Looking west from Alki Beach
No matter what time of day you visit Alki Beach in West Seattle, there’s no shortage of fun activities at your disposal. From beachcombing to bike riding to nightlife, Alki really heats up in the summertime.
One of the best ways to take in the views of downtown, Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains is via the Alki Trail. Measuring more than five miles from end to end, the Alki Trail provides pedestrians and bicyclists ample space to explore the shoreline and the shops and restaurants along the way.
There are several distinct sections of the trail that include a shared-use portion on the southeastern-most stretch of the scenic corridor, separated ped and bike paths around the mid-point of the trail, and Seattle’s original protected bike lane on the western segment. Whether you’re riding the entire trail or just sections of it, this trail is provides outstanding conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists of all ages and abilities.
Seattle’s original protected bike lane (click for larger image)
Getting here is easy thanks to many different travel options that provide service to the area. Hop on the King County Water Taxi and enjoy the downtown skyline as you head west. Or take one of several King County Metro Transit routes that can take you from essentially anywhere in the city to the bustling urban beach scene. Bicyclists coming from the east can use the Lower Level West Seattle Bridge (aka the Spokane Street Bridge) to access the trail.
This area is a hub of activities. From art to dining and from Seattle Summer Streets to just simply sitting on the dock of the bay, there’s an endless list of things to do on Alki. With nearly non-stop blazing sunshine in Seattle this summer, Alki is the place to be!
Seattle Summer Streets on Alki