Neighborhoods in West Seattle

West Seattle is a magical part of the city, made up of neighborhoods each with its own unique charm and character. West Seattle has been our home for some time now and we are still discovering new things every day. Whether it's a great coffee shop, a different local business, or a new spot to take the kids, there's always something interesting around every corner. The neighborhoods of West Seattle offer something for everyone. If you're looking to live in a quieter part of town, or if your idea of paradise is somewhere vibrant with walkability, West Seattle has something for everyone. Check out our guide to West Seattle Neighborhoods below.

The History of West Seattle 

West Seattle is the oldest and biggest neighborhood in Seattle. After the indigenous Duwamish tribe, Denny Party was the first to settle in West Seattle at Alki Beach in 1851. The city remained lightly populated with industry beginning to develop along the Elliot Bay side of the waterfront by the late 1870s. In the 1880s and 1890s, the West Seattle Land & Investment Company developed what is now the Admiral District as a residential community. In 1904, residents in West Seattle voted to borrow $18k to build the first municipally run railway system in the country. Fast forward to 2022, West Seattle is now home to more than 80,000 residents.

Alki

Let’s start with the first neighborhood in West Seattle that Denny Party first settled in, Alki, which just so happens to be the most western point of West Seattle. If you’re looking for a beachy area of West Seattle, this is it. Along with the beach comes a laid-back vibe that characterizes West Seattle. The Alki neighborhood is a popular spot for swimming (if you don’t mind sub-68 degree waters), sunbathing, and fire pit picnics in the summer and offers stunning views of the city skyline and the Olympic Mountains. Did we mention you can also see seals? If you’re really lucky you might spot a whale in the distance. Year-round, Alki is a great place to go for a walk or run along the beach or the Alki Trail. This 2.1-mile path runs from Alki Point to Duwamish Head and offers beautiful views of the water and skyline.

Alki is also home to a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, and a few small shops. If you're looking for something to do, the Alki Beach Walk is a great place to start.

Highlights: 

• Alki Beach

• Alki Kayak Tours - Try kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing here

• Wheel Fun Rentals -  A great summer activity with a variety of bike rental options available. 

• Constellation Park - Due south of Alki Point Lighthouse is a less-trafficked beach area that’s great to explore or launch your SUP or Kayak from. 

Fun Fact: Did you know that Alki is Chinook for “by and by”? It also happens to be Washington’s unofficial motto.

North Admiral

North Admiral is set on a hill and offers some of the best views of downtown, Elliott Bay, and the mountains surrounding Seattle. North Admiral has great walkability to nearby shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants along California Ave and its nearby streets. One of the few remaining old-growth forests in Seattle, Schmitz Park sits within North Admiral and is adjacent to the Alki neighborhood. Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz donated 30 acres of the park to the city in 1908, more than 20+ acres have since been purchased since now totaling 53-acres.  

Highlights: 

• Metropolitan Market West Seattle 

• Mioposto Pizzeria - we can’t get enough of this place

• Hamilton Viewpoint Park

Fun Fact: North Admiral is the oldest neighborhood in West Seattle. 

Genesee

It’s a great place for families and for those looking for a neighborhood feel while still being close enough to the central business districts of West Seattle. On California Ave, closest to Genesee, you’ll find lots of locally-owned shops to check out and support. 

Highlights: 

• Ercolini Park
• Olympia Coffee Roasting
• Welcome Road Winery

Fun Fact: Ercolini is a park staple if you have kids, it’s filled with toys! People drop them off for kids in the community to play with and enjoy. So in addition to the great playground that’s there, there are lots for kids to do.

Seaview

Any guesses on why it’s called Seaview? It’s primarily a residential neighborhood that shares its border with the Puget Sound, so as you can guess, that’s how it got its name. We love that it’s very quiet and just a quick walk to the Alaska and Morgan Junctions so that you can get to your favorite restaurants in no time. Getting downtown is also just a quick 7-mile drive (when the bridge is up and running). A lot of the houses here have a gorgeous view of the mountains. It really could be West Seattle’s best-kept secret if we’re talking sunset views. 

Highlights: 

• Box Bar
• C&P Coffee Company
• The Bridge - the best place to watch sports in West Seattle

Fun Fact: Seaview is home to our favorite local bookstore, Paper Boat Booksellers.

