Seattle’s Alki Makes a Great Homebase!

Seattle vacation rentals, Darik Eaton, Sarah Vallieu, Alki, alki vacation rentals

Seattle’s Alki Neighborhood is Something Special! Plan your Seattle Vacation here now!

Dear Seattle Oasis,

I am planning my first trip to Seattle and am looking for a quintessential Seattle experience without the noise of downtown Seattle. What do you suggest?

Want to Sleep in Seattle

Dear Sleep,

We get this question frequently.  Many folks are concerned about urban noise, or would just like a little more room to spread out than most city locations will allow for.

Alki is the place for you!  And we have the perfect Alki vacation rental located just one block off the beach!

Picture a California beach town with a little less sun, but with great food, excellent people watching, views of the ferries, mountains and city, and only 15 minutes by car from the famous Seattle sights such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. In addition, you can take the bus or the water taxi from Alki right into the heart of downtown Seattle, making it very accessible. Alki is vibrant and established neighborhood with something for everyone!


For Families Visiting Seattle:

Alki Alki is a kid’s dream. There are sandy beaches with gentle waves and a view of the city, and there are rocky beaches with tidepools to explore. During the summer months, the Seattle Aquarium does beach naturalists talks during low tides. As of this writing the 2018 schedule is not yet finalized, but check out the Beach Naturalist page at the Seattle Aquarium for the schedule. Another place for the little ones to get their wiggles out is Whale Tail Park and Playground, right off the beach at 58th Avenue SW.

Wheel Fun Rentals at Alki has a variety of wheeled rentals to navigate the three miles of concrete boardwalk that stretches along Elliott Bay. Besides standard bikes, they have tandems, surreys, and beach toys to keep the kiddos happy! Alki has three miles of boardwalk to explore.

After a day on the beach, head to Homefront for cones or smoothies!

Local Tip: A seasonal extra for the kiddos is the Seafair Pirates landing on the beach on Alki, usually the first weekend of July. Arrrrrggg, matey! Their arrival kicks off Seattle’s summer festival known as Seafair.


Alki for Foodies:

There There are some great food options in this self-contained Seattle neighborhood. My go-to for a great date night is La Rustica. Try the lamb shank, or the wild boar filet! This hidden gem has a European elegance and is especially charming on a summer evening where you can take advantage of cool breezes off the Sound from the patio dining.

Maree Bistro is right across the street from the Boathouse area of Alki. They serve traditional French dishes that are locally sourced in a spot with beach views and a great ambiance. The quail is wonderful here, as is the snapper, though the menu fluctuates with the seasons.

Marination Ma Kai started as a food truck, and quickly became a local go-to. Despite the casual ambiance you will walk away from this local favorite wanting more. You literally can’t go wrong here; the Kalua Pork Sliders is how they built their claim to fame, my personal fave is the Kalbi beef tacos. The kimchee fried rice is the perfect fusion food. The fish and chips are some of the best in the city. To top it off, a postcard view of the city!

Alki Nighttime Fun:

You’ve enjoyed a day of playing tourist in the city, and have made it back to your vacation rental, but aren’t quite ready to call it a night.

Check out El Chupacabra’s punk rock themed Mexican and great margaritas. West Seattle Brewing Co. TapShack is right on Alki drive and has a great rotating selection of house beer and pretty darn good pizza. Alki Beach Pub has a great mash-up of trivia nights, live music and karaoke Sundays.


In addition to all this, Alki is where Seattle started. There are several plaques commemorating the landing of the Denny party in November 1851. A small historical society and museum operates out of a 1904 log home. There are seasonal tours of the Alki Point Lighthouse. And right up the hill, in the Junction, are even more stores and restaurants, a farmers market, a summer festival, and more, which we’ll chat about in a future blogpost.

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