Go outside! That’s it. Moment of exuberant bossiness over. And here’s a bit of help with that directive.
As lifelong Pacific Northwesterners, we’ve learned to stick around in July and August when the summer truly sets in. It takes halfway through July before the rain jacket is left behind, the tucked-in undershirt comes off, and sock-free sandals have their day. By August layers are about sunscreen, not waterproof clothing. That peak of summertime is now, and we’re doing our best to enjoy it in small, closet-to-home ways like eating meals in the back yard, walking to the beach, riding the ferry, and choosing restaurants with patios for dining in the sun (well, often the shade, but in the fresh air nevertheless).
If you’re looking for ways to get outside in and around Tacoma this summer, take a look at our list of local beaches (plus some favorites a bit farther afield), our Tacoma neighborhood guide to patio dining, and a few opportunities for volunteering in the great outdoors. Even if you don’t get away for a vacation, you can find some ease and fun nearby in these treasured weeks of summer near the Salish Sea.
Maybe we’ll see you out there!
Tis the season to be a beacH Bum
You don't have to be rich, belong to a club, own waterfront, have a friend who owns waterfront, take a vacation, or pay any money at all to spend time at the beach if you live in Tacoma. Here's what you need to do: get on the bus, your bike, your feet, your scooter, or into the car and go to the public beach of your choice.
Head to Titlow Beach for views of the Narrows Bridges, and especially keep it in mind for sunset! (Hint: Keep heading north and you’ll eventually find a “secret” little sandy beach below the old site of the Tacoma Outboard Association.)
Beaches Close to Home:
In celebration of the reopening of Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park, we’ll list that beauty of a spot first. Last time we rode the Chetzemoka ferry from Point Defiance to Vashon Island we had a cheering view of colorful towels and beach toys on the shore as people set up for an afternoon of saltwater wading and sunbathing at Owen Beach. For a long rocky beach with Narrows Bridge Views and the train tracks for company, head to Titlow on the West Side. For a series of mini beaches along a paved pathway with lots of restaurants close by, you'll want to meander Ruston Way where you'll find a sandy beach at Jack Hyde Park, as well as a nice little stretch of shore at Dickman Mill Park.
Follow trails through the woods at Penrose Point State Park to reach this spit between the lagoon and Mayo Cove. Continue around the point to the eastern shore for views across Carr Inlet to Mount Rainier.
If you cross the bridge to the Gig Harbor side, you’ll find Narrows Park, with 1,315 feet of waterfront. It looks back across The Narrows at Titlow, is a little more out-of-the-way, has some sand, and is a nice spot to take kids; just don’t forget the bridge toll when you return.
Point Robinson on Maury Island offers views SE to Poverty Bay, SW to Dash Point, and north along the East Passage. And the old red-roofed lighthouse is pretty scenic too.
Beaches Farther Afield:
Head to Fort Worden for a sandy beach with driftwood, sea glass, and views of Mount Baker, Whidbey Island, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Visit the Point Wilson Lighthouse and follow the curve around the point to another long stretch of beach beyond.
Take a look at this map of State Parks in the Seattle/Tacoma region. In Tacoma we live on the shores of the Salish Sea, so waterfront parks with beaches and trails abound. Camp, picnic, take a trail, take a kayak, take the day.
Tip: Buy a Discover Pass for the year. It's only $35 annually (otherwise $11.50 per day). These are required for vehicle access to our Washington State Parks.
Here's our short list of some beloved parks in our area with their distance from Tacoma noted to help you plan:
Dash Point - 20 minutes, 12 miles, Federal Way
Saltwater - 24 minutes, 18 miles, Des Moines
The Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve (aka Bella Bella Beach) - 28 minutes, 16.4 miles, Fox Island
Kopachuck - 30 minutes, 18 miles, Gig Harbor
Penrose Point - 45 minutes, 32 miles, Key Peninsula
Joemma Beach - 45 minutes, 34 miles, Key Peninsula
Point Robinson - 1 hour (plus ferry wait time), 18.6 miles, Maury Island
Dosewallips - 1.5 hours, 85 miles, Brinnon
Fort Worden - 1.5 hours, 80 miles, Port Townsend
Go to the beach! Get salty. Bring a reusable water bottle. Pack a snack and pack out your trash.
The Garden of Eatin’ at The Antique is just a short walk from the Rose Garden at Point Defiance. Have a snack, then smell the roses.
Pickled veggies, crusty toast, pimento cheese and tasty cocktails on the patio at en Rama downtown.
Eat Outside! Tacoma Outdoor Dining Neighborhood Guide
Because of our significant rainy season (fall, winter, spring, early summer) we don't have as many big patios here as you might find in cities with drier climates, but when the sunny days arrive, the patio chairs come out, the umbrellas open, and the tables fill up. Here's a list of cafes, restaurants, and bars where you can find some open air seating. These range from full patios with plenty of tables, to a few tables on a deck or along a sidewalk. Call ahead if you’re curious!
Downtown
En Rama
The Patio at Alma
Matador
Wooden City
McMenamins Elks Temple
E9 Brewing Co.
Camp Colvos Brewing & Pizza Co.
Sig Brewing Company
Corina Bakery
Stadium
The food at ALMA whether you’re on the patio or in the cafe always tastes as good as it looks!
Hanks Bar & Pizza
Shake, Shake, Shake
Parkway Tavern
Poquitos Tacoma (took over the Rhein Haus building)
Le Sel Bistro
Hilltop
Dock Street
Ruston Way Waterfront
Been thinking about this shrimp and rice, dish at The Church Cantina on South Tacoma Way ever since this day. Go eat it!
The Ram
Duke's Chowder House
Katie Downs Tavern & Eatery
Harbor Lights
Anthony's (Point Defiance)
Point Ruston
Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar
Wildfin American Grill
(Real) Ruston
The Antique Sandwich Co.
Macaluso’s Italian Restaurant
Cole’s Bar & Grill
Proctor
Bring your own food or order a bowl of the snack mix, but just be sure to go out to enjoy the view from Narrows Brewing.
Crudo & Cotto
Rosewood Cafe
Cactus
Brewers Row
Cooks Tavern
6th Ave
Asado - (a few cocktail tables outside with a roll-up door that opens up the interior too)
State Street Beer
Beer Star (food trucks come to visit or bring your own grub)
Tacoma Pie
West Side Waterfront
Tots, onion rings and slushies outside in the yard at Dusty’s Hideaway on McKinley Hill; it’s a date!
Boathouse 19
Narrows Brewing (no food served, but you can bring your own!)
The Beach Tavern
West Tacoma
Fircrest
Espress-O-Yourself Neighborhood Coffee House & Deli
South Tacoma Way
The Church Cantina
The Mule Tavern
McKinley Hill
Image from Oscar’s Enemies/Peter Sowell
Volunteering Outdoors in August
Forterra: Land for Good Volunteer Days
Tools, gloves, and instruction are provided, but group size is limited, so be sure to register for these work parties!
Saturday, August 6th
9 am - 12 pm
Work to restore the Fern Hill open area in Tacoma’s South End. Get at those blackberries and weeds! Register here.
Saturday, August 13th
9 am - 12 pm
Work to restore the Garry oak prairie habitat of Trafton Slope in South Tacoma. Register here.
Oscar’s Enemies Litter Pick-up Day
Saturday, August 20th
9 - 11 am
Oscar’s Enemies is meeting up for a Nalley Valley neighborhood litter pick-up and you are invited! Register here, bring a litter-grabber and Oscar’s enemies will provide the rest (gloves, bags, organization, prizes). Don’t worry if you can’t make it this time, Oscar’s Enemies meets monthly!
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