Seeking: rentable swimming pools, secret beaches, and a waterfall
+ the case for a "boring" summer
Happy Summer Solstice! As you know, today marks the official start of summer, so I have a few fun recs to kick off the season below. Many Seattleites try to stuff as much as they can into summer (I get it), but having big plans and getaways every weekend stresses me OUT. I like to plan 1-2 things for each month and then let the rest unfold naturally, even though my anxious mind always feels like it should be planning more.
For my people who also wish to let their summer slowly unfold, you might enjoy this newsletter that a friend sent me the other day:
However you like to spend your summers, I hope to provide you with the inspiration and ideas you’re looking for ☀️
Especially since this will be our first Seeking Seattle summer together! Is there anything you want to try, find, or do this summer? Let me know in the comments so I can include it in future letters ⬇️
*This post is a little long, so don’t forget to expand if it gets cut off in your email!
💎 Local gems
Ben’s Bread | Phinney Ridge
Yesterday I met up with last week’s Seattle Snapshot Zoe Kahn IRL to try the pastries at Ben’s Bread! Since it was Juneteenth there was a long line, which I imagine is even longer on weekends — definitely recommend going with a friend so you can chat while you wait. We got the savory and sweet brioche danishes to share ($7.50) and they were SO good. It looks like they change up the flavors often, but if they have an asparagus pesto or blackberry Meyer lemon — you’re in good hands. They have two small indoor seats and then outdoor tables in the sun as well as a shaded courtyard patio that they share with Doe Bay Winery next door.
Cherry Creek Falls | Duvall
If you need an easy hike this weekend that is less than an hour from the city, I recommend Cherry Creek Falls. It’s 5 miles RT and relatively flat with an elevation gain of only 450 feet. You’ll still work up a sweat, but you can cool off in the falls after. It’s pretty shallow, so you could get away with just wading if you don’t want to wear/bring a swimsuit. This is a popular hike (especially with families) and the street parking fills up quickly, but we went at 2 pm on a Sunday and were able to find a spot and enjoy the trail without it being too crowded. FYI: There are no toilets at the trailhead!
The Hangar Cafe | Georgetown
On a nice day, nothing beats The Hangar Cafe for breakfast or lunch. The inside is cozy, but the back patio is like a secret garden with options to sit in the sun or covered by shade. They have a bucket of blankets for chillier mornings as well.
The only drawbacks are that the service was pretty slow, so I wouldn’t recommend eating here if you’re starving or in a rush, and it’s a little expensive (my crepe was $17.95). Would be good for a slow, indulgent morning. Crepes are kind of their thing, but my friend got a breakfast burrito and said it was good as well.
Shoreline Street Ends | Various locations
Did you know that any street end that ends at the shore is designated for public access? This means that there are many hidden beaches, coves, and swimming spots all over the city and this map can help you locate them. It’s not the most descriptive, so you might need to do a little research beforehand or just go explore, but it can at least get you started. The ones I usually go to are on Lake Washington Boulevard, but I need to scope out some new spots because last summer many of them had just turned into wet dog parks 😑
Fremont Fair + Solstice Parade | Fremont
My favorite festival of the year is this weekend! I love how this brings the city together and running into all my friends while bopping around. There’s tons to do, but I recommend catching the Solstice Parade if you can. It’s more than just naked bikers (although that’s fun too)! It looks like they changed the route, so it ends IN the fair near the art cars (another fave of mine) instead of at Gasworks Park. If you miss the parade, there’s also a dog parade (lol) on Sunday.
👀 On my radar
Resort Pass | Various locations
On a nice day a few weeks ago I was googling “hotel day passes” so I could find a pool to lounge at (like the Four Seasons 😭) and came across this site that acts as a day pass marketplace for participating hotels. I don’t think the options they currently have are very good, but I’m hopeful they’ll add more. Although… I don’t think Seattle has a ton of hotel pool options to begin with. This would also be a cool site to use if you had a redeye flight to another city and needed somewhere to sleep for a bit. I’ll keep an eye on it!
