History
West Seattle was first settled by the Denny Party on Alki Beach in the 1850’s, but was sparsely populated until the 1870’s, when industry took hold along Elliot Bay, causing more definite communities to arise. West Seattle’s “Alki Point” is named after the the Chinook Jargon word “Alki”, which means “by and by”.
Description
The main commercial district in West Seattle is situated at the top of the hill, at the intersection of SW Alaska St. and California Ave. SW. Known locally as “The Junction”, the area is brimming with shops and cafes. Another commercial sector is situated near the intersection of SW Alaska St. and Fauntleroy Way SW, just east of this area.
The Admiral neighborhood is situated in the north part of West Seattle and is one of the more affluent neighborhoods in the area. This neighborhood boasts a number of interesting shops and dining establishments. The historic Admiral Theater, built over 100 years ago, is the predominant landmark of this area, and as well as showing movies, hosts special events, performers, and special events as well.
West Seattle’s prized-possession, Alki, is one of Seattle’s favorite summer hot spots. It is an area situated along the north and west sides of the peninsula and features a long, breezy beach with smooth sands that can feel like a tropical resort on sunny days. Believe it or not, wetsuit-clad swimmers can be seen submerging daily into the Sound’s waters off of Alki Point year-round, no matter the temperature or weather, and are easily identifiable by their bright orange buoys floating behind them. The views of Downtown Seattle and the Olympic Mountains are spectacular on clear days. Just behind the beach is Alki’s boardwalk, which is packed with restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Along the southwest slope, Fauntleroy is a private residential area that offers its residents unmatched views of the Puget Sound, Vashon Island, and the Olympic Mountains and Peninsula.
Delridge, the industrial area adjacent to West Seattle, has great proximity to shopping, restaurants, and community transport, while being much less than the central areas of West Seattle.