With over 3,000 miles of scenic coastline, Washington state beaches are a highlight of the Pacific Northwest. That’s not even counting the beaches sprinkled around the state!
Many of Washington’s beaches are situated in the Olympic Mountains, allowing you to go from hiking in the Hoh Rainforest to walking on sandy shores in under two hours. Other beaches in the state are located near bigger cities, giving you a truly picturesque landscape with minimal driving.
Since every Washington state beach has something unique to offer, I’m sharing a round up of the best WA state beaches worth adding to your bucket list.
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17 Washington State Beaches
In this post, I’ll share my favorite Washington state beaches and highlight what makes them unique. I’ll also share tips on how to access them and when to go to get the most out of your experience.
Are there beaches in Washington state?
Since The Evergreen State is on the west coast, there are tons of beaches in WA state. 51 to be exact. Granted, they’re not all typical white sandy beaches like in California, but they are beautiful, rugged, and offer a one-of-a-kind glimpse of the Pacific Coast.
Are Washington state beaches public?
While some beaches in Washington state are private, most are public. As you’re walking along public spaces, you may notice signs that you’re approaching privately-owned beaches, so be mindful to avoid trespassing.
Bonus: Most of the beaches allow leashed dogs!
What are the best beaches in Washington state?
Save this to Pinterest for later because I’ll add more of Washington’s best beaches as I discover them!
Ruby Beach
website | near Forks, WA (get directions) | best for: soft sand, tide pooling, and haystacks | dog friendly | national park pass required
Ruby Beach is one of my favorite Washington coast attractions. It’s located just south of where the Hoh River meets the Pacific Ocean and is known for its unique rock formations and sun-bleached driftwood. During low tide, you can walk far out and possibly find tide pools full of starfish and crabs.
This spot is popular during the summer, so I recommend going early in the morning or visiting during the off seasons in May or late September.
Kalaloch Beach
website | near Forks, WA (get directions) | best for: Tree of Life and camping | dog friendly | national park pass required
Kalaloch Beach (pronounced “clay-lock”) is another popular beach, especially for its tide pools and sea stacks. It also has a campground, so people love to stay overnight and explore the protected area. I’ve visited at low tide and seen pools filled with floating sea urchins, anemones, sea stars, and more. You’ll notice the Tree of Life, a massive tree actively growing over an eroding river bed. It won’t be there forever, so snap a picture!
Pro tip: If you’re planning a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula, the Kalaloch Lodge is one of the most pet-friendly hotels in Washington.
La Push Beaches
La Push, WA (get directions) | best for: easy hiking
There are three beaches in La Push, all of which are on Quileute Nation land: First Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach. Despite being located on the same road, they’re not accessible from one another, so you’ll have to park at the individual beaches.
First Beach is the most accessible and requires the least amount of hiking to access. Second Beach is the most popular due to its expansive views. It requires an easy 0.7-mile hike through old growth forest to reach the water. Third Beach is the least crowded of the three and offers more sandy shores as opposed to having to climb over driftwood.
Rialto Beach
website | just north of La Push, WA (get directions) | best for: Hole in the Wall rock formation | dog friendly | national park pass required
Rialto Beach is another Olympic National Park beach known for its sea stacks and climbable driftwood. It’s best known for Hole in the Wall, a massive hole that’s been slowly eroded into a rock. To find it, head ~1 mile to the right of the parking lot and be prepared for a log crossing along Ellen Creek. Make sure to check the tide table so you don’t get stuck on the way back.
Pro tip: Wear sturdy shoes, as this is a rocky beach!
Shi Shi Beach
website | Clallam Bay, WA (get directions) | best for: hiking and backpacking | permit required
Shi Shi Beach requires some planning to access, but it’s worth it. It’s on Makah Tribe Land, so you must obtain a permit to visit. You’ll also need to hike 4 miles to get there. It can be an easy day trip, but it’s also popular for backpackers hoping to catch sunset pictures of the infamous Point of the Arches sea stacks.
Backpackers love staying overnight at Shi Shi, which requires a National Park Service permit as well. I remember planning to camp here once, but we arrived too late and didn’t feel like setting up our tent in the dark, so we made the trek back and found a hotel (my kind of camping, ha!).
If you’re planning a road trip along Highway 101, make sure to keep going up toward Neah Bay and visit Cape Flattery, the northernmost tip of the continuous United States.
Westport Light State Park
website | Westport, WA (get directions) | best for: dunes, accessibility, and lighthouse | dog friendly | Discover Pass required
Westport is one of the best summer vacations in Washington state. It’s a tiny beach town located at the mouth of Grays Harbor on the Pacific Ocean and is best known for its quiet beaches. Westport Light State Park is home to the tallest lighthouse in the state and has ADA-accessible paved path to explore.
