Matthews Beach Park

Matthews Beach Park is a swimming beach on the northwest shore of Lake Washington in northeast Seattle, Washington, at 5100 NE 93rd Street near Sand Point Way NE. Unlike Seattle's saltwater beaches on Puget Sound, this is a freshwater lake beach, with generally calmer, clearer, and somewhat warmer water in July and August. The shoreline is a mix of grass, a narrow strip of sand and gravel, and a swim area that slopes gradually into the lake, which suits families with children. The beach is open and gently curved rather than a deep cove, and it is sheltered from ocean swell, so there is no surf, only light wind-driven ripples. The mood is relaxed and neighborhood-oriented, with local families, cyclists, and walkers rather than party crowds. Amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, grassy lawns for sunbathing, and seasonal lifeguards, who are generally on duty only in the peak summer weeks, so visitors should check the Seattle Parks and Recreation page for current dates and hours before relying on them. Swimming outside lifeguard hours is at the swimmer's own risk, and the lake can occasionally carry water-quality advisories, which the city posts on site. The Burke-Gilman Trail, a paved multi-use path, runs right past the park, making it a convenient stop for cyclists on the longer ride between Seattle and the Eastside suburbs. Nearby Thornton Creek enters Lake Washington in the area and adds a green, wooded setting. Metro buses run along Sand Point Way NE, from which the park is a short walk, and small parking lots fill early on hot days. There are few restaurants directly beside the beach, so visitors typically bring a picnic or detour to cafes in the surrounding Matthews Beach and Lake City neighborhoods. Because the beach sits well away from downtown, it tends to be calmer than Alki or Green Lake, and weekday visits are especially quiet.