Counting the waves…
Counting the waves…
Richmond Beach hides in plain sight between Edmonds and Shoreline, a neighborhood strand where the Burlington Northern tracks run so close you can smell diesel exhaust mingling with kelp. The beach spreads wide at low tide, revealing barnacle-crusted rocks and tide pools studded with purple sea stars, while high tide pushes you back against the driftwood barrier where locals perch with thermoses and dogs. The staircase deposits you onto a crescent of sand and gravel bookended by sandstone bluffs that crumble a little more each winter. Ferries slide across the water toward Kingston, their wakes arriving minutes later to slap the shore. In January, you might spot harbor seals bobbing offshore; in July, families claim the logs for picnic tables while great blue herons stalk the shallows with samurai patience. This is not a beach for swimming—the water stays in the fifties year-round, and the drop-off is abrupt. Instead, you come for the walking, the beachcombing, the way the Olympics turn lavender at dusk. A small saltwater park crowns the bluff above, with picnic tables facing west and a playground where children's voices carry down through the alders. The beach feels lived-in rather than curated, a place where the city's edge meets the Sound without apology.
Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Richmond Beach.
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Richmond Beach is generally not ideal for swimming. The water at this Puget Sound beach is cold year-round (typically 45-55°F), and there are no lifeguards on duty. The beach features a rocky shoreline with driftwood, making water entry challenging. Strong currents and occasional jellyfish are also concerns. Most visitors come for beachcombing, tide pooling, and scenic walks rather than swimming. If you do enter the water, wear water shoes and stay close to shore during calm conditions.
Richmond Beach is accessible year-round, with each season offering unique experiences. Summer (June-September) brings the warmest weather and spectacular sunsets over Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Low tides, best checked via local tide tables, reveal excellent tide pooling opportunities. Winter offers dramatic storm-watching and fewer crowds. Visit during weekday mornings for the most solitude. The beach faces northwest, making late afternoon and early evening ideal for photography and sunset viewing throughout the year.
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park has a free parking lot accessed from 20th Avenue NW in Edmonds (196th Street SW and NW 196th Street area). The lot accommodates about 30-40 vehicles and fills quickly on sunny weekends and summer afternoons. Arrive early or on weekdays for easier parking. Street parking is available on nearby residential streets, but be mindful of posted restrictions. From the parking area, a trail descends through wooded ravine to the beach below, involving stairs and moderate terrain.
Richmond Beach has minimal on-site amenities—just restrooms and picnic tables at the park. The beach itself is undeveloped. For restaurants and services, head to downtown Edmonds (about 2 miles south), which offers numerous cafes, seafood restaurants, and breweries along Main Street and the waterfront. Nearby shopping centers along Highway 99 provide groceries and fast food. There are no lodging options directly at Richmond Beach; visitors typically stay in Edmonds, Shoreline, or Seattle, all within 15 minutes' drive.
Richmond Beach's rocky intertidal zone becomes a fascinating tide pooling destination at low tide. You'll find sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, barnacles, and small fish in the pools among the rocks and boulders. The exposed beach also reveals abundant driftwood, agates, and beach glass for collectors. Check tide tables before visiting—minus tides are best for exploring. The shoreline stretches for about a mile, connecting to adjacent Point Wells. Bring water shoes and be prepared to scramble over uneven, slippery rocks.
