Distance and Travel Time (from downtown Seattle): 10.2 miles (24 min)
Trip Type: Outing
Parking
Park in the parking lot or in the overflow parking area on the east side of the park that is accessible past the train tracks (take a right under the bridge at the stop sign to the entrance of the park where Golden Gardens Dr NW turns into Seaview Pl NW)
When to Go
Any time of year (You can enjoy a nice stroll along the beach any time of year but it can be quite chilly on in winter and spring and on windy days)
Things to Do
Stroll around the park, play in the sand, throw stones in the water from the rocky part of the beach, picnic and relax, playground, large grass area for various activities (soccer, badminton, frisbees, etc.)
Tips
1) On sunny days and weekends parking fills fast so using the overflow parking past the train tracks is a good option since kids like to watch the trains up-close.
2) VisitingBallard Locks on the same day which is just south of the park makes a good trip as well.
3) The sunset is beautiful – many go shortly before sunset to see it – so get there a couple of hours earlier and make watching the sunset the last thing to do before you leave.