Without a doubt Seattle's most popular beach, Alki has all the charm of an idyllic vacation destination and all the convenience of a local beach.
This 0.6-mile stretch of beach in West Seattle between Alki Point and Duwamish* Head is not only the most relaxed setting in the city, but its also the original landing site of the Denny Party, the first European settlers to the city in 1851. Here, Chief Seattle greeted the party and helped them through the winter before they ventured to their final settlement on the eastern shore of Elliott Bay. Today, a monument in Alki Beach Park commemorates the historic event.
Beyond simply hunkering down in the sand and enjoying the views of the Olympics, Alki Beach** is a summer mecca for beach volleyball, bicycling, jogging, and strolling along the Alki Trail. The beachfront park includes a bathhouse built in 1911 that now functions as an art studio, public restrooms, picnic tables and fire pits, and an extensive lawn along the park's southwestern end.
* "Duwamish," meaning "many-colored river," comes from the Chinook word "duwampsh."
** Alki Beach was the first designated municipal beach on the west coast.
Note: Bike rentals (four-wheeled, tandem, and conventional) are available at Wheel Fun Rentals. Call 206.932.2035 for details.
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