Olympic Beach sits at Olympic Beach Park in Edmonds in Snohomish County at the corner of Dayton Street and Admiral Way along the city's extensive waterfront. The beach takes its name from the Olympic Mountains visible across Puget Sound to the west, creating spectacular views from the waterfront walkway and beach areas. Olympic Beach Park offers a charming waterfront destination blending urban and natural beauty with a large pier, sea-themed public art sculptures both small and large along the walkway, and a sand beach below a cement bulkhead. Edmonds developed as a Puget Sound community with ferry connections to Kingston, creating a waterfront city with maritime character and comprehensive beach access including Olympic Beach as one of four beach parks designated as marine sanctuaries protecting coastal ecosystems.
Walking along the beach and waterfront walkway provides the primary activity with numerous benches along the route and pier allowing visitors to sit and watch the Edmonds-Kingston ferry crossing Puget Sound, observe maritime activity, and enjoy views across the water to the Olympic Mountains. Birdwatching ranks as the best activity among Edmonds beach parks at Olympic Beach because of the pier where a wide variety of species can be seen, especially in winter and during migration periods when diverse waterfowl, shorebirds, and seabirds utilize the area. Wildlife watching includes harbor seals occasionally visible in nearshore waters, bald eagles soaring overhead, great blue herons stalking tideline areas, and abundant seabirds including cormorants, gulls, scoters, mergansers, and loons feeding in productive Puget Sound waters. Beachcombing along the sand beach below the bulkhead reveals smooth stones, driftwood, shells, and beach glass deposited by tidal action. Picnicking utilizes tables available near the entrance to the pier and on the lawn areas adjacent to the beach. Views capture the Olympic Mountains rising dramatically across Puget Sound creating spectacular backdrop particularly during sunset hours, with the Edmonds-Kingston ferry visible crossing between the two communities throughout the day. The sea-themed public art sculptures create visual interest and photo opportunities along the waterfront walkway. Restrooms are located in a small brick building at the plaza providing facilities for beach visitors. Low-tide exploration programs led by Washington State University Extension offer educational opportunities to discover marine life in intertidal zones during minus tides.
Edmonds waterfront dining offers excellent seafood restaurants near Olympic Beach and throughout the city. Anthony's HomePort Edmonds serves fresh locally sourced seafood including salmon, halibut, and crab for dinner, happy hour, or casual lunch at Beach Cafe with family-friendly atmosphere and outdoor seating. Arnies Restaurant Edmonds provides consistently delicious seafood with stunning water views and warm service, featuring Pacific Northwest items like calamari and oysters. Salt and Iron in downtown Edmonds features fresh oysters sourced from Taylor Shellfish farms, premium steaks, and extensive seafood options near the Kingston Ferry. MARKET Seafood Eatery prepares best fish and chips, chowder, lobster rolls, crab rolls, and fresh local seafood. The Hook Seafood Broiler celebrates over a decade of success with BBQ short ribs, Northwest salmon, and clam linguini in generous portions.