Swimply | Various locations
Continuing in our pool search, this is another platform I discovered last summer which is like an Airbnb for pools (and also now pickleball courts!). Again, pools are somewhat rare in Seattle so there aren’t a ton of options, but definitely more than Resort Pass. I like this one in Capitol Hill ($50/hr) for a chill small group hang and this stunning one in White Center ($99/hr) for more of a pool party.
Wayland Mill | Wallingford
Seattle Met broke the story that a new project is coming to Wallingford from Yasuaki Saito — owner of Saint Bread, Post Alley Pizza, Tivoli Pizzeria, and the now-closed London Plane. I haven’t been to Tivoli yet, but I’m a big fan of the others so I’m looking forward to this opening (currently slated for fall). If you’ve been to Saint Bread, you might have noticed the Japanese influences — the food at Wayland Mill will lean further into that to serve what Saito described as “Americana food applied with Japanese ingredients and Japanese sensibilities.”
Poke in the Eye Exhibit at the SAM | Downtown
I don’t often get excited about what’s coming to the SAM, but my curiosity is piqued by their newest exhibit on the art of the West Coast counterculture. It looks punchy and fun! I recommend checking it out at the next free first Thursday (it’s on July 4th, but would be fun to go in the morning before festivities start up).
📆 This weekend’s events
Rooftop Yoga @ Monkey Loft | Thursday, 6/20 | SODO | $35
Chicano Batman | Thursday, 6/20 | Belltown | $29.50
Iron & Wine | Thursday, 6/20 | Downtown | $35
Vampire Weekend | Thursday, 6/20 | Uptown | $29.50+
Ronny Chieng | Friday, 6/21 | Downtown | $39.50-79.50
Capitol Hill Pride March and Rally | Saturday, 6/22 | Capitol Hill | Free
Bandit Theater Presents: Mad Science | Saturday, 6/22 | Fremont | $15-22.50
Summer Bonsai Solstice | Saturday, 6/22 | Federal Way | $12 suggested donation
Queer Prom | Saturday, 6/22 | Belltown | $35
Fremont Solstice Celebration @ Nectar | Saturday, 6/22 | Fremont | Free
1st Annual Georgetown Pride | Saturday, 6/22 | Georgetown | Free
HEAVEN with Denim (Canada's Drag Race) | Saturday, 6/22 | Capitol Hill | $15-23
Summer Mead Festival | Sunday, 6/23 | Capitol Hill | $30
Occidental Square Trading Post | Sunday, 6/23 | Pioneer Square | Free
Multi-day:
Cutie Fest | 6/22 - 6/23 | Downtown | Free
Fremont Fair | 6/22 - 6/23 | Fremont | Free
What’s next:
7/5 | Bagel purveyor Loxsmith is hosting a Night Market in Beacon Hill with vendors, music, and food + drink specials. About time someone brought a night market to the hill!
10/22 | Mdou Moctar is coming to town this fall — his music is a mix of modern rock, contemporary Saharan, and Tuareg guitar music and it’s so rad.
🚨 ICYMI
Seattle Theater Group released the lineup for their 2024/25 performing arts series (Pink Martini on NYE is the most exciting to me!). Seattle Arts & Lectures also announced their 2024/25 season (with guests like Malcolm Gladwell, C Pam Zhang, & Natasha Lyonne). Seattle’s “short but sweet” strawberry season is here. Musang is back! Cafe Racer is closing, but planning a reinvention. Scarecrow Video is in danger of closing.
🧰️ Seattle Toolkit
A few of my favorite resources to stay tuned in to what’s happening around the city:
Everout - Events & things to do
SEAToday - Daily Seattle newsletter
The Nudge Seattle - Text-based event planner
The Intentionalist - Discover + support local small businesses
Your turn!
What are you seeking this week? What do you already have planned? Share it with us in the comments ⬇️
I can personally vouch for that White Center pool. The view is incredible.
We love walking to the 130th St Beach. It was recently (maybe 6 years ago?) "saved" from the neighbors on each side. A perfect little rest break along the Burke-Gillman if you're doing a long trek!
Thanks for posting the STG schedule. I'm hoping to see Dance Theatre of Harlem in March. I've seen some of zoe | juniper's work before, so I may also try to see that show in May.