Seward Park Swimming Beach
Seattle, WA
Seward Park's swimming beach sits on the shallow bay side of the park's peninsula on Lake Washington, water that runs warmer than most open-lake spots in the city. It's one of Seattle's nine official lifeguarded beaches in season, wrapped in a much larger park with an old growth forest loop trail and scattered art installations.
Genuinely warmer and shallower than most Lake Washington beaches, a real amenity in a large, well loved park.
How we score beachesLifeguard staffing has seen shortages in past years, so confirm current-season hours before counting on a guarded swim, especially early or late in the season.
Lifeguards are typically on duty late June through early September.
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.