I just visited Alki Beach for the first time. It is a great place, and reasonably convenient from downtown. The beach itself is roughly a quarter mile long and has great views looking out into... More

I just visited Alki Beach for the first time. It is a great place, and reasonably convenient from downtown. The beach itself is roughly a quarter mile long and has great views looking out into the sound. The sand seems to have been trucked in, as the actual shoreline was mostly comprised of small pebbles (still easy to walk on). It had a good number of people hanging out, playing volleyball, tossing footballs, and generally having a great time. Although there were a lot of people it didn't really feel crowded. You can reserve fire pits and grills in advance (don't expect them to be free when you arrive). There is also a small event hall that can be rented (there was a wedding reception being held there when we visited). Opposite the beach, there are lots of bars & restaurants that all look like a lot of fun. The area is known for stellar Fish & Chips. A long shoreline park runs south of the beach, and offers great views of downtown Seattle. This is a great spot for a long walk, or possibly a run. Although there were a lot of cars around the beach, I didn't find it too difficult to park, although I can see it being quite challenging.
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I grew up in west seattle and it was the place to hangout as there was lots of violence deeper into west seattle. the scenery is really nice as you get to see all of downtown. when the sun sets... More

I grew up in west seattle and it was the place to hangout as there was lots of violence deeper into west seattle. the scenery is really nice as you get to see all of downtown. when the sun sets and things quiet down, you see seattle buildings light up. great places to eat also, and there are tons of women.
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Alki would be it. Alki is one of only a few sandy Puget Sound beaches in Seattle, which makes it hospitable to sunbathing, vollyball, and generally lots of fun-seeking folks. Sand: the sand... More

Alki would be it. Alki is one of only a few sandy Puget Sound beaches in Seattle, which makes it hospitable to sunbathing, vollyball, and generally lots of fun-seeking folks. Sand: the sand seems safe to walk around barefoot in... not much broken glass or anything like that. However, the sand is quite dirty from people making (illigal) fires on the beach and leaveing their charred wood to dispurse into the sand. So expect dirty feet. Water: Puget sound is cold! But if you're thick skinned, this is a great swimming beach with a gradual slope and a sandy/pebbly substrate into the water. There is occationally big clumps of seaweed that wash up, but nothing too alarming. Bike/Rollarblade/walking path: there is a nice scenic paved path right along the beach that is busy with people strolling, exerciseing, rideing rented adult-tricycles, etc. The scene: lots of all types of people! hardbodies playing vollyball, familys having picnics, kids running and splashing around, teenagers hanging out with friends, old folks exerciseing on the path. Beachfires: are allowed in the designated fire pits, but not out on the beach. Services: there are public bathrooms, and a ton of restaurants/coffee shops/ice cream shops, rollarblade rentals, etc just accross the street Parking: can be tough. there is street parking all along the beach, but it fills up quickly and you may be forced into the surrounding neighborhoods on a busy (sunny) day.
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