Seattle
West
Elliott Bay Water Taxi - Our favorite way to go to Alki Beach is to take the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, a small boat that chugs back and forth between Pier 55 and Seacrest Park.
Seacrest Park - The park has grass, benches, picnic tables, and restaurants. There's also a small sandy beach with driftwood where the kids can play while you're waiting for the ferry, with views of cranes and trains that load good from the container ships.
In front of the water ferry dock, pick up the free shuttle bus to Alki Beach (no need to run, the bus will wait while you get off the boat).
Alki Beach - Alki Beach is a smooth pebbly beach with tiny waves lapping at the shore. The beach has grass, plenty of picnic tables, fire rings, and lots of casual restaurants, delis and bakeries across the way. Rent bikes at Wheel Fun rentals, they have surreys as well as kids' bikes, May to September. Bring your beach toys and make an afternoon of it.
Alki Point Lighthouse - Established in 1887, the current lighthouse (built in 1887) is still a working lighthouse. June to August, take a tour of the lighthouse, 1 - 4pm.
Tide pools - South around the point from the lighthouse are lovely tide pools, with red and green seaweed, barnacles, sea anemones, and big white clam shells.