm in the area, the weather permits, and I have time to spare, I'm definitely hitting up this beach! -
Review from Matthew B.
Seattle, WA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wether you're a resident of Seattle or a visiting tourist, Alki beach is a must stop location. We love walking and avoid the parking struggles common at this park by parking a couple miles east. The view for the entire walk is relaxing, and it makes you feel much less guilty for getting a starbucks once you get to the beach!
If you come during the summer expect to see a wide variety of people from the ghetto dudes cruising the street with pumped up music to folks to have rented roller skates or a four person peddle vehicle.
In the summer there are frequently shirtless guys playing volleyball. (I'm sure there are girls too... but I haven't noticed them *shrug*.
Another great feature of this park is the open fire pits. You have to arrive early to claim one... but once you have one you'll be able to keep it all night long. Be sure to bring plenty of dry firewood! -
Review from Nina H.
4/29/2012 2 photos
Gorgeous views... and one of the better beaches you'll find in the Seattle area. This and Golden Gardens are the top two choices for actual sandy beaches.
There's a lot to do at Alki Beach though, it's almost like you're in a different city except for the views of the Seattle skyline. The waterfront condos and houses are simply to die for. I'll never be able to afford living in any of those so all I can do is drive over the West Seattle bridge and gawk at the amazingly perfect condos.
I love the variety of shops and restaurants along the street - you can find coffee, pizza, ice cream, swimsuit shops, Thai food, pho, etc... pretty diverse restaurants! And I never have problem looking for street or neighborhood parking in the area.
I also love seeing all the dogs, people and activities at the beach. Last time I went, I saw a mini photo shoot with a black lab who was all dressed up like a little boy scout, people walking on tightropes, half-naked six-pack packing men and women playing volleyball, kids building sandcastles, families barbecuing... it's like the ideal day out on the beach. I love seeing all that going on at once!
I can't wait for summer... -
Review from Yvette A.
5/14/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Absolutely amazing views here! As with any beach during warm weather, it does get quite crowded. I prefer the late evening or very early in the morning. If you're here at night, you'll get to experience the mini bonfires.
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Review from Teresa M.
Seattle, WA
5/13/2012
I can't rate it badly since I chose to live here. But it is insane on the first few nice days and at the end of the summer. It will be close to 80 today and I am not sure if I want to weave through all the people to walk the dog. If you want to play volleyball, good luck. One of my good friends set up a net around 6 am this morning and it was one of the last ones available. I also like how the cops have been out a lot this year BUT I almost walked back inside when 3 cop cars drove by and I saw 2 walking down the street. I felt like they may be a robbery in progress or something! The cops are VERY nice.
There is a lot to do (various bikes, volleyball, running, sand, BBQ, fire pits, etc). If you want to hang out with a bunch of people, Alki is for you! On the off days it is AMAZING! Maybe I am just getting old. :) If you are a teenager.... you will love it. Some nights there are 200 or so teens on the strip and then the random creepy guy standing by himself.
PS- The speed limit is 30 and 35. If you want to cruise and look at the view, please pull over! Some of us use Alki Ave as a way to get to work. We know better on the sunny days! But it gets frustrating when someone drives 15 mph when it is 40 degrees and raining. Please don't flip me off when I pass you! -
Review from April F.
When I think of Seattle...I don't think of the silly ole space needle...I think of Alki Beach! I LOVE this place. It reminds me of San Diego in a way. It's a nice little strip of land where you can stroll, run, ride or drive and hear the waves crashing. There are a variety of restaurants and shops that you can go into, from fast low quality to high quality dinning. This is a place you MUST visit while in Seattle and if you look out to the water you will not only see the water taxis, but you will see sea lions...which is my favorite part!!! And THIS is the reason it beats any Cali beach in my book!!!
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Review from Christina B.
Las Vegas, NV
3/24/2012
This is such an awesome park! There's virtually nothing you can't do here....walk, run, ride bikes, rollerblade, skateboard, walk your dog....you get the idea.
