Top Things to do in Washington
Top Hotels in Washington
- 1. Hyatt Regency Seattle
- 2. Staypineapple, The Maxwell Hotel, Seattle Center
- 3. Hyatt At Olive 8
- 4. Cedarbrook Lodge
- 5. The Paramount Hotel
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, WA
- 7. Mayflower Park Hotel
- 8. Lotte Hotel Seattle
- 9. Mediterranean Inn
- 10. Coast Gateway Hotel
What to do and see in Washington, United States: The Best Beaches
Discover the best top things to do in Washington, United States including San Juan County Park, Ruby Beach, Second Beach, Saltair Beach Park, La Push Beach, Second Beach, Wahluke Slope, Golden Gardens Park, Alki Beach, Rialto Beach.
Restaurants in Washington
1. San Juan County Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
This park offers some of the best whale watching.
2. Ruby Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,233 reviews
Dramatic Pacific coast beach with a rugged shoreline.
Reviewed By Brian0ntheGo - Bradenton, United States
If you are visiting the Olympic Peninsula, make sure you include a stop at Ruby Beach. After visiting the rainforests and the mountains of the region, you'll appreciate the seaside beauty of this picturesque spot. It is just a short walk down to the beach area from the parking lot, and once on the beach, you'll be busy taking pictures of the amazing rocks that stand out of the ocean, the piles of driftwood, the tidal pools, and the crashing waves. While we were there in the afternoon, sunsets must be amazing on clear days. If you want to picnic, make sure you bring your supplies with you as there are no stores anywhere close by. You'll be glad you visited Ruby Beach!
3. Second Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, United States
The walk to Second Beach is less than a mile through the woods on a fairly easy up-and-down trail. The challenge is to get over the many, large sun-bleached driftwood logs at the end of the trail. We expected the driftwood but were totally unprepared for the size and number of the logs – not something that can just be stepped over or around – and much too large to sit down and swing the legs over. The climb and balance on the logs is risky, especially for those with health issues or older bones. Unfortunately, we left our better traction shoes in the vehicle. So my suggestion is to wear good traction shoes to get to the beach and then change to beach shoes once the beach is attained. At the beach during low tide (and we were fortunate to travel on a day with a negative low tide), the magic of the beach and tide pools takes over. We marveled at the exposed sea life clinging to the sea stacks – starfish of many colors, sea anemones, and barnacles – a visual delight! Sunny blue skies and tall rocks create shimmering reflections in the water on the beach. And there’s just nothing like the sound of ocean waves. The main parking lot for Second Beach is small, but an overflow lot provides parking for many more cars with a longer walk. We recommend tide pooling at Second Beach for anyone with the physical ability to get past the logs. Truly one of the best experiences of our time at Olympic National Park.
4. Saltair Beach Park
5. La Push Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Beach with lots of surf: perfect for surfboarding and kayaking.
Reviewed By goodbadterrible
If you are a beach person one area you should not miss is the Pacific Northwest coast. The beaches are like none other in the United States. Rugged, beautiful and exciting. This area offers a series of unusual and beautiful beaches from the numbered beaches to the Rialto beach. If you are looking for a place to stay in the area I highly recommend the Quileute Oceanside Resort in La Push. They have a motel, cabins on the beach and an RV park for various prices. They are also dog-friendly and have separate cabins available if you have a dog. A wonderful place to stay. The beach in La Push is also a popular surfing beach where surfers do their stuff from early morning till dark. Very interesting to watch. There is also an excellent restaurant in La Push called the River's Edge Restuarant where they serve excellent food and the best clam chowder I have tasted.
6. Second Beach
7. Wahluke Slope
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
An open land area with spectacular scenic views located along the Columbia River.
8. Golden Gardens Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
You won't find gold here, nor gardens, but with all the sand, sun and surf on this lovely beach, you won't even notice.
Reviewed By teresitalovestogo - Seattle, United States
Golden Gardens remains one of the best spots in Seattle. There are playgrounds, volleyball nets, walking paths, sand, views and FREE parking. Even on a gray day, the views of Puget Sound are gorgeous, and the people watching is unparalleled.
9. Alki Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,051 reviews
Beach made famous in a scene from the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" where Tom Hanks flies a kite with his son.
Reviewed By DeeFry
We live in West Seattle, and the waterfront walk from Alki to Harbor Ave is the best place to bike and walk, with lots of cafes on the opposite side. However, the city should widen the walking part along Alki, because you end up walking single file when it's crowded, so cannot walk with your friend(s). Simply remove the plantings (no need to water nor take care of) that separate the biking from walking, and cement it so that it is wide like the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France. It's fun to watch the beach volleyball games, too.
10. Rialto Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 692 reviews
Pacific coast beach.
Reviewed By miklospat - Sequim, United States
This is a beautiful beach and even wheelchair accessible close enough to enjoy the view and the sound of the surf. Picnic tables near the parking lots. For easy access go the north end of the parking lot past the restrooms and follow the path. They usually clear most of the driftwood logs for easy access here. Access elsewhere usually involves climbing over a lot of logs. Nice walk to hole in the wall at the end of the beach, but be advised that you may need to cross a creek that may be ankle deep to go that far except in the middle of summer when it dries up. Just a great beach with sea stacks, tide pools, huge driftwood logs, colorful beach rocks, close forest cover, and a huge expanse of beach to explore. Does require an Olympic park pass and dogs are not permitted past the creek.sunrises ok sunsets are better.
