Did you know there are numerous beach towns near Seattle?
No, we’re not talking about West Seattle (although we love Alki Beach too). When the city heats up in the summer, you may find yourself wanting to escape to a quiet coastal town. The good news is that there are several beach towns that are only a short drive or ferry ride away from Seattle. Each town boasts beautiful beaches and quaint downtown areas full of fun things to do.
Before you go, remember to pack a sweater and prepare to embrace the unique vibes of our northern coast. The water of the Pacific Ocean and Puget Sound may be chilly, some of the beaches may be a little more rocky than sandy, and you probably shouldn’t expect to go home with a tan—but in our opinion, all these things just add to the cozy charm of these PNW beach towns.
Here are our top-five favorite beach towns near Seattle:
1. Seabrook
Just under three hours from Seattle, Seabrook is an idyllic coastal town located in the North Beach area of Washington. Seabrook describes itself as “a walkable beach town seamlessly woven into nature.” Although some residents live there full-time, the town is mostly geared towards visitors who rent out the charming beach cottages. You can easily walk to the beach, restaurants, shops, a spa, and more amenities within the town. In 2023, the town will be adding an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a new fresh foods market.
2. Ocean Shores
The coastal city of Ocean Shores, WA is a three-hour drive from Seattle. The water temperature averages a chilly 55 degrees in the summer but the long, sandy beaches are great for a cozy beach day full of activities beyond just swimming. You can have a beach fire, sign up for horseback riding on the beach with Chenois Creek Horse Rentals, and even drive your car (or mopeds and e-bikes!) along the beach.
3. Port Angeles
Dubbed “the gateway to the Olympic National Park,” Port Angeles is a must-visit that is under three hours from Seattle. You can walk to the beaches within the city of Port Angeles or venture into the national park to visit famous beaches such as Rialto Beach and La Push Beaches. There’s also plenty of restaurants, wineries and breweries, lodging, and things to do within historic Port Angeles.
4. Bainbridge Island
A mere 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle, Bainbridge Island is a quick and easy summer weekend getaway. For a beach day, you can visit Fay Bainbridge Park, Pritchard Park, and Lytle Beach. Downtown Winslow is where most visitors eat, shop and stay but before you go, you can read about the island’s various neighborhoods on the Bainbridge Island website.
5. Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor is a historic seaport on San Juan Island that can be reached via a 1.5-hour drive from Seattle, followed by a ferry from Anacortes. At three and a half hours total, this trip is a little longer but we think it’s well worth it. Friday Harbor is a walkable coastal town full of quaint shops, locally-owned restaurants, and plenty of whale-watching opportunities. It’s also a perfect springboard for exploring the San Juan Islands.