The views of the downtown Seattle skyline, Bainbridge island, the Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains are pretty much as good as you can get. It's also a great place in the summer, as they have bbq pits, volleyball courts, although it can get a little crowded on the weekends. And you can even see seals and sea lions if you keep an eye out for them!
I miss Seattle. -
Review from Jen C.
Scottsdale, AZ
3/10/2012 3 photos
We were back in WA for a little weekend getaway.
- planned to hit some breweries that we missed when we lived here in 2008.
-Indulge at the Issaquah REI garage sale
-Enjoy the cool weather ( it's been 80 and sunny at home for weeks!)
-Decide if we want to move here again and look at houses
When we lived in WA in 2008, we stayed briefly in West Seattle.
I really liked Alki Beach Park. We would take walks at night mostly.
You can run, walk, rollerblade, bike.... The view is amazing.
It can get crowded and parking can be a little tough, but be patient, someone will leave!!!! Summer obviously is crazy.
We went on a Sunday afternoon Feb 26, 2012.
Scored a parking spot! As soon as I crossed the street , I was running like a mad woman. I left J in the dust- (or sand )
I was just super excited to be there again! (also, I live in a desert, water excites me)
The weather was cool and cloudy, but occasionally there were the coveted "sunbreaks".
We walked up and down, took some pictures, sat on some driftwood, collected some shells. I would absolutely come here everyday if I lived here.
West Seattle, why are your houses so expensive? :) -
Review from Matt K.
Alki Beach is such a great place to visit for a run, to grab a bite, or just to unwind and soak in the view.
One of the few places I visited with ample free parking along the street, with easy access to any part of the park. Long distance running/biking seems to be the main attraction. You'll also find nice shots for photos and ample people watching. I'd definitely recommend a stop here if you're in the area. -
Review from Jasmin R.
Seattle, WA
4/7/2012
I can't give it a 5 yet because I haven't checked out all the beaches close to us. We aren't transplant, but we had never been to West Seattle before. I love living here and couldn't be happier. We loved Alki, even in the drizzling rain. We went there after lunch at the Pegasus, and if you don't mind the rain (if you do why are you here?) then it's the perfect time to walk, enjoy the view while not having to deal with a crowd. Whether you are from here or visiting form other state give it a try, you won't regret it.
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Review from William T.
Tempe, AZ
1/27/2012
This is apparently The Beach in Seattle. Its a sweet little spot with a view of Puget Sound, Bainbridge Island and the northern part of Seattle. There's a great beach scene. Hot Dog vendors, bike baths, sand, sun and restaurants.
I would love to stand-up paddle board here as the surf is not severe and the water looked beautiful. I heard it is also a great spot to see seals and/or sea lions. Although there were none there when we were, in midsummer they were probably further north.
Great beach, seems like a nice place to live! -
Review from Michael M.
Seattle, WA
10/5/2011 1 photo
This is a beautiful place to hang out.
Whether you want to come walk the beach, ride a bike, rollerblade, play volleyball, Alki Beach is your spot. There's plenty of space for everyone thanks to the separated bike line and the beach walking area.
The only thing, however, is the parking. Parking is basically street parking so on those sunny 70 degree Seattle days, you may have to park a ways away. It can get packed here especially in the summer.
Please remember that we all live in Seattle, not Hawaii, so there are no white sand beaches with sand that is soft to the touch. The sand here can be a little coarse so I wouldn't recommend burying yourself. Still good enough to play beach volleyball though!
P.S. Bring your dog! Great place to walk and meet other canine friends -
Review from Joshua B.
1/26/2012
Awesome place to run, walk, bike ride, roller blade or take the dog for a walk. You will take in the breath taking views of the Olympic mountains and Seattle on your way down to the beach. Alki beach gets really busy in the summer time and all the parking gets filled up really fast, so I would advise anyone to get here really early. If you want to go for a nice cruise this is the place to do it with the amazing view and the restaurants near the beach. On the beach they have BBQ pits, volleyball nets and there always seems to be something fun going on during the weekends. It doesn't matter if you have lived here for years or it's your first time the epic views will blow your mind.
