Bring on the Beach! Best Beaches for Families Around Puget Sound

Find it: 419 98th Ave. N.E., Bellevue

This gem of a beach reopened in spectacular fashion earlier this year, after undergoing renovations that include a curvilinear pedestrian pier, a beach house with restrooms and showers, a picnic area, a play structure and more! Meydenbauer Bay Parks’ big grassy area, play structure and pint-sized beach prove perfect for little ones looking to cool off on hot days. The view of Meyedenbauer Bay is lovely, and the serene park is a nice place for a picnic. The water is clear and relatively shallow, so toddlers are able to stand and splash around.

Good to know: There’s a relatively small parking lot halfway down the tree-lined drive to the beach, and the lot may fill up on weekends, so visitors might need to find street parking (though the 99th St. parking lot and marina entrance were improved in the recent restoration project). Shade is lacking, so be sure to bring a beach umbrella. REI also offers canoe and kayak rentals Wednesday–Sunday through Labor Day, then on weekends through September.