West Raye Street End provides shoreline access in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood along Puget Sound, located within the Carleton Park area extending from West Raye Street to the sound between 32nd and 45th Avenues West. Carleton Park was platted in 1915 by real estate promoter Arthur Phinney, who named the development for his father Guy Carleton Phinney. While the specific etymology of Raye Street itself remains unclear in available historical records, the street runs through this early 20th-century Magnolia subdivision. Perkins Lane West is home to six shoreline street ends at West Bertona, Dravus, Barrett, Armour, Raye, and McGraw Streets, with Raye Street experiencing a notable landslide on March 22, 1925, evidenced by tilting utility poles. Seattle's shoreline street end program preserves these public rights-of-way for water access despite surrounding residential development.
Kayaking and paddleboarding launch from the street end into Puget Sound for exploration along Magnolia's western shoreline with opportunities to paddle toward Discovery Park, observe passing ferries, and experience views of the Olympic Mountains across the strait. Beachcombing along the rocky beach reveals smooth stones polished by waves, driftwood from winter storms, shells including mussels and barnacles, and occasional beach glass in various colors. Wildlife watching includes harbor seals hauling out on rocky areas and hunting near shore, bald eagles perching in shoreline conifers and soaring on thermal currents, great blue herons stalking tidal shallows, and diverse seabirds including cormorants, pigeon guillemots, and scoters. Views capture the Olympic Mountains' snow-capped peaks forming the western horizon, shipping lanes with cargo vessels and container ships, Washington State Ferries crossing between Seattle and Bainbridge Island, and recreational sailboats and powerboats dotting Puget Sound. The street end's protected designation ensures continued public access to this Magnolia waterfront location.
Magnolia dining offers neighborhood options near Carleton Park and Discovery Park. Palisade features Pacific Northwest cuisine including Dungeness crab cakes and grilled salmon with Elliott Bay and Seattle skyline views from the waterfront dining room. Damoori Kitchen serves traditional Lebanese dishes including beef kafta pita arous with herb-flecked beef, pickled turnips, tahini, tomato, and radish near Discovery Park on Government Way. Mura Asian Eatery creates homestyle Korean and Japanese dishes including chicken karaage, beef bulgogi, katsu, spicy tofu stew, yakisoba, and fried rice. Pink Salt specializes in Peruvian fare including ceviche, Cordero lamb shank roasted with vegetables, potatoes, and herbs, and pan y chicharron featuring slow-roasted pork belly on homemade bread. Mondello offers Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with homemade gnocchi, paper-thin pizza, and prosciutto-wrapped veal.