Listed in: Parks, Parks and more Parks.
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Review from Jana S.
7/4/2011
Ineffably sublime.. its gets you right there.. piercing the core of your soul.
Sunset viewing is simply breathtaking...quieter side of the city.. time to hear one's own thoughts...and appreciate the here/now.
As only philosophical Flannery O'Connor can put it,
"I can, with one eye squinted, take it all as a blessing." -
Review from Clover A.
5/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a view, what a view, what a might good view
(MIGHTY, MIGHTY)
Tucked here in West Seattle, this is as close to a real beach as we get, with a wide path along the ocean for rollerblading (please don't) biking or other wheeled motion as well as walking.
The sand is fine, the smell of the water wafts out to grab you and return you to the beaches of your childhood.
Grab a plastic bucket and shovel and meet me there! -
Review from Chris T.
Seattle, WA
5/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Things that Alki Beach is Good For:
1. taking in a gorgeous panoramic view of the Seattle skyline
2. collecting shore crabs (scientific name: Hemigrapsus oregonensis) for physiology lab projects
3. running
Things that Alki Beach is NOT Good For:
-going to the beach
-taking a long leisurely stroll without having to navigate around people and their potentially growly dogs on a relatively narrow path
-sprawling in the grass and relaxing since there are so many people around (some of which will fly a frisbee right into your area or feed huge flock of hungry birds near you, making you cower in fear of the dreaded ninja poop-from-the-sky.
I had fantastic times here as a kid and while I don't remember specific memories, the way my parents describe our time spent here make it a treasured childhood spot. Now that I'm grown up, I think of Alki as a Catch-22: go on an overcast day and it'll be crappy, windy, and cold. Go on a sunny day and encounter far too many people that annoy me. I'd best not come too often as a grown-up so as not to tarnish those memories. Gorgeous view year round, though. -
Review from Ryan N.
Seattle, WA
7/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The closest thing to a beach in Seattle and that's not saying much. But you gotta make the most of it I guess!!
AWESOME during the sunny Seattle summer days.
Great for strolling, taking pictures, people watching, dog-walking, jogging, etc.
Separate lane for those strolling on wheels -- roller skating/blading, biking, skateboarding, long boarding. biking.
Cali-beach type vibe feel to it during the summer - BBQ, sunbathing, volleyball, football, harleys revvng, shiny drop-tops, live music, street entertainers, etc.
Good amount of tasty eateries and street vendors nearby.
Parking is a pain. Expect quite a bit of traffic traffic arriving and leaving the area especially during the summer. Don't worry though, the awesome view of the sound and city will get you through it in no time!
QUICKTIP:
Get a slurpee from 7-11 and head on over to Wheel Fun Rentals and rent one a surrey! -
Review from Bobby N.
5/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Alki beach isn't cut out to be 5 stars. There is dog poop every 10 feet of grass, rare sightings of trash bins, and no dog bags. Walking our pug here was chaotic! There were many undisciplined dogs going gnarles barkley all over the place. Alki is one of the shittiest places for dog owners (pun intended).
I can say the same thing about the crowd. You get the interesting people who ride cadillacs on steroids, stupid people who feed pigeons, and douchebags that wear underarmor with their pitballs yelling obscenities into his cell phone about his incompetent gf. Well, dude, what do you expect when you're one yourself.
On a brighter note, Alki does have some pros which is what saved it from a 2-star review. It's good for flying kites, volleyball, running, bike riding, food, a romantic view and the beach front properties! It felt like walking through a gallery looking at the craziest ways people deck out their front yards. -
Review from WhereMonkey T.
Long Beach, CA
Monkey's favorite place to run. Alki Ave's separate bike & foot paths, the worn trail in the grass AND during low tide... another apparent trail in the sand to run, tops Monkey's running list.
Several volleyball courts, firepits on the sand, bike rentals and assorted food & beverages across the street make this place THE place to enjoy, night or day. -
Review from Cyndi C.
