West Seattle collage: Shutterstock / Seattle Met composite. West Seattle shirt and model: Sam Witt with LostFoundDesign / courtesy Alair
When the West Seattle Bridge cracked in early 2020, a small but vociferous portion of the city’s mainland population typed told-you-so messages to residents of West Seattle, a group now resigned to lengthy, meandering commutes. (See! That’s why you don’t live across the water!) It’s easy to understand why keyboard warriors would be quick to seize on this unfortunate development: West Seattle inspires more than a bit of envy. Though it’s home to various idyllic enclaves, the neighborhood’s most visible area—Alki Beach and adjacent streets—teems with Rollerbladers and yogis reveling in Insta-worthy views of the Sound and city skyline, a blissful alternative to the shadows and stresses of downtown. Natives can also dine at the peninsula’s acclaimed restaurants or drop in to local shops that draw heavily from the city’s creative soul. It’s no wonder why so many make the trip every summer and, unlike Arthur Denny and company back in 1851, stick around for good.
The Best Restaurants in West Seattle
Buzzy newcomers, marvelous classics, tons of pizza—this part of town eats absurdly well.
The Last Time the West Seattle Bridge Closed Was Even Stranger
Forty-two years ago the man piloting the freighter Chavez smashed the vessel into the span connecting the city to its western half. Then he disappeared.
Where to Shop in West Seattle
Brush off the sand and browse these stores stocked with tie-dye, plants, and handmade accessories.
A Life Extruded: Mike Easton and the Alki Homestead’s Path to Il Nido
When the chef reshaped his career he couldn't have known he'd share his destiny with a century-old log cabin and dining icon rising from literal ashes.
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