West Sheridan Street End provides shoreline access in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood where Sheridan Street terminates at Puget Sound. While comprehensive documentation of Sheridan Street's specific etymology remains limited in readily available historical records, the street likely follows naming patterns common in Seattle's late 19th and early 20th century development when streets often honored military figures, civic leaders, or used descriptive names. Sheridan is a common street name throughout the United States honoring Civil War General Philip Henry Sheridan (1831-1888), who served as a Union general and later commanded the U.S. Army, with numerous counties, communities, and streets bearing his name from California to Wyoming. The street end sits among Magnolia's network of shoreline access points preserved under Seattle's 1996 program designating 149 street ends for public uses and enjoyment along the city's waterfronts.
Kayaking and paddleboarding launch from the beach access into Puget Sound for paddling exploration along Magnolia's western shoreline with opportunities to observe marine wildlife, navigate toward Discovery Park's beaches, and experience views of the Olympic Mountains across the strait. Beachcombing along the rocky shoreline reveals smooth stones shaped by wave action, weathered driftwood from winter storms, shells including mussels and barnacles, and beach glass in greens, browns, and occasional blues deposited by tidal action. Wildlife watching includes harbor seals resting on rocks and hunting near shore, bald eagles soaring overhead and perching in shoreline conifers, great blue herons stalking shallows, and diverse seabirds including cormorants diving for fish, pigeon guillemots, and scoters rafting offshore. Views capture the Olympic Mountains forming a dramatic western horizon with snow-capped peaks visible on clear days, shipping lanes busy with cargo vessels and container ships, Washington State Ferries crossing between Seattle and Bainbridge Island, and recreational sailboats and powerboats dotting Puget Sound's waters. The street end creates neighborhood access to the marine environment among Magnolia's bluff residences.
Magnolia dining near West Sheridan Street End offers neighborhood options. Palisade features Pacific Northwest cuisine including Dungeness crab cakes and grilled salmon with Elliott Bay and Seattle skyline views from waterfront dining rooms. Damoori Kitchen creates traditional Lebanese dishes including beef kafta pita arous with herb-flecked beef, pickled turnips, tahini, tomato, and radish near Discovery Park. Mura Asian Eatery serves 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 and herbs, and pan y chicharron slow-roasted pork belly on homemade bread. Mondello offers Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with homemade gnocchi, paper-thin pizza, and prosciutto-wrapped veal.
