Owen Beach- Unexpected Treasures in Point Defiance Park, Tacoma
by Hollyc3 on 05/27/08 at 7:10 pm
Owen Beach is a beautiful little stretch of beach, providing a little oasis from the big city. If you want to take a stroll on the beach, search for seashells and other little treasures or just play in the sand, Owens beach offers that and more.
If your idea of relaxing is to breath some salty sea air, read a book, do a little photography, or whatever your liking,I would highly recommend visiting this little stretch of coastline. Located in the midst of Point Defiance Park this area can provides a multitude of activities.
When I first was introduced to this little beach, it literally took my breath away. There is only one road that takes you down to the beach. It’s on top of a hill and as you begin to descend, the trees begin to clear and provide little windows of the shore below.
There are bathrooms, paved sidewalks that run parallel to certain stretches of the beach, picnic tables, and a nice grassy knoll if you want to play Frisbee. This beach is often the host to various outdoor events particularly in the summer months such as sea kayaking, scuba diving, and more.
When I went I arrived I expected a quiet, uneventful afternoon. However, I was pleasantly interrupted by the surrounding wildlife. In that particular trip, two sea otters popped up about one hundred yards away from me. A fox and a deer also made an appearance that day but nothing prepared me for what was about to happen next.
As my eyes were admiring the scenery all of a sudden I saw a huge spray come from the calm water just a couple hundred yards away from me. I hear someone shout, “Whale!”. I waited and a few moments later I saw and heared the whale surface again. A few other beach visitors and I continued to watch this humpback whale feed and surface. It was probably for only 10 or 15 minutes but it seemed as if time stood still. This was by far the most amazing experience of my life. I have seen whales in captivity before but it was nothing compared to seeing and experiencing this in real life. It is a memory that I will treasure forever.
Directions/Other:
Address: 5400 N. Pearl St. Tacoma, WA (mapquest.com works great) or call 253-305-1010 for more information
Owen Beach Kayak Rentals
Noon - 7pm daily (if weather permits)
paddle, pfd (personal floatation device/life jacket) and float cushion included
Visa/MC/Discover/Novus accepted
For more info call: Ruston Recreation Rentals, 5102 N. Winnifred St. Ruston, WA 98407
253-759-8151
Restrooms are open 10:00am to dusk all year long
To reserve the group picnic shelter please call, (253) 305-1010
We live in Tacoma and this is one of our favorite parks (we have several that we enjoy). We like to load up our kids’ bikes and let them bike on ahead of us while we walk, pushing the youngest in his buggy. We end our walk at the playground and let the kids play. Or we’ll enjoy tag or tossing a ball around on the grass. If everyone has the energy when it is time to go home, we take the long way back to the car via the trail rather than just straight back to the car. It is a lovely park.
We are very active in getting out and about and enjoy the many events and places there are to visit in the area. There’s lots to do. Now if we could just get the crime rate down.
Thank you for providing the address and phone info (and great description) for Owen Beach on your webpage. Our Native Canoes have ceremonial landing at Owen Beach each year. (This year it’s July 16 and 17, 2008.) I manage an info-site (TribalJourneys.com) for the huge annual Native Canoe Journeys of the Pacific NW USA and Canada and was lacking a good directions or address to provide on our site. Your webpage has been very helpful. And, we’re glad to know your appreciation of this very beautiful beach area.
~Sue