Alki Beach Park

Alki Beach Park is Seattle's premier family beach destination, offering 2.5 miles of sandy shoreline with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and downtown Seattle skyline. Kids can build sandcastles, splash in the calm waters, explore tide pools, and enjoy multiple playground areas, while parents relax by fire pits or watch beach volleyball games.

• ✓2.5 miles of sandy beach perfect for sandcastle building and wading
• ✓Iconic Alki Point Lighthouse and surrounding tide pools
• ✓Multiple playgrounds along the beachfront
• ✓Fire pits for beach bonfires (first-come, first-served)
• ✓Paved pathway ideal for biking, scootering, and beach cruising with stunning skyline views

1. 1.Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends to snag parking and a fire pit spot,they fill up fast and parking becomes nearly impossible by noon
2. 2.Bring layers and a windbreaker even on sunny days; the beach can get breezy, especially in the afternoon
3. 3.The best tide pools for kids are near the lighthouse at low tide,check tide charts before visiting
4. 4.Pack or rent beach cruisers to ride the flat, scenic path that runs the entire length of the beach,it's stroller-friendly too
5. 5.The bathhouse near the center of the beach has clean restrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off sandy kids

Visit on weekday mornings during summer (July-August) for the warmest water and smallest crowds. Low tide mornings are ideal for tide pooling with kids. Sunsets are spectacular year-round but arrive early for parking.

Parking is free but extremely limited,use the paid lots or consider taking the Water Taxi from downtown Seattle. Multiple food options line Alki Avenue, from casual cafes to fish and chips spots, and there are clean public restrooms available.

Summer (July-August) offers the warmest weather and water temperatures, though crowds peak then. Spring and fall provide beautiful beach walks with fewer visitors. Winter is perfect for storm watching and cozy fire pit gatherings, but dress warmly. Fire pits are available year-round on a first-come basis.

Marination Ma Kai offers kid-friendly Hawaiian-Korean fusion with outdoor seating right on the beach. Pegasus Pizza serves family-style pizzas and has a casual atmosphere perfect for sandy, tired kids just steps from the beach.