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Alki Beach Park
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: West Seattle
1702 Alki Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98127
(206) 684-4075
1702 Alki Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98127
(206) 684-4075
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
74 reviews for Alki Beach Park
Sometimes I want to lay on the beach and look at the city.
People watching is just an added bonus.
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Have been going to Alki Beach for the 20 years I have lived in Washington, and it has never let me down even on a weekend when it is packed
Great spot to get Photos of the Space Needle and the Seattle Skyline, go early in the morning and get wonderful Sunrise shots or at night with the city all lit up, its also a great location to just walk with friends or a loved one and just enjoy the sun
go during the middle of the week if you can, we went today and it was nice not too many people, then we headed over to Spuds for some Fish & Chips, what a great way to end the evening with good food and even better company
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I moved here temporarily after a fire in my house in the CD. We were lucky enough to get an apartment directly across the street from the water with a nice deck and infinite view. We were only supposed to be here for 3 months while the house was fixed, but after a month we decided to sell the house and move here.
There's nothing quite like waking up to see tugboats chugging out to sea, or to sit on the deck on a hot night feeling the cool breeze and hearing the waves lapping the shore.
As much as I loved the CD, the mellow, beachtown pace of Alki is really soothing.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/7/2007
Are you in Seattle or Southern California? If you blindfolded someone on a warm day and dropped them… Read more »
when we went to West Seattle, we stopped into this location for a soup (others had coffee). Mellow, clean and reminded me a lot of Alameda. Anyway, soup was good and the pastries looked good through the display window.
I have to say, I am really disappointed that I've been frequenting Seattle (area) for a year and only just discovered Alki beach (and surrounding neighborhood)! It brings me back to my southern California days, sans fake tans and fake boobs. But don't worry, there is a ridiculously expensive car every now and again.
This seems like a family and dog- friendly beach, which I love. When it is high tide,there is a wall that holds up the water, making it almost like a swimming pool that is actually the lake! You can bet I will be stopping by next time Seattle heats up. If I'm going to get fried to a crisp, I'd rather do it by the ocean in a bikini than in the city, but maybe that's just me.
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It's a beautiful location to take a stroll, BBQ and make some burgers and smores, or bike and rollarblade at. It's even a nice place to park your butt on a bench for a few hours and people-watch. Bring some snacks for maximum enjoyment!
There's a great view of the water and Seattle downtown. There's always a ton of people, especially on sunny days and weekends, so parking can be horrendous. Expect to spend at least 15-20 minutes searching. I'd recommend taking the first spot you see. It won't get much better than that.
Lots of little dives and restaurants along the boardwalk. Fun way to spend an afternoon with friends. Nice place to bonfire at night or take a romantic walk on the beach. My friend even got proposed here last week :) Congrats!
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Another of Seattle's beautiful beaches.
Walk it. Bike it. Sit in the sand. Watch people go by.
Many festivals happen here through the course of the year!
Watch the tide come and go. Peace.
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You have to know you may yelp too much or talk about yelping.. when you are walking down a beach with a new friend and they stop to say - "Are you going to Yelp this too?"
FINE... so what if I do!
Here is what I loved;
Just enough sand to sink your toes.
Just enough grass to have a picnic.
Good crowd to steal a football from for a minute or two...
And have I mentioned the view?
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Very cool place. The fiance and I ventured out here for a short day trip, and we were not disappointed. The view is lovely, the weather was perfect, and we stopped in an area that wasn't as packed full of people, so it was a nice little romatic time for us. We'll definitely be going back to visit the shops along the boardwalk, but most likely during late fall when there are sure to be less people around and about....=) we like our alone time....
L.
Currently living on Alki Avenue, set along the Alki boardwalk, and haven't found anything intolerable. Lovely place to live and enjoy. The people are welcoming and super nice. Boutiques and delicious restaurants set along the boardwalk as well. It's great to look out and watch the transport ships, boats, kayaks, etc. passing through the Puget Sound. I take my kids out on evenings to walk along the water, throw rocks into the water, or just sit on a dock and peer at the water. Every morning I jog up and down the boardwalk, and it's a very refreshing feeling: having to breathe in the water and feel the breeze. It's very soothing to hear the waves splash against the boardwalk at night. Life on Alki is very awesome. It's very family friendly and enjoyable for children to be out in the sand and digest the beach life. Began living on Alki on July 18, 2009.
If you want to feel like you've escaped to Santa Cruz, CA for the day - but still want a reminder that the Emerald City is just a mile across the water - ALKI beach is an awesome spot to check out. There are BBQ pits, walking paths, rollerblading/biking paths, and the beach and general area is dog friendly. If I have friends in town visiting from out of state, I always make sure to take them to ALKI on a sunny summer day.