Fairmount Park

The Fairmount Park neighborhood is a historic residential neighborhood located in the more central part of West Seattle. It’s a great place to live as it offers a mix of both residential and commercial atmospheres and is easily accessible from the West Seattle Bridge. There are plenty of restaurants and shops, and it's a good option if you want to be close to everything.

Highlights: 

• Fairmont Playground - your kids will beg you to go here
• Epic Seattle skyline views
• Grillbird - take out only, mostly gluten-free, eco-materials

Fun Fact: Fairmount has a walk score of 94, it’s the perfect place to ditch your car and get some steps in.

Delridge

Delridge is a diverse neighborhood located in the southwestern part of West Seattle, right along the Duwamish River. While it’s mostly residential, it's also home to a variety of businesses, including restaurants, cafes, shops, and services. The Delridge Community Center is also located here, and it offers a wide range of community programs and activities for residents of all ages for arts and crafts, sports, and more.

Highlights: 

• Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center - they have events for the public for educational purposes, which are great for learning more about the history of Seattle Washington’s aboriginal Duwamish Tribe
• Delridge is home to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, an inclusive contemporary multi-arts hub that incubates the arts, artists, and organizations from our multicultural, intergenerational communities to engage in civic dialogue and meaningful community transformation. 

Fun Fact: Youngstown is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Gatewood

We love Gatewood for its quiet, residential feel but just like other neighborhoods in West Seattle, you’re not too far from busier streets for shopping and restaurants in Morgan Junction. Our favorite part of Gatewood is the Myrtle Reservoir Park. It's great for catching city views on a clear day, taking the kids or dogs on a walk in the summer, or for watching the sunset. 

Highlights: 

• Myrtle Reservoir Park - amazing views of the Puget Sound
• Locol Barley & Vine - they have live music every Wednesday evening 
• Lowman Beach Park - is a great place to explore the shoreline. 

Fun Fact: The highest hill in Seattle is in Gatewood.

Fauntleroy

Fauntleroy is in the southwest of West Seattle, on Fauntleroy Cove on the Puget Sound. From here, you can take the Washington State Ferries to Vashon Island and Southworth. On a clear day, you can take advantage of the views of the Olympic Mountains or take a walk in one of the many parks in the neighborhood. 

Highlights: 

Fauntleroy Park - a great neighborhood park with lots of trails

Lincoln Park - perfect for a beach walk, hike, or BBQ

Endolyne Joe's - a great local restaurant with a rotating menu

Fun Fact: This neighborhood (and the creek and the park) was named after Ellinor Fauntleroy, who was the fiancee of Lieutenant George Davidson of the U.S. Coast Survey.

Highland Park

Highland Park is a quieter and less central neighborhood in West Seattle. It has more of a suburban feel as there are a few restaurants, but the main highlight is all the gorgeous parks in the neighborhood. They offer plenty of space for relaxing, walking, and getting outside. 

Highlights: 

• Westcrest Park - dog-friendly and panoramic views of the city - what more could you want?
• Highland Park Playground
• Addy’s Pet Shop

Fun Fact: There’s access to two major highways from this neighborhood, so you’re never too far from where you need to go.

Arbor Heights

Arbor Heights is a quieter residential neighborhood located in the southernmost point of West Seattle. On its southern border is the Puget Sound, so residents there enjoy beautiful water views. There are several parks in Arbor Heights, including Seola Greenbelt Seattle Parks And Recreation. It’s a great place to live if you’re looking for a more residential vibe but still looking to get the most out of being near a city. 

• Highlights: 

  • Seola Greenbelt Seattle
  • Kickdown Cafe - we had the most amazing iced coffee here
  • Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club - a private swim and tennis club that’s been around since 1962
  
  

  Fun Fact: Arbor Heights has a walk score of 38 so it’s a very car-dependent neighborhood.

Each neighborhood in West Seattle has its own charm and offers both residents and visitors unique experiences - whether you’re looking for views, shopping, a great coffee, or a good trail, there is definitely the perfect neighborhood for you. We couldn’t have picked a better place to live for our family. We’re discovering a new restaurant, new trail, or new activity each day. 

Have we missed anything? Connect with us and let’s chat about all things West Seattle.