5/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Alki Beach is a Seattle institution. I always bring my out of town friends here for a visit. Where else do you get great city views on one far end and Olympic Mountain and sunset views on the other side?
Another important thing to 'like' here is there is alot of trail space; Space for walkers, runners, moms & strollers, bicycles and skaters. Plenty of room for all to share! This beach has a family vibe, lots of play space for kids, volley ball courts, picnic tables and fire rings.
The only down fall is on some days the cars, the cars that GO BOOM.. ugh, as people drive back and forth on this stretch. However, with gas prices getting so high, perhaps that won't be as much of a problem and they will park and get out. ;)
Once you are settled at the beach you won't notice the cars behind you. I also am happy to say there are grocery stores, coffee shops and restaurants that line this beach drive so you will never be hungry or miss a picnic opp.
Get out and enjoy the summer! -
Review from Nichelle H.
Kirkland, WA
8/20/2011
Whenever we head out to Alki Beach (Winter or Summer), we always find ourselves going on and on about how glad we are to have moved to Seattle. I am not a typical beach goer, so perhaps I view this place a little differently. I don't go to just lay on the beach and "catch some rays" or swim (though I do wade in a bit). We go for the awesome views, to hang out on the stairs or the pebbled beach (depending on the tide) and let our son fill his little bucket with stones or watch him stomp around in the water.
Even in the Winter, we find ourselves wishing we lived in this area. Call me crazy, but in the winter it feels so far out there & wild & desolate and I love that. The view is even more amazing than in the Summer.
Even in the Summer, I love the "hard core local" vibe of Alki Beach. This isn't a place that I think most tourists know about or venture near. Yes, it is crowded, parking is very difficult (in the summer) and the traffic is maddening - things that I usually have below average tolerance for. But Alki Beach is just such a cool place. Call me crazy. After all, I lived a mile and a half from the beach in Santa Monica for two years and fled, screaming, to Seattle. So Alki Beach is right up my alley. -
Review from Judi B.
Seattle, WA
5/24/2011 6 photos
I love taking our bicycles, hopping on the water taxi and heading to Alki Beach Park on the other side of Elliot Bay.
This is our Seattle Beach, and I never have a bad time here. It isn't Miami Beach, so don't look at it that way. It's more of a local neighborhood beach vibe, and a perfect quick get away. Fly kites, eat fish and chips, and drink in the amazing view of Downtown Seattle from this side of the bay!
Plus, I put in a day of work and still managed to hit the beach! -
Review from Hideki K.
6/30/2011
Alki Beach is a real beach, right in Seattle!
You would forget that you're in Seattle when you are there because it reminds you of a non-Seattle atmosphere. I highly recommend going for a nice relaxing day. -
Review from Dennis D.
6/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Kinda a cool beach. Except, it's not much of a beach.
But if you are more interested in a place to walk, with plenty of parking and cool little divey places to check out, this beach is a great target. -
Review from Melody P.
After late lunch, I was on my way to Greenlake with my dogs. However, I changed my mind while driving south on Aurora HWY 99. I decided to drive down Alki Beach.
It was about sunset time. We didn't get much sun. But, it doesn't change the fact of how great Alki Beach is :-) There are a lot of coffee shops and restaurants by the beach.
My friends called me crazy because it was freezing outside! But, I didn't care. My dogs and I walked around for 20 mins, and yes, it was really cold. We got in the car, drove along the beach, and took off.Listed in: Hot spots for friends, Places for me and my dogs aka…
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Review from Dr. M.
Seattle, WA
4/9/2011
I am in love with Alki. When the hubby and I moved to eastern WA, this was the first place I missed. where can you get a beautiful city-scape with a lovely salt water breeze (on good, summer days), *almost* rock-free sand to frolic on with plenty of eye candy with an ok assortment of shops and restaurants???
Ok, ok, ok, BESIDES Cali, where in Washington can you get that at??? -
Review from Jamie A.