It's not always easy to find parking but the vibe of this part of the city is so unique and so cute that it's worth it to drive out there and hunt down a spot just to get a photo of the spectacular Seattle skyline view.
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Gorgeous. I always loved the view from Alki Beach and the nice walk.
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. ;)
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Too many people there all the time. Not to mention the smell from Red Tide they get some times.
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Go here at night and build a fire. Bring some wine and watch the boats and the moon. Do it.
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.
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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 :)
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Ok, let's set the scene. I'm an east coaster with a fixed opinion on beaches. This one doesn't match it, but for Seattle . . . I'll give it a 4. The beach is sand-like and it's got tons of branches/twigs/etc. on it. This makes for strange sitting. But, the water is clean looking and the attitude is nice and laid back.
Parking is tricky, but eventually you can figure it out. It gets worse on weekends/nice weather days.
Also, note to visitors: please don't strip down to your boxer briefs and go in the water right in front of innocent beach sitters. We don't want to see the before or after.
West Seattle for me could best be described by C+C Music Factory's hit song "Things That Make You Go Hmm"
Despite its odd flavor, I like Alki. It is a nice spot to kill time during the summer and has actual sand on beach vs. rocks. So you can lay down, get your tan on or play beach volleyball. The mix of people on a summer day can be quite an odd one. Perhaps similar to a 1993 episode of MTV's The Grind? But, who cares, the weather is good and you just got a tasty smoothie from the little shop down the sidewalk.
BTW, this is less park review and more beach review, hence the sand!
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Plenty of nice views of Magnolia, the Seattle skyline and Elliot Bay. My son loves to throw rocks in the Sound at low tide and a close second for him is dog watching on the walkways. Alki can get pretty obnoxious when it's in it's peak in Spring and Summer. We always have preferred visiting Alki in Autumn, early Spring or even on a not so dreary Winter day. If you go to Alki and don't try Sunfish http://www.yelp.com/bi... you're definitely missing out!
Very nice beach. Great view of Seattle.
I LOVE ALKI !that's all i can say!
I would love to come here everyday,especially summer time lol
I love Alki Beach, i love coming alone and just sitting peacefully near the tide, or with a date, even a group of friends chillin out. i love it. clean, friendly people, and peaceful.
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Charming, if a little crowded. A reliable source tells me that Sunday night is Russian night. Great location with so many little restaurants and cafes right across the street.
I wanted to explore West Seattle. To start off, I decided to take a stroll on Alki Beach sidewalk with my dog. I believe its about 2 1/2 miles walk one way. We were lucky that is was a sunny day but it was WINDY!! I'm glad I brought my gloves! The view of downtown with the mountains in the background was gorgeous!!! I walked from the Seacrest park to the end of the beach and back!!
There is a definitely a beach town feel with the stores/shops by the beach area. I can envision that parking being a pain during the summer and the beach crowded with beach goers. I thought the beach was sorta small.
There are plenty of birds flying around that did get my dog's attention at times. I was glad to see garbage cans along the walk but I would bring your own poop bag. I didn't notice any poop bag stands. I did see one water fountain that also had a dog water dish- but at the time, the water was turned off (probably for the winter.) Dogs are not allowed on the beach- (which seems to be the theme in Seattle) :-(
It definitely was a nice stroll with the dog. I would take a stroll here year round!
As a Californian... this IS NOT A BEACH. It is a rocky area with water. =P
Hands down this area is the best for city gazing and playing tourist. Some of our best Seattle pictures are from here...
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This is one of the nicest beaches in Seattle. Mainly cause it has some sand! Oh yeah, and amazing views of Seattle. Don't go here if you're expecting some calm though. The beach is pretty shallow and long, and with the huge strip of business on Beach Drive you're not going to get any solitude. A plus is that you can have bonfires (in the designated fire pits). I've also had fun renting rollerblades and going around the beach with a friend. Fun activity for a sunny day!
When people call this place a beach, I kinda smile and nod and say Ehh? It's more rocks and seaweed than waves and sand. It's a nice escape during the fall/winter (bundle up!), but definitely over populated in the summer. Good luck finding parking between June to August!
Don't get me wrong, I've spent many lazy afternoons here with my friends and trying to start bonfires before the popos come shut us down, but Alki BEACH? I've had real beaches so I'll just stick with calling it Alki.
