Posted in Washington Nature, On The Water, Road Trips March 24, 2022 by

The Hidden Beaches Road Trip That Will Show You Washington Like Never Before

Long Beach and Ocean Shores are amazing places, but they’re also well-known, which often means crowded. Sometimes it’s nice to enjoy some of the best beaches in Washington that are a little more secluded. This road trip, which you can take on a weekend or whenever you have the time, features some of the Evergreen State’s lesser-known stretches of sand. Enjoy; you’ll want to add each of these to your list of Washington beaches to visit.

The route:
Google Maps
1. Meadowdale Beach Park
Bettina H / Yelp
Start by checking out Meadowdale Beach Park in the charming city of Edmonds, located just a few miles north of Seattle. While the park itself gets crowded, you have to hike to reach the beach, which is usually much more secluded. The stretch of beach here is clean and peaceful.
6026 156th St SW, Edmonds, WA 98026, USA
2. Me-Kwa-Mooks Park
Nick V / Yelp
West Seattle's Alki Beach is beautiful, but it's perpetually packed with locals and tourists. Head around the corner on Beach Drive and you'll eventually come to Me-Kwa-Mooks, a laid back park with a small beach perfect for taking in the views.
4503 Beach Dr SW, Seattle, WA 98116, USA
3. Marine View Park
Heather J / Yelp
Marine View Park is a hidden gem, and its name is misleading... but there is, in fact, a beautiful beach here. And the steep half-mile hike from the parking lot deters some visitors, so you just might have the beach to yourself.
20945 Marine View Dr SW, Normandy Park, WA 98166, USA
4. Point No Point Lighthouse, Hansville
jschott6 / TripAdvisor
The Point No Point Lighthouse is the oldest in the area. And while it's rather small and unassuming, what many people don't realize is that the sandy beach that surrounds it is the main attraction.
9009 NE Point No Point Rd, Hansville, WA 98340, USA
5. Glass Beach, McCurdy Point Road, Port Townsend
Daniel Hartwig / Flickr
McCurdy Point is a 100 foot bluff that extends south and east with elevated headlands. Beneath it, you'll find a beautiful beach full of jewelry quality sea glass. To reach it, park at the North Beach parking lot on Kuhn Street and walk about 2.5 miles west McCurdy Point. Since this beach is tough to reach, it's often secluded.
McCurdy Point Road, McCurdy Point Rd, Washington 98368, USA
6. Port Williams, Port Williams Road, Sequim
Port Williams Beach Sequim Facebook
This often overlooked beach is a total treasure. It's the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll with your special someone, enjoy time with your family or stretch your legs solo. There are picnic tables and a small boat launch for boaters.
Port Williams Road, Port Williams Rd, Sequim, WA 98382, USA

Did this inspire you to hit the road? We hope so! In fact, we hope you get to enjoy many of Washington’s most beautiful beaches this summer! What are your favorite Washington beaches to visit? Tell us about them (as well as your plans if you’re hoping to go a Washington getaway!) in the comments.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Hidden Beaches in Washington

June 07, 2019
Jessica Wick

What are the prettiest beaches in Washington?

Every beach in Washington definitely has a truly unique beauty. However, our state is nationally known for the Long Beach Peninsula, one of the longest beaches in the world and often considered the best sandy beach in Washington. Also, the beaches of the Olympic Peninsula are stunning. The sea stacks and frequent fog make them look mystical and otherworldly. However, the Olympic Peninsula is pretty isolated, so if you're looking for a beautiful beach you can reach in a day, head to Golden Gardens in Seattle.

What are the best beach towns in Washington?

Ocean Shores is family-friendly, relaxing, and charming. It sits between the Olympic Peninsula and the beaches of the southern half of the state, and it has its own stretch of shoreline that looks a lot like Long Beach. Port Angeles is known for being one of Washington's best small towns, and it has a little bit of everything (including its beautiful beaches). Westport is fun for fishing and surfing, and if you want to visit a charming Cape Cod-like village, rent a cottage in Seabrook. And of course, you can never go wrong with Long Beach.

What beaches have the clearest water in Washington? 

Our ocean beach towns are often gray and foggy, so you won't find turquoise water or Caribbean sand there. If you want to see the beach with the clearest water in Washington, head inland and check out the beaches at Lake Chelan. Lake Chelan is not only one of the clearest lakes in the Pacific Northwest, but it actually has some of the clearest, cleanest water in the country. As the largest natural lake in the state of Washington, it's easy to see why this is a popular vacation destination.