Astretch of Elliott bay separates central Seattle from the peninsula of West Seattle, the city’s oldest and largest district. Connected by a high freeway bridge and a lower span, West Seattle’s proximity to both downtown and the Industrial District has always made it a popular residential area. More than 53,000 people reside here, for since the 1990s dot.com boom West Seattle has attracted an entirely new population of younger, entrepreneurial residents drawn by lower housing costs, the strong sense of community, and some of the best parklands in the city. Alki Beach and its paved waterfront trail bring hordes of revelers when the long, damp winter months give way to sunnier spring days.
Some of the best views of mountains, water, and the city skyline originate from the hilltops in West Seattle. Choose your activity based on weather conditions. If it’s sunny and warm, head to Alki Beach or take a ferry ride. Parking is extremely hard to find at Alki in summer. Consider taking a bus, biking, or walking from a short distance away.-
Experience scenic Alki Avenue via an easy bike ride along a waterfront bike trail (about 3.5 flat miles each way). Begin at Danny’s Leather & Bikes (3422 Harbor Ave SW) where you can rent beach bikes. Facing Danny’s, head left. Near the 1100 block of Harbor Avenue, you’ll notice Don Armeni Park, where wedding parties and professional photographers often congregate to snap pics of the city skyline. The road curves and becomes Alki Avenue, where you can take in great views with telescopes set up above the sea wall. Public Restrooms appear at the intersection of 57th Avenue SW. As you reach the central part of the beach community, Puget Sound and its ships and sailboats recede from view to the north, and the Olympic Mountains to the left.
At 60th Avenue, Alki Beach Park begins and supine bodies populate the sandy stretch. At 61st Avenue SW, look for the miniature Statue of Liberty on the right, built in 1952 on the strip of land early settlers had dubbed “New York Alki”. At 63rd Avenue SW there’s a monument erected to celebrate that landing party’s arrival. Sweet tooths will get justifiably woozy at Alki Bakery , and you can have lunch in the inhouse restaurant. As the street narrows and curves again, you’ll see the Coast Guard Station (3201 Alki Ave), which offers tours of the Alki Point lighthouse on weekends from May to September.
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This neighborhood supermarket and gourmet purveyor of prepared food offers customized salads, pasta dishes, and panini (grilled sandwiches) cooked to order, and creative side dishes galore. The store also sells quality kitchenware.
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Specializes in decadently tall cakes, irresistible cookies, éclairs, berry pies, and cheese-cakes. Also serves tasty salads, homemade soups, and sandwiches.
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Seattle pioneer Arthur A. Denny (see Denny Party) and his party aboard the ship Exact were the first Europeans to settle the region; they chose the beachhead of West Seattle to come ashore in 1851. Duwamish Tribe Chief Sealth met the group with open arms and began a long friendship with Seattle’s founders. Today, Alki Point boasts row after row of upscale water-front condos for the well-to-do, and a great beach for shell hunting or scuba diving.
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Find blown-glass vases, bowls, sculpture, ornaments, garden floats, paperweights, and seasonal items in myriad shapes, colors, and sizes in this exciting workshop.
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Insiders return often for their fix of professionally prepared sushi and sashimi, sake, and teriyaki at very reasonable prices.
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For a bird’s-eye view of the city of Seattle and its immediate environment, simply drive or take a bus up Admiral Way to tiny Belvedere Park. Take in 180-degree picture postcard views of the Cascade Range behind the high-rises of downtown, industrial Harbor Island and the Port of Seattle’s container yards, and Elliott Bay and Puget Sound. On clear days, distant and permanently snow-capped Mount Baker on the northeastern horizon looms above all else. If you’re in downtown, a 20-minute bus ride to Alki Beach drops you nearby on Olga Street SW.
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In an entirely urban locale, Camp Long comes close to imparting the wild and natural experience usually found only during hikes in local mountain ranges. Once the 1941-era camp served only scouting organizations, but in 1984, the 68-acre compound opened to the general public. Inside the grounds, visitors can hike trails, learn about the environment from professional naturalists, or even rent rustic cabins for in-city camping. One of the most popular attractions is the 20-ft (6-m) high Schurman climbing rock, carefully designed to incorporate every climbing maneuver. Bats, Opossum, raccoons, chipmunks, and northern flying squirrels have been sighted in the camp. Weekly interpretive walks, rock climbing classes, and a golf course are also available.
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A home furnishings and gift store with a sit-down café. Savor epicurean delights such as blackened breast of chicken Caesar salads, Moroccan stews, and sumptuous sandwiches on peasant bread.
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Along with assorted jewelry and accessories for women, the boutique sells apparel manufactured by Nanette Lepore, Ella Moss, and Hanky Panky.
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Restaurant price categories
For a three-course meal for one with two glasses of wine (or equivalent) and tax.
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Christmas Ship FestivalThe Christmas Ship Festival is a magical holiday celebration in Seattle, Washington that has become a local Northwest tradition since its inception in 1950. Read more
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