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What do you do when you are surprised with a nice bright sunny day in Seattle during January-well you pretend it is summer and hit the beach. It was gorgeous on Saturday so packed up the kids and met up with a friend to stroll Alki. Kids on their bikes while the adults pushed the strollers was just what mother nature ordered. Even though it was nice, you get fooled into believing we have slipped into the Seattle Spring Thaw. How soon you forget that no matter what the weather that the waterfront is always cold as the wind blows in over the deep blue beach. Lots of people were out strolling with the same idea with rosy cheeks peeking out over the collars of their zipped up coats. I suggest always bringing a windbreaker here just in case no matter the season. It seems like everyone was appreciative over the winter pardon that people were smiling and nodding as others walked by. We stopped for fish and chips to warm up and then continued our walk back to the car. While I love this beach and it has been a long time favorite of mine a caution must accompany this review
****DO NOT park under a street light. The birds must have been running some sort of drill exercise/training because they used my car for target practice. One of the birds must have ate something rotten because the bird cool-whip might have left a dent in my hood. I'm surprised my car alarm didn't go off. Next stop brown bear to wash off all the cool-whip.
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This is the thing. I grew up in Ohio. Saltwater breezes, bald eagles, and seal pups were not a part of my daily life. I lived in a valley carved out of the utter flatness that is the Midwest. It is both the allergy and cancer capital of the world. Bad things fall down from out of the air, and stay. So that's why I don't get it when people diss Seattle -- I admit, I have a twisted perspective. That's why walking on Alki (somewhere we specifically moved to be closer to) makes me think this over and over again:
I love it here. I LOVE it here. It's so beautiful. I can't BELIEVE how beautiful it is. OMG a sea lion. I LOVE it here. Smell that air! Feel that fresh breeze! What mountain is that? Look how big Key Arena is! Doggie! Boo-boo! Woojums! I love it here. I can't believe we live here!
And repeat.
It will always uplift me -- rain, shine, cold, windy, hot, crowded, empty. Love.
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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!
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I love Alki. There isn't much to say otherwise. Some of the best views in the city are at Alki. In addition you have sand, water, good food nearby, a whole lot of room to walk/run/play in. It's definitely one of my favorite places in the city.
The only negative is that on summer days it tends to be really crowded. You end up walking a long time to the beach (because parking is scarce) and there are a ton of people. With that said, it's been rare that I've ever not found my own little corner of the beach to have fun in by myself.
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LOVE the Alki! My mountains (the Olympics) and the ferries! Fabulous!
I used to live in WS, and still have some friends down on Alki. It's by far one of the best places to be on a nice day in the city. Unfortunately that is no secret, which makes parking a mess!
Some great people watching down there though. From teens, to rollerbladers,, there is alwas something to look at.
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I'm in love with the beach ... the salt air, the eagles, the seals, the otters, the starfish, the tugs, the ferries, the sailboats and sailboat races, the ocean racers, the barges, the Olympics, the sunsets, the illuminated skyline of downtown Seattle at night, the low tides, the kelp, the driftwood, the Thalassotherapy!!!!!!
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AHHHH what a beautiful place to see the Seattle skyline. So awesome that two of my friends independently took me here on the same day. I didn't mind though, because the first time was in the afternoon, and the second time was around sunset. So I got to see the Seattle skyline in two different lights and it was AMAZING. My camera definitely got a workout.
You can even see Mt. Rainier from here...beautiful sight on a clear sunny day. The beach is quite underwhelming, but that's not what I came to Seattle for. I get enough beaches in sunny California. But man...if I ever lived in Seattle, this would definitely be one of the first places I would bring my visitor friends.
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On the way to Alki Beach, there are the best views of downtown Seattle. There's also a long walkway for people to run/walk/skate/bike their way around town. Parking absolutely sucks, especially on a nice day. There are a limited amount of spaces right next to the beach so one must resort to neighborhood parking. I've always wondered how people who live there can stand the parking situation....
I like the restaurants and shops across the street from the beach. So far I've been to Pepperdock and Duke's; each has their own uniqueness. Pepperdock always seems to have a line out the door for their ice cream.
As for the actual beach, the sand is nasty. My boyfriend noticed clumps of "moistness" and I thought it was just normal, wet sand. We think it's dirty... It definitely made us want to take a shower after walking around barefoot. There are lots of volleyball posts for nets, but you have to bring your own gear. Near the water the sand slowly becomes gravel; not very comfy for my feet, but fun to find rocks to skip in the water.
Alki Beach is alright if you don't mind driving around for an hour [or more] for parking and just want to sit in the sun [preferably not directly on the sand], but I'd rather go to Golden Gardens.
This is a real anomaly up in Seattle. A nice sandy beach. It's great!
If you have ever seen the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" with Tom Hanks, this is the beach where they take their boat and then throw the football to each other. Definitely go here and relax.
There's a great fish & chips place across the street (I want to say Spuds). Anyway, Alki is a great place to spend a summer day in Seattle.
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.
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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.
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Beautiful. Fun. Relaxing.
I definetely don't get here that often anymore like I used to, but it's a great retreat once in a while. Sometimes just driving clear to W Seattle and try to find parking just to enjoy a little while on Alki is unappealing, but it still reels me in as a fave. It's the cruizing blvd. and beach that makes you think you are in SoCal when it's summer.
