Golden Gardens Park — Attraction in Seattle

I love the smell of the sea in the morning. There's nothing else like it. And me, being a Navy man, could ever get tired of the peace that comes with casting all my worries aside and pretending like I have clean slate. It's a new day, and what a glorious place to start. I usually pick the bench under the leafy locust trees towards the north shore. Half an hour goes by like its another life. No arguing, no bickering, no fighting over who is right or wrong about anything, no concerns about wars of famines or anything else. Sticking my head in the sand, you might say. No, no. As I said just a moment ago, I cast all the cares and concerns of this world. I'm just one blip on the radar compared to eternity and it is nice to have this kind of serenity. And now I am 90 sober, so my outtings to Golden Gardens are that much more treasured. You should try it, too. If you should happen by early in the morning and see the large gentlemen in running shorts and a T-shirt, and white socks, that's me. Stop, and let's chat a while. I won't judge you in any way, man or woman, young or old. Let's just share this kind of ineffable peace for a while. You just might make...

Golden Gardens Park in Ballard is one of Seattle’s most enchanting urban escapes. This nearly 88‑acre gem offers sweeping Puget Sound and Olympic views, wide sandy beaches, wetlands alive with wildlife, and charming forested trails built during the 1930s. The beach is a magnet for volleyball, kiteboarding, and cozy evening fire pits (on a first‑come basis during fire season). For a change of pace, head uphill to peaceful wooded trails, take your pup to the fenced off‑leash area, or watch ducks and beavers by the marsh.

Parking can be a challenge during peak hours, so arrive early or opt for street parking nearby. The park feels safe during the day and early evening, though things quiet down after dark. Water swimmers—be warned, it’s brisk! But on a calm, sunny day, kayaking or strolling the shoreline is unbeatable. Golden Gardens is perfect for families, sunset watchers, dog lovers, and anyone wanting fresh air—and it feels quintessentially Seattle.

Tips: • Arrive early in summer to snag parking • Sunset = bring a jacket for the beach fire pits • Avoid late hours for safety and serenity • Explore both the beach and the upper trails for a...

A beloved spot for Seattleites, and rightly so. I walked here from the Ballard locks, but driving is probably easier for most visitors. I would not call this a hidden gem by any means, but it is far enough away from the chaos of downtown Seattle and other densely populated areas in the city that it does not feel as crowded as one might expect for such a scenic area, so idyllic and lovely, in a large city. The dark sand of the beach is striking and almost poignant, and from the rippling shore an observer can see the expanse of Puget Sound, will the Olympic mountains in the background looking staggering in their rough indigo majesty on a clear day. Logs of winding asymmetric driftwood are sprawled across the beach, giving it a certain primordial and untamed feeling. Being here, I am reminded of my travels in Norway: despite its high status as a sightseeing area, providing one of the best views of Puget Sound, there nonetheless remains something...