West Seattle beachfront Walkabout

West Seattle has a couple of fine old city parks that merit a visit: Lincoln Park and Schmitz Preserve Park. They’re both pretty places, but neither park alone is large enough to provide more than an hour of strolling. For a full day’s outing, do the long walk from the water taxi dock along the waterfront to Lincoln Park. Breezy views overlooking Puget Sound will lift your spirits.

updated 9/23/2021

Alki Beach Promenade (Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons)

Getting There

The scenic way to get to Alki Beach from downtown Seattle is via the West Seattle Water Taxi. Dock is located at Pier 50. Reduced schedule in winter.

Water taxi info: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/water-taxi/west-seattle.aspx

If the water taxi is not running, you can ride to the area on Rapid Ride C. Transfer at Alaska Junction station to Metro 50 and ride to Alki Beach.

The Hike

From the water taxi dock, start walking west along the waterfront on a paved trail. Views are continuous, first toward downtown Seattle across Eliot Bay, then as you round Duwamish Head, toward Puget Sound. Duwamish Head was the site of an elaborate amusement park built in 1907, named Luna Park. Seattlelites by the thousands rode out by electric street car to enjoy the beach and amusement park. Luna Park burned down in 1931, and now there’s little left of it except some pilings visible at low tide.

Eventually you arrive at:

Alki Beach Park

Alki Beach has long been Seattle’s premier destination for waterside fun in the sand. On warm summer weekends, the beach can get Coney Island crowded; however, at other times, it’s a peaceful place to take a walk. Swimming in the clear water looks tempting, but only polar bears will enjoy the chilly temperature of the water, which rarely exceeds 50 degrees, even in midsummer.

The odd sounding word Alki is an indian word usually translated as “by and by.” The first white settlers at Alki beach optimistically (or ironically) dubbed their first dismal outpost , “New York, Alki.” “Alki” is also the Washington State motto.

A 2.5 mile walkway lines the beach. At the west end of Alki Beach is a restroom and bathhouse building, and the Seattle Birthplace Monument honoring the arrival here of Seattle’s first settlers on November 13, 1851. The day was miserably cold and rainy, in true Seattle fashion. Rumor has it that the womenfolk broke out in tears upon seeing the place.

Heading west on the waterfront, you will pass a sandy beach with fire pits and volleyball nets, always busy with fun-seekers on a sunny day. There are great views out over Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island. Numerous boats, including the huge, white-painted state ferries, can be seen plying the waters.

Aerial view of Alki Point and beach. The walking route suggested here follows almost the entire shoreline seen in the picture. Schmitz Park is the green patch in the center.

(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Lincoln Park

When done with the Alki waterfront trail, it's time to head to Lincoln Park, another West Seattle gem -- if your still feeling energetic. It's about a 3 mile walk from the west end of Alki Beach to Lincoln Park. The whole way is on a sidewalk, but water views and the eclectic architecture of the waterfront homes and condos keeps the walk interesting.

First, walk to the west end of the Alki waterfront trail, which ends at a row of condo buildings. Continue walking on Alki Avenue, which turns south at Alki Point and becomes Beach Drive. At Alki Point is a lighthouse which is open to the public during certain hours and days. The next half mile is a nice one, as the sidewalk follows the waterfront of Puget Sound. Farther on, a busy arterial street joins Beach Drive and houses and condo buildings sometimes block off the waterfront. But its not bad walking and pocket parks are scattered here and there offering access to the water.

A mile and a half south of Alki Point, Beach Drive passes Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, a forested greenbelt on a steep hillside featuring a small trail network. The West Seattle Fault comes ashore here, which in the past has caused some geological mayhem. Casual visitors will see little evidence of anything alarming. You will find a long stretch of public waterfront here with a great view out over the Puget Sound.

South of Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, houses crowd the shore and beach views are limited. A mile and a half from Me-Kwa-Mooks, Lincoln Park Drive splits from Beach Drive at a major intersection. Continue walking on Beach Drive, which here becomes a narrow, charming lane squeezed between a steep hillside and a row of beachfront houses. Then the lane ends at the north side of Lincoln Park.

The 135 acre Lincoln Park was acquired by the city of Seattle in 1922, and now features a mix of natural forest and developed amenities such as picnic shelters and sports fields. The views of Puget Sound and its intricate shoreline of islands and inlets are superlative from the park’s vista points.

Just beyond the end of Beach Drive, you reach one of the prettiest beach in Seattle, lying in a gentlly curved cove sheltered by the steep, tree-covered bluff. On a warm day, you’ll want to linger here for a good while. Above the beach is a seawall with a wide trail on top. To continue the walk, stroll along the seawall trail south to Point Williams. Here you will find Colman Pool, open only in summer. The pool is filled with heated, filtered Puget Sound water, providing a uniquely pleasant swimming experience. In warm weather, this is by far the best public pool in Seattle.

The seawall trail continues on south, heading toward the Vashon Ferry pier. Near a picnic shelter, follow a paved trail that climbs away from the waterfront to the top of the bluff, which is much lower on this side of the park. Along the way, the trail crosses a surprising little waterfall, fed by a creeklet draining part of the park. Once on the top of the bluff, you may ramble numerous pretty forested trails, or head over to Fauntleroy Ave to catch a bus.

Getting Back

At Lincoln Park, find your way to Fauntleroy Ave, and catch the northbound Rapid Ride C bus, which takes you back to downtown Seattle.