There’s no denying that one of the best things about summer is frequent visits to Seattle’s best beaches. If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat and cool off this summer, check out these 10 beaches in Seattle:

1. Seward Park Audubon Center - 5902 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118
Seward Park Audubon Center, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118, USA
yelp/Wes M.
The Seward Park Audubon Center is a great place to spend an afternoon with the entire family. This gorgeous park is a 2.6-mile loop trail, and because of its popularity, the beach area tends to get crowded on hot summer days. For the best spot, be sure to arrive early. This is a wonderful beach near Seattle.
2. Discovery Park - 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
Discovery Park, Seattle, WA 98199, USA
yelp/Chris D.
Discovery Park, located in Magnolia on the peninsula, is Seattle's largest park. It has many great beaches that are hardly ever crowded. Discovery Park's beach areas also offer incredible views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. One of the more beautiful beaches in Washington.
3. Pritchard Island Beach - 8400 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Pritchard Island Beach, 8400 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, USA
yelp/Sherill Y.
Located within the Rainier Beach area, Pritchard Island Beach is a small, quiet beach that's perfect for relaxing. It also offers incredible scenic views.
4. Green Lake Park - 7201 E Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98103
Green Lake Park, 7201 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
yelp/Monica B.
Green Lake Park is a natural preserve that offers two beaches: East Green Lake Beach and West Green Lake Beach. There's also a 2.8-mile paved path around the lake that's perfect for bicycling. Some of the best beaches in Washington!
5. Warren G. Magnuson Park - 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Warren G. Magnuson Park Off Leash Area, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
yelp/Talia E.
At 350 acres, Warren G. Magnuson Park is Seattle's second-largest park. It's located on Sand Point at Pontiac Bay and is well known for its off-leash dog beach area. One of our favorite beaches in Seattle.

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6. Madison Park Beach - E Madison St & E Howe St, Seattle, WA 98112
Madison Park Beach, 1900 43rd Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
yelp/Yordan M.
Madison Park Beach is located along Lake Washington and offers great views. Instead of sand, the beach area is grassy. Madison Park Beach does get crowded during the summer, so be sure to arrive early. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, and there's also a nice dock for visitors to enjoy. This is one of the best beaches in Seattle!
7. Matthews Beach Park - 4999 NE 93rd St, Seattle, WA 98115
Matthews Beach Park, 5100 NE 93rd St, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
foursquare/Yumi W.
Matthews Beach Park is a 22-acre park that features a popular swimming beach. During the summer, two lifeguards are on duty and a nice diving platform is anchored out in the water.
8. Mount Baker Park Beach - 2521 Lake Park Dr S, Seattle, WA 98144
Mount Baker Park, 2521 Lake Park Dr S, Seattle, WA 98144, USA
yelp/Alanna M.
With roped-off shallow and deep ends, Mount Baker Park Beach is a great place for children to spend their summer days. This beautiful beach has many grassy areas to lie on, and it also offers a sandy area that runs along the shoreline. Such a family-friendly beach in Seattle.
9. Alki Beach Park - 1702 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98127
Alki Beach Park, 2665 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116, USA
yelp/Michael C.
Alki Beach offers stunning views of the Seattle skyline and the city's famous Space Needle. This is another beach that gets crowded during summertime, so arrive early to grab your spot. The most popular of the beaches in Seattle!
10. Golden Gardens Park - 8498 Seaview Pl NW, Seattle, WA 98117
Golden Gardens Park, 8498 Seaview Pl NW, Seattle, WA 98117, USA
yelp/Moe C.
Golden Gardens Park is one of the best places in Seattle to watch a sunset. Its beach area does get crowded during the summer. However, because Golden Gardens Park is spread out, it's not difficult to find a spot. Bonfire parties, volleyball, and flying kites are just a few of the many activities enjoyed by beach visitors. One of our favorite beaches near Seattle.

Which of these beaches in Seattle is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for some great places to stay in Seattle? We love the W Hotel in Seattle!

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More to Explore

Beaches In Seattle

Megan McDonald | June 06, 2023

Are there any sandy beaches in Seattle?

Seattle, Washington, is known for its stunning natural scenery, but it does not have traditional sandy beaches like those found in coastal areas. The city is situated on the Puget Sound, which has rocky shorelines and tidal flats rather than sandy beaches. However, there are a few beaches in Seattle where you can still enjoy the waterfront:

  • Alki Beach: Located in the West Seattle neighborhood, Alki Beach offers a stretch of sand along the Puget Sound. While it may not be a typical sandy beach, it provides a pleasant waterfront area with views of the city skyline, picnic spots, walking paths, and opportunities for beachcombing.
  • Golden Gardens Park: Situated in the Ballard neighborhood, Golden Gardens Park features a pebble beach with views of the Olympic Mountains. It offers a pleasant atmosphere for strolling along the shoreline, picnicking, and enjoying the sunset.
  • Madison Park Beach: Located in the Madison Park neighborhood, this small beach area offers a grassy park with a sandy strip along Lake Washington. It's a popular spot for sunbathing, picnicking, and wading in the water.

 

While these beaches may not have the same sandy expanses found in other coastal areas, they still provide opportunities to enjoy the waterfront, relax, and take in the beautiful views. If you're seeking larger, sandy beaches, you would need to travel outside of Seattle to areas like the Olympic Peninsula or the San Juan Islands.

How far is downtown Seattle from the beach?

The distance between downtown Seattle and the nearest beach, Alki Beach, is approximately 4 miles. Alki Beach is located in the West Seattle neighborhood, which is just across Elliott Bay from downtown Seattle. The journey from downtown to Alki Beach typically takes around 15-20 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. It's worth noting that travel times may vary depending on the specific starting point in downtown and the mode of transportation chosen. Additionally, public transportation options like buses and water taxis are available to reach Alki Beach from downtown Seattle.

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