See a different side to The Emerald City in West Seattle
West Seattle might officially be part of the Seattle metro area, but the folk here like to do things a tad differently. With their own peninsula, a long history of pioneer settlers, sandy beachfronts around the Alki head, the bustling brew bars and pubs of the Junction, and a welcoming small-town feel, there's certainly plenty to like. What's more, West Seattle vacation rentals often come with lower price tags than their counterparts in the Downtown, not to mention sweeping views of Elliot Bay, access to private coves, or sprawling gardens for the kids to play in.
Get busy in West Seattle
West Seattle's proximity to the ocean means you might not even have to hop aboard a boat to spot orcas and whale pods floundering the swells _ just hit the so-called Whale Trail lookouts with the binoculars in tow. After that, you can enjoy long seaside strolls and beachcombing sessions, or launch water taxi excursions to the heart of The Emerald City across Elliot Bay. And there's off-beat pursuits too _ Asian cooking classes, morning yoga sessions, bicycle tours _ the list goes on.
Watery winters and pleasant summers in West Seattle
Seattle isn't called the Rain City for nothing. Winters in this corner of the Pacific Northwest are some of the wettest in all of America, which means November, December, and January aren't the best times of year for organizing those boating trips across the Puget Sound. Much better is to search for West Seattle vacation rentals in the middle of summer and in fall, any time after June and before the end of September. That's when the rainfall subsides and daytime temperatures sit pleasantly up around 60.
West Seattle spills into the Puget Sound
West Seattle sprawls out on the last headland of The Emerald City before the waters of the great Puget Sound take over. Peppered with whale pods and sea lions, they are a great place to come in search of rare Pacific wildlife. Beaches line the district, too, with the Alki Beach Park being the most popular _ think powdery golden sands and lapping waves. West Seattle is also one of the most convenient bases for exploring the wild and untrodden Olympic National Park, where the creaking Blue Glacier carves through the summits, Douglass-fir forests cascade down the peaks, and elk hide in the valleys.