West Seattle

Explore

Alki Beach (2665 Alki Ave SW), one of the city’s most popular beaches along Elliott Bay, draws visitors even during the winter and spring months for its sublime views of Seattle’s downtown skyline. Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California Ave SW) offers a similar vista and is highly accessible with ample street parking and a paved sidewalk. Take a 1.7-mile hike through the old-growth forests of Schmitz Preserve Park (5551 SW Admiral Way), or stroll at your leisure through the craft vendors and farm purveyors at the year-round West Seattle Farmers Market (California Ave SW and SW Alaska St) every Sunday.

Eat and Drink

LGBTQ+-owned business Dough Joy (4310 SW Oregon St) does plant-based doughnuts in alluring flavors like churro and vanilla biscoff, while West of Chicago Pizza Company (3770 SW Alaska St) slings classic deep-dish and cracker-thin tavern pies alike, with a mean Italian beef sandwich, too. Pirate ship-themed dive bar Admiral Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way, Ste A) is known for rum cocktails, gourmet hot dogs, and boozy slushies. For a finer dining feel, Raccolto (4147 California Ave SW) serves fresh house-made pastas, and Salty’s on Alki Beach (1936 Harbor Ave SW) pairs quintessential Pacific Northwest seafood with stunning waterfront views.

Shop

From Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix to Macklemore and Brandi Carlile, clearly Seattle has a thing for music. Ask the experts for recommendations at one of the city’s most famous music shops, Easy Street Records (4559 California Ave SW). Entertain your inner child (or reward the kids) at Curious Kidstuff (4740 California Ave SW), a vast playground of puzzles, games, books, and high-quality wooden toys. Book an appointment at Filigree & Shadow (5437 California Ave SW, Ste A) to shop music-inspired water perfumes, gentle body washes, and lightly floral candles. The art is in the find at Doll Parts Collective (4832 California Ave SW), part vintage shop and part indie boutique, where you’re just as likely to snag whimsical earrings as you are a one-of-a-kind ’60s dress.