No. 279 Alki Lighthouse, West Seattle

Alki Lighthouse
3211 Point Pl SW, Seattle, WA 98116
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First lit on June 1st, 1913 the Alki Lighthouse helped seamen find the southern entrance into the Seattle’s Elliot Bay replacing oil lamp signal that was previously used. It was one of 13 lighthouses on the Puget Sound.  The lighthouse had three Head Keepers from 1913 to 1970 when the last lighthouse keeper Albert G. Anderson retired. The United States Coast Guard took control of the lighthouse and dwellings in 1939 although the maintenance of the fourth-order fresnel lens was given to keepers who served either in the USCG or as civilian lighthouse keepers. 

In 1962 Alki’s fourth-order Fresnel lens was replaced with a more powerful airway beacon. There is a replica fresnel lens inside the lighthouse and the original lens is located in the USCG Museum in Seattle. USCG staff would stand 8 hour shift at Alki and turn on the beacon light 30 minutes before sunset and turn it off 30 minutes after sunrise. After 1984 the lighthouse became fully automated and the keeper dwellings were refurbished to house senior USCG Officers. The fog horn was silenced in 2005 and since 2007 the Alki Grounds is home to the USCG Commander of the 13th District. 

USCG Auxiliary provides tours of the lighthouse on weekends throughout the summer beginning in June. 

Because the lighthouse grounds are part of USCG property and the home to the Commander of the 13th District the grounds are only open to the public on weekends when the Coast Guard Auxiliary provides tours. 

You can however still get close enough to the property during low tide by walking along Alki Beach from the north or south depending on where you park your car. During high tide your best view will come from the water either from a boat or kayak. 

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No. 117 Belvedere Park, West Seattle's Overlook with stunning views

Belvedere Park
3600 Southwest Admiral Way
Seattle, WA

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This park has a stunning view across Elliott Bay to downtown Seattle, and on clear days to the Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainier. Divided into two parts on the east and west sides of Admiral Way, the east section features a totem pole depicting stylized beavers, fish and frogs.
Belvedere Viewpoint is a popular spot for scenic photos and as a backdrop for wedding and other ceremonial photos.

Belvedere Viewpoint was named after the "Belvidere District" subdivision. It comes from the Italian words for "beautiful" and "to see."
The original 25-foot totem was a gift to the city in the 1930s from E. "Daddy" Standley, owner of Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on the downtown waterfront and a booster of the viewpoint, from his collection. It was carved by Bella-Bella Indians from the Queen Charlotte Islands.
It became famous from use on postcards and telephone directories. Deemed beyond repair in 1966, its replacement was carved from a cedar log cut from Schmitz Park. Robert Fleischman and Michael Morgan, both Boeing engineers, donated some 300 hours of work carving the new totem.

Looking across Elliot Bay at Seattle Skyline and Shipping Terminal

Looking south east for the morning sunrise







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No. 74 West Seattle Shoreline

Along the Alki Trail next to Salty's Restaurant
 From Seattle take HWY 99 or South Bound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge and the Harbor Ave SW Exit. Once you pass the shipyard there are multiple parking areas to access the alki trail and view the Seattle waterfront from across Elliot Bay.
Note: There are several major road construction projects on going for years to come so there might be mandatory detour around south Seattle. Check the current road closures before you go

Weather and fog play a role in how much if any of downtown will be visible. The most dynamic views will be during sunrise or sun set so plan your excursion accordingly to the image of Seattle you want.

Morning Fog rolls through Elliot Bay

Seattle's Space Needle peaks out from the fog

Looking south towards the ship yard

Seattle Space Needle from West Seattle

Downtown Seattle with Giant Wheel

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