Lincoln Park
Seattle, WA
Lincoln Park is a 135-acre bluff park near the Fauntleroy ferry dock, its pebbly, natural shoreline running about a mile along a paved trail that's part of the Whale Trail, with views to Vashon Island and the Olympics. Colman Pool, a summer-only, 50-meter heated saltwater pool pumped straight from the Sound, sits right at the water's edge as a distinct amenity from the beach itself.
A real, well documented park with both a genuine natural shoreline and the rare bonus of a heated saltwater pool, held back only by the walk to reach either from parking.
How we score beachesColman Pool is a fifteen minute walk from the south lot, so if that's the destination rather than the natural beach, plan the extra time and comfortable shoes.
Free parking; the pool has no beach-adjacent lot, so expect a walk.
A paved shoreline trail runs the length of the park, good for strollers and wheelchairs. The beach itself is natural pebble and rock.
More Pacific Coast beaches
Zuma Beach
Malibu, CA · Pacific Coast
A wide stretch of sand backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, with reliable swells that draw surfers year-round and plenty of room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Known as Surf City USA, with a mile-long municipal pier, consistent breaks for surfers of every level, and a laid-back boardwalk scene along Pacific Coast Highway.
Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Tucked between rocky headlands, with tidepools to explore at low tide, calmer coves for swimming, and an arts-town backdrop of galleries and cafes just steps from the sand.