Continent |
North America |
Country |
Washington (USA) |
Next Big City |
Seattle |
Next Town |
Richmond Beach |
|
Type: |
Ocean |
Rider Ability: |
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert |
Features: |
Shower, Toilet, Parking |
Water
Type: |
Flat, Chop, Small wave |
Hazards: |
Currents |
Quality: |
Clean |
Best Tide: |
No information |
Puget Sound, mostly flat with tidal variation and chop and swell in higher winds.
Beach
Type: |
No information |
Size: |
Medium |
Hazards: |
Rocks |
Beach Users: |
No information |
Sand with logs and other obstacles. Be aware that the beach is a combination of sand and barnacle encrusted rocks on low tides. Kite have been popped here. There is a lot of beach to work with and one of the main advantages for beginners is the lack of people compared to Golden Gardens. There are restrooms for changing and a gate that locks you in or out at sunset.
Weather
Spring:
|
Normal |
Summer:
|
Shorty, Normal |
Fall:
|
Normal |
Winter:
|
Thick |
Water in the low 50s°F, wetsuit always required.
Wind
Best Months: |
May, June, July, August, September |
Wind Type: |
Frontal |
Best Direction: |
S, SSW, SW |
Main Direction: |
No information |
Southwest wind in mid 10-20s. Frontally driven winds any time of the year but mostly summer when it is warm enough to go. This can be a good spot on Southerlies and Southwestern.
How to get there
Transport |
Car |
Access
|
Short walk |
Tacoma Airport. From I-5 take the 175th exit. Head west to Hwy 99 and north on 99 to 185th. Head west (left) on 185th (thru 7 stop lights), this becomes Richmond Beach road. Follow Richmond Beach Rd all the way to the bottom of the hill until you come to the second flashing 4-way stop. You'll see a Washington Parks sign pointing left to Richmond Beach.
Extra information
Limited launch with lots of potential hazards. Avoid launching from the far north end of the park, especially at high tide as the railroad tracks are way too close to the narrow beach. A good landing spot for downwinders from sites to the north.
Nightlife