9/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Alki is amazing!! The beach is fun to hang out at and there are lots of restaurants to enjoy! You can walk, ride, skate, drive, kayak, etc. And the sunsets from this location are stunning! This is definitely a place I like to visit on a frequent basis!!
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Review from Kathie s.
3/26/2011 1 photo
Alki Beach Park is one of my favorite places to go. So much to do at the park, BBQ if you want to on the BBQ pits, walk along the beach, play volleyball, rollerblade, the list goes on and on.
Pack your beach bags early in the day and plan to stay the day taking in everything around you.
If you are visiting from out of town, put this park on your top 10 to go see. -
Review from Tarah M.
9/26/2010 2 Check-ins Here
The scent of ocean alone makes me want to just go crazy, sell my house, and develop my own tent city on the sandy beaches of Alki Beach. I know, that's a little extreme and dramatic, but I just love this beach with a passion. So much so, that I would be willing to wait 30+ min in traffic just to cross the West Seattle bridge and another 60+ min to magically find parking as well as scope the best location to pop a squat.
But once you succeed in locating each of these, the views are breathtaking..and I'm just not talking about picturesque scenery of mile-wide ocean and all of its cohabitating army of boats, ferries, and cruise ships. That's right, folks, I'm talking about prime real estate for people watching. The best places to sit down and watch passers-by mosey up and down the beach are anywhere on the Alki Beach or even further south toward Salty's on Alki where you can lounge on grass under a tree while enjoying the breeze.
My love and I have found what we think is the perfect spot and although I won't share, rest assured that there are plenty of places to find "the perfect spot." Rollerbladers, bicyclists, walkers, joggers, dog-walkers, families, etc all walk this beach mostly amicably and I even receive smiles from folks that I pass and make eye-contact to say hello. In a city where simple gestures of acknowledgment are a rare form today, I always happily revisit places where I witness such friendly interactions among strangers.
I recommend grabbing some Spuds Fish & Chips, sitting on the beach and watching the volleyball games (on summer days), frisbee matches, people walking by or just the simple waves.
BTW, added bonus are the spots where you can take the most beautiful panoramic views of downtown Seattle. -
Review from Hooria T.
1/7/2011
I love Alki Beach! I've been here countless times over the years for New Years Eve, Fourth of July, and those beautiful summer Seattle days. Alki is hands down one of the best views you can get of the Seattle skyline, not to mention a great, quick, get away from the city!
Pack and picnic and come for a date or if you're daring, bring your swimsuit and jump in the crisp water. There's volleyball, soccer, rollerbladers, runners, and dogs galore. It's best for an all day trip imho.
Parking of course can be a pain on holidays, sunny days, and throughout the summer but it's definitely worth it. If you forgot to pack your picnic no worries, there's good restaurants throughout the beach front. Don't forget to bring your camera! -
Review from Riss J.
1/26/2009 ROTD 8/14/2009
Jesus, how have I not reviewed this yet? My bookmark list is getting a little to out of date.sigh.
This is one of the places that when people ask the question what is "seattle", that I think of. It has a very 'non traditional' feel to it when compared to other beaches, and for what it offers in actual amenitites compared to many...you often wonder why it's so popular. It's a wonder to me how Seattle's need to 'hold on' to things and resist change and not notice when things really need to move up and be relevant (Seattle Center anyone? Fun Forest? hello?) fails so dramatically in other aspects of city life while being so successful in other areas (Here, Golden Gardens, etc)
The fact that it is a little random, a little sparse, left to it's own and has a few things you don't always have available at a beach is the reason to love it.
I visit Alki on a fairly random basis throughout the year. The views of the city are great, but I love that you can see views of so much *other* than the city here too. The sunsets here are some of the most spectacular around.
I've spent countless hours sitting alone on this beach writing. The rambling nature of the coastline and access is so easy that even on a crowded sunny day, secret little spots to be alone are not hard to find.
People watching is always easy and enjoyable. Alki is one of the few remaning easy access places that draws Sooo many different people together in one place.
