The Hidden Marine View Park Beach In Washington Will Make You Feel A Million Miles Away From It All
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Jessica Wick
Author
One of the many, many wonderful things about Washington is that no matter where you live, you’re never far from nature. Even our bigger cities are always near natural oases to explore, and some of them are even hidden within urban areas. The beach at Normandy Park’s Marine View Park is no exception.
You’ll find Normandy Park just 12 miles south of Seattle, not far from the SeaTac airport. Tucked in between Burien and Des Moines, it offers a quiet respite from the city. Its waterfront location makes it a desirable place for anyone living in the area.
Marine View Park is situated between Marine View Drive SW and the beautiful Puget Sound. It’s the city’s only park with saltwater beach access. The upper portion has graveled paths through the woods leading to a steep bluff and a large ravine.
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The beach takes a little effort to reach. Walk the loop trail through the leafy trees, then turn off down a separate path about halfway through the loop. At the edge of the park there are two sets of wooden stairs, and at the bottom of those stairs is where you’ll find the sandy, calm shoreline.
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The beach itself is quiet and serene. The walk tends to deter most of the crowds, so if you catch it at the right time, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled across you own private beach. The farther away from the stairs you wander, the more likely you are to be totally secluded. Like most northwest beaches, the shoreline is a combination of pebbles and sand.
The staircase leading down to the beach also has viewing platforms that offer stunning views of both Des Moines and Mount Rainier. Stop on your way down or back up and take them in.
The upper part of the park has picnic areas, viewing vistas and a few hiking trails. Many visitors think that’s all the park has to offer and skip the walk down to the beach. Needless to say, this is one of the Seattle area’s best kept secrets.
Washington is full of wonder. Check out these other beautiful hidden spots to explore.
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