Sea’s the Day: A Coastal Weekend Adventure
By RICHARD PORTER FOR SEATTLE NORTHCOUNTRY
Let’s talk about remarkable beaches of Snohomish County. They may not be the tropical, palm tree type of place (Jetty Island being the notable sandy exception), but they offer so much to maritime explorers. There’s nothing like the crunchy feeling of brine in your hair after a dip into the water. The white noise of the surf washing in. The sweeping views of Hat Island, Whidbey, Camano, and the Olympics. Imagine wading far out into gently undulating emerald-green waves at, say, Howarth Park in Everett. Incredible.
Winter’s over. It’s time to thaw out. A warm weather jaunt up the coast of Snohomish County is just what the doctor (or therapist?) ordered. Here’s our itinerary for exploring and experiencing the seaside towns and cities in our corner of the Pacific Northwest.
It’s time to “sea’s the day.”
EDMONDS: CUTE AND ARTSY
Edmonds is a seaside community defined by a ferry terminal, art boutiques, and a walkable waterfront.
Marina Beach Park is a wonderful place to access the water. Bonus: it also has an off-leash dog park. For fresh flavors of the sea be sure to try MARKET Edmonds or Salt & Iron. MARKET is a more casual dining spot where you can order buttery lobster rolls, whereas Salt & Iron is a sit-down place where local oysters on ice and swanky cocktails are the order of the day.
Best bets for beverages? Salish Sea Brewing Company for adult drinks and Walnut Street Coffee for the caffeine fix or tea to go.
MUKILTEO: VIEWS AND BEACHES
Mukilteo is the southern access point to Whidbey Island via ferry — home to an iconic lighthouse and a row of seaside dining establishments.
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park is a must-visit. Beachcombing is best experienced with an ice cream in hand, so you’ll want to stop by the walk-up window at Diamond Knot Brewing for a scoop beforehand.
A lesser-known treasure, Japanese Gulch is comprised of an extensive hillside trail system.
This place is highly recommended for trail runners, mountain bikers, dog walkers, nature lovers, and hikers. Japanese Gulch also offers a popular off-leash dog park.
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EVERETT WATERFRONT: DINING AND WALKING
Post-industrial warehouses have made way for a pedestrian bridge, high-end cocktail bars, brew pubs, cafes and more in Everett—all on a walkable waterfront with views of boats in the marina and Jetty Island floating in Possession Sound.
Visiting in the a.m.? Start at South Fork Bakery, Woods Coffee, or The Muse. With energy from hot coffee and pastries, you’re ready to hit the boardwalk or Boxcar Park.
Fisherman Jack’s offers a fresh take on seafood with their dim sum-style approach and ultramodern décor, including a top-notch bar. Sound 2 Summit Brewing is the place for chilling on an outdoor beer patio—a magnet for cider enthusiasts.
The Muse is housed within the Weyerhaeuser Building. This historical structure was once the showroom for the Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company, featuring their finest moldings, wainscoting, and other lumber products. The Muse has fancied up the location into a coffee shop by day and speakeasy-style high-end cocktail bar by evening. Go early for quiet chats over an Americano with lots of natural light or pop by in the evening for a handcrafted martini that will leave you feeling like a celebrity.
The Milltown Trail is a five-mile interconnected path, mostly running parallel to the water, that is perfect for jogging, strolling, bicycling to your heart’s content—all with views of the marina, Puget Sound, islands, mountains, and the daily sunset.
UP THE COAST: NATURE IN INSPIRATIONAL GLORY
Eagles, sunsets, harbor seals, sandpipers, coastal cliffs, driftwood, madrone trees, shore pines, and seagulls aplenty. Let the relaxing nature of our coastlines wash your citified woes out to sea.
Continue up the coast to lesser-populated beaches. The northern stretches of seaside Snohomish County are an ideal place to unplug and commune with nature. We all need to hit refresh on the old mindset every so often.
You’ll find a walkable bird sanctuary at Spencer Island. This well-maintained county park serves as a preservation site for a variety of wild fowl as well as the estuary ecosystems that filter and regulate the waters at the confluence of the Snohomish River and the Salish Sea. A highly recommended lesser-known spot for ecotourists and nature lovers.
The spring months bring whale watching season. Every year, grey whales migrate from the Gulf of Mexico all the way to Alaska for calving season. Enroute they stop off in Port Susan and Possession Sound to feed on ghost shrimp at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River. Your best bets to publicly view whales from the shore are at Jetty Island or Kayak Point. (Please note that Kayak Point will be open for only part of the summer due to shoreline restoration projects. Please check out the Snohomish County Department of Natural Resources website before heading there.)
The sea is so much of who we are in Snohomish County. It’s a source of food, fun, fresh air and it’s always an aesthetic inspiration no matter the time of year. Visit and be inspired. Please enjoy the waterfront, maritime culture, locals, and wildlife responsibly so that future generations can also be inspired by this place we call home.