For long rambling walks with dear friends it's hard to beat Alki as well. Between the sidewalks and shops, paved trail and long stretches of sandy beach you have so many options to enjoy and be together.
Volleyball, roller skating, skateboarding, beach fires, bike riding, walks, sand castles...it really is a little of whatever you might need or want. -
Review from Megan B.
Seattle, WA
3/12/2008
Came here for the first time yesterday and enjoyed the walk, the ocean breeze, and the spring sunshine. It made me feel both comforted, for it reminds me of where I grew up, and totally blown away by how amazing it is to live here in Seattle.
Thanks Mother Nature, for creating such an awesome beach and view for us to enjoy. Thanks people of Seattle, for working on a beautiful Tuesday, so that I could enjoy this day in relative peace!Listed in: Park Life!
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Review from M C.
San Francisco, CA
Other than having a beach out here to sit at, there is nothing out here. There is a nice view of Seattle, but how long can one just sit there and look at that?
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Review from Lindi C.
Portland, OR
8/6/2007
I love how diverse Alki beach is. It's great to just go and people watch.
From the rollerblading dicks to the bikini clad chicks to the boombox totin thugs to the football throwing studs.....this place seems to attract just about everyone.
Parking is a bitch....unless you're smart and ride a scooter like me! Ha.
If you're lucky enough to snag a fire pit, they are great for making hot dogs and s'mores. Which is cheaper and most likely better than any of the other food you can get over there. -
Review from Lorrie M.
1/21/2009
I think the view from the park is fantastic, but in terms of park amenities I didn't see too much to be considered great. I think there are some public facilities such as park benches / picnic tables and bathrooms, but they're far and spread out throughout the long and narrow park area.
There is a great view of Seattle itself from the park and I think that contributes to its fantasticness.
I do have to agree though, this is definitely not a beach like I'm used to, but the locals definitely do use it to its fullest during a hot summer, cloudless day :) -
Review from Me H.
Seattle, WA
1/8/2007
I live on Alki and love Alki Beach Park, if I didn't I wouldn't love living there so much.
**Update**
My nephew brought their roller blades with them and spent some time roller blading down Alki, they loved it and thought it was so cool that I had a flat smooth place to roller blade if I liked. If I wasn't such a klutz I'd give it a try instead I'll leave the blading up to them to enjoy. -
Review from Lee A.
Seattle, WA
4/6/2009
Dogs, dogs, dogs. Beautiful dogs! Glorious dogs! Sun! Blue skies! Peoples! Oh, and some sand.
Minus a star because dogs can't run on the beach. Folks, it's just a little poo. It won't hurt you. ;) -
Review from Alanna M.
9/1/2011 5 Check-ins Here
This is one of the few most popular beaches in the Seattle area. Spectacular view of downtown Seattle, nearby restaurants along the strip, beach volleyball players during the warmer months and everyone of all ages hanging out in one location. Great spot for bond fires and great for runners, rollerbladers, romantic walks, cyclists and tourists!
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Review from Michelle H.
Portland, OR
10/5/2009
Sometimes I want to lay on the beach and look at the city.
People watching is just an added bonus. -
Review from Robby C.
7/7/2010
Usually, we frequented the park in the evening for a short run or a long walk, but during the day it seems to get hectic especially if one were attempting to find parking somewhere within the sea of vehicles on a summer afternoon. The last time we were at the park, we were able to rent a tandem bike, but today was simply one of those days to soak in the sun and watch a few friendly matches of volleyball. In addition, there are is at least one shelter that visitors can rent ahead of time equipped with a barbeque and ample seating. Aside from the numerous recreational activities in which one may partake, there are also a number of smaller shops that line Alki Avenue near the beach area.
Advice to visitors, if it is a particularly sunny day, you may find it beneficial to shuttle from the downtown water front to the park by boat taxi then taking a free shuttle down to the actual beaches. A simple alternative for those whom do not intend to transport large loads to the park or do not want to find themselves in a vehicular battle for parking spot rights.
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