While you’re here, don’t miss the nearby Grayland Beach State Park and Bottle Beach State Park, two stunning beaches with minimal crowds. I especially love Bottle Beach because the tide pulls back so far that it’s perfect for tide pooling.
Long Beach
website | Long Beach, WA (get directions) | best for: sandy and drivable beach | dog friendly | Discover Pass required for Cape Disappointment
Long Beach is a quintessential beach town. With 28 miles of white sandy beaches, it’s the longest drivable beach in the state and the longest peninsula in the world. It’s also home to the International Kite Festival, one of the most iconic Washington state festivals.
Nearby is where Lewis and Clark first saw the ocean: Cape Disappointment State Park. It’s located along the mouth of the Columbia River and features stunning lighthouses, dramatic coastal rocks, and a historic interpretive center.
Pacific Beach
website | Pacific Beach, WA (get directions) | best for: lounging on pristine sandy beaches | dog friendly | Discover Pass required for Pacific Beach State Park, but not nearby Seabrook Beach
I go to Pacific Beach every year to visit the quaint beach town of Seabrook that sits on it. While there’s a state park a few miles up the road that’s popular for camping, Seabrook doesn’t require a parking pass and has virtually no people.
Pro tip: Pacific Beach is 30 minutes from Ocean Shores, another popular beach town known for canals that are perfect for kayaking.
Golden Gardens
website | Seattle, WA (get directions) | best for: lounging, people watching, and mountain views | dog friendly
Despite being crowded, Golden Gardens is one of the best Seattle parks. I go often since I live within walking distance and enjoy taking a stroll to see its unfettered views of the Olympics and Puget Sound. There’s a paved trail along its shore, playground, volleyball nets, snack bar, and nearby kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Alki Beach
website | Seattle, WA (get directions) | best for: city views and coastal trail
Alki Beach is another beloved Seattle park with epic water activities and views of the Seattle cityscape. It’s the most popular beach in West Seattle frequented by locals and visitors alike. It can get crowded during peak summer months, but it has a “down the shore” vibe that feels super nostalgic!
Discovery Park
website | Seattle, WA (get directions) | best for: coastal bluff hiking | dog friendly
Discovery Park Beach is Seattle’s largest park, though it’s located in a quiet part of the city so it’s less frequented by tourists. The park stretches over 500 acres and includes two miles of tidal beaches with seaside cliffs, a lighthouse, and moving sand dunes.
Rosario Beach
website | Anacortes, WA (get directions) | best for: hiking and iconic bridge views | dog friendly | Discover Pass required
Rosario Beach is situated within Deception Pass State Park, a must-visit park known best for Deception Pass Bridge, a scenic bridge you cross from the mainland when you want to spend the day on Whidbey Island. At the beach, you can expect to find tide pools, ocean cliffs and, come summertime, perhaps whales!
Watmough Bay
website | Lopez Island, WA (get directions) | best for: secluded cove | dog friendly
One of the best things to do in Washington state is to explore the San Juan Islands. One of my favorite things to do on Lopez Island is to visit Watmough Bay. It feels like a hidden cove you’d only find in Europe, but the baby seals and occasional whale spottings are a dead giveaway you’re in the PNW.
From here, you can also hike to Point Colville, a secluded beach overlooking the Salish Sea.
South Beach
website | Friday Harbor, WA (get directions) | best for: grassy dunes and fox sightings | dog friendly
The next time you’re planning a day trip to San Juan Island, make time to visit South Beach. It’s a 10-minute drive from Friday Harbor and offers different landscape than other beaches on the west coast. There’s dry grass, tons of driftwood, and woodsy animals like rabbits and foxes running around.
Fort Worden State Park
website | Port Townsend, WA (get directions) | best for: old military batteries | dog friendly | Discover Pass required
Ford Worden State Park is located in Port Townsend, one of the cutest small towns in Washington. There are over 400 acres of forest and beach, including a lighthouse and an abandoned military battery overlooking the shore.
A few miles south of Fort Worden is Fort Flagler, another state park with military batteries, camping, and a pretty beach.
Larrabee State Park
website | Bellingham, WA (get directions) | best for: quiet beach hikes among the forest | dog friendly | Discover Pass required
Visiting Larrabee State Park is one of my favorite things to do in Bellingham and the greater Skagit County. It’s located along the scenic Chuckanut Drive and was Washington’s first state park. The park is over 2,700 acres and offers pristine views of the Samish Bay, with tide pools perfect for collecting sea glass.
Owen Beach
website | Tacoma, WA (get directions) | best for: Mt. Rainier views | dog friendly
Most people think of Point Defiance as the best beach in Tacoma, but I’m actually partial to Owen Beach. It’s smaller and way less crowded, and the views of Mt. Rainier are unbeatable. While you’re here, check out my favorite things to do in Tacoma and where to eat in Tacoma to see why it’s such an underrated city!
More outdoor adventures around Washington
After you explore the best Washington state beaches, check out my other guides to getting outside.
