Tacoma’s two-mile waterfront trail, dotted with pocket parks, connects directly to Point Defiance Park’s five-mile trail through old-growth forest, creating a continuous, seven-mile, woods-to-waterfront trail right in the heart of the city.
Start on Tacoma’s paved and picturesque Ruston Way waterfront trail at Hamilton Park, overlooking the Salish Sea. As you walk or bicycle north, you’ll pass small beaches, tiny parks, the historic ruins of mills, and photogenic fishing piers as well as top-notch seafood restaurants built right out over the water.
Continue north until you reach Point Ruston, Tacoma’s newest shopping, dining, recreation, and entertainment area. Enjoy a snack, a craft beer, or some ice cream from Tacoma’s own Ice Cream Social before heading on.
From there, you’ll connect to Point Defiance Park and it’s 760 acres that includes six distinct species’ gardens, old-growth forest, a zoo and aquarium, a high school, and, most importantly for this walk, Owen Beach. As the waterfront trail becomes a marina and then a promenade, Owen Beach will be straight ahead.
From there, you’ll have the option to turn around, or to continue and connect to the park’s Five-Mile Drive, a wide, paved, well-marked loop road that’s closed to traffic during the current crisis (and throughout the year on weekend mornings), so you’ll be able to keep your distance while safely walking, jogging, or bicycling.
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