Golden Gardens Park - Seattle, Washington - Park like Setting and Beachfront Location

Golden Gardens Park is a beachfront area located in the Ballard district of Seattle on the Puget Sound. The popular park offers extraordinary views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

A recent project restored two wetlands, established a short loop trail, and restored the northern beach area of the park. Golden Gardens offers strolls along a rugged coastline, hikes through forest trails, sunbathing on sandy beaches, fishing from a pier, and even a boat launch.

The park is also home to an off-leash area for dogs in the upper northern portion of the park. Visitors are encouraged to keep an eye on their dog, but feel comfortable enough to let them loose to enjoy their freedom.

The park was named after and developed by Harry W. Treat in 1907 as an area attraction at the end of the new electric car lines being built by realtors to induce townsfolk to take a Sunday outing out of town and through the woods to a picnic or swim location at a beach. The Carbine ended at Loyal Way with a steep twisting path down into the park and down to a small parking area on the east side of the railroad tracks, then by foot across the tracks to the beach. At that time the northern half of Meadow Point (named by the Coast Guard) was the site of a shipyard until 1913. To the south the beach curved in along the railroad seaway - all the way to Salmon Bay. The State owns the tidelands south of the park, with boat works and yards by the Bay.

There is a remodeled Golden Gardens Bathhouse that offers a waterfront location to host special events, like weddings or receptions. The backdrop includes a serene forested hillside to the east, and to the west, a beautiful sandy beach, sailboats on Puget Sound, and the sun setting over the Olympic Mountains, all just 14 minutes from downtown Seattle.

The historic Golden Gardens Bathhouse, located just west of the Ballard neighborhood, was built in the 1930s and renovated in 2004. Independent heating keeps the bathhouse warm in the winter, and cross ventilations keep it cool in the summer.

The Main Hall comfortably accommodates up to 140 seated guests, ad can accommodate up to 295 for a standing room only event. The Main Hall features a cathedral ceiling with many skylights that flood the room with natural light.

The Wet Classroom can be added to your rental for an additional hourly fee. Caterers often use this smaller room for food preparation. It features a refrigerator, microwave, sink, and lots of counter space. A small conference room can also be added for an additional hourly fee.

There is ample parking throughout the park including a large parking lot along the beach and park area with an overflow parking lot east of the park. Plenty of handicapped spots are available as well and access to main thoroughfares is convenient.