Fairmount Avenue Southwest Street End provides hand-carry beach access in West Seattle where Fairmount Avenue descends through a steep-sided canyon connecting the blufftop neighborhood with Harbor Avenue and Elliott Bay far below. The Fairmount name traces back to a Seattle realtor familiar with Philadelphia who named the West Seattle area after Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, with the Seattle Planning Commission officially adopting the name in 1954. This street end descends through what was historically known as Fairmount Gulch, a narrow secluded route that experienced deadly landslides in 1921, with much of the surrounding hillside now city-owned land near where Salty's on Alki restaurant operates today.
Kayaking launches from the beach access into Elliott Bay for paddling exploration along West Seattle's waterfront with views of downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island ferries, and the Olympic Mountains across Puget Sound. Paddleboarders navigate protected waters near the shoreline while hand-carry designation accommodates kayaks, canoes, and small watercraft for urban waterfront adventures. Beachcombing along the rocky and sandy shoreline reveals driftwood, beach glass, shells, and smooth stones deposited by tides and currents. Wildlife watching includes harbor seals hunting near shore, great blue herons stalking shallows, cormorants diving for fish, and bald eagles soaring overhead. Views capture the Seattle skyline rising above Elliott Bay, cargo ships navigating shipping lanes, Washington State Ferries crossing to Bainbridge Island, and recreational sailboats dotting the water. The steep gulch setting creates a secluded atmosphere despite the urban waterfront location, with the dramatic descent from bluff to beach providing unique topography.
West Seattle and Harbor Avenue waterfront dining offers diverse options near Fairmount Avenue Southwest. Salty's on Alki Beach features award-winning Pacific Northwest seafood, seasonal preparations, stunning Elliott Bay and Seattle skyline panoramas, and waterfront location with every table offering water views. Marination Ma Kai serves Hawaiian-Korean fusion including Kalua Pork Sliders, Kimchi Fried Rice, Korean Tacos, and shave ice from an outdoor patio overlooking Alki Beach. Duke's Seafood West Seattle offers sustainably caught halibut and salmon, chowder, fish and chips, oysters, and casual waterfront atmosphere. Jak's Grill West Seattle creates aged Nebraska steaks, fresh local seafood, their award-winning half-pound burger, and neighborhood steakhouse dining. Shadowland serves creative cocktails, Pacific Northwest cuisine, local ingredients, and romantic ambiance with water-view seating.
