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”Elliott Bay in Seattle, WA
San Diego has a new doppelganger! Elliott Bay in Seattle, WA, is the “other” bay that San Diegans have been looking for. There are many similarities between these two elite coastal cities. They both exhibit a charming and vibrant lifestyle that seems to be thriving with culture and style. Whether you’re from California or Washington, it’s hard not to feel at home in either of these fantastic bayside communities.
Elliott Bay is Seattle’s best-kept secret. It has an urban beach feel to it, and it offers a lot of activities for all types of people (or animals). There are great places for dogs to swim in the water or sit on the sand while their owners relax under umbrellas. You can also watch boat races at the marina. There are plenty of happy hour locations for you to grab a drink and watch the sunset over the bay or take your boat out on one of Seattle’s many waterways.
Seattle has a ton to offer in the summer, but Elliott Bay is an escape from all of that. It’s located on Puget Sound, which separates Seattle from the Olympic Peninsula. There are plenty of things to do in Elliott Bay, but you don’t have to leave your car if you don’t want to. Just make sure you get there early enough if you plan on parking in the summertime!
History and Facts of Elliott Bay
According to the history of Elliott Bay in Seattle, WA, this body of water was named after Edgar K. “Doc” Maynard. He was a prominent judge and physician in Washington Territory during the late 19th century.
It is believed that Doc Maynard had been one of the first people to name it as such; however, there is no written evidence available today which would confirm his claims. With these facts in mind, many historians believe that even though he may have coined its current name, someone else had given it its original moniker back when Fort Steilacoom still stood on Alki Point (which dates back to 1849). There are also multiple theories swirling around about how exactly did Elliott Bay get its name; some of which include:
One such theory suggests that the bay was named after William Rufus Elliott. He coincidentally enough had been a U.S. Army officer in charge of Fort Steilacoom back when it still stood on Alki Point during the mid-1800s. Another theory is centered around an early explorer and trader by the name of Henry A. Smith whose ship “The Eagle” would visit Puget Sound frequently in 1852 and 1853 while he was busy working for Cowlitz Farm Association (which also happened to be one of Elliott Bay’s first settlers). Furthermore, some people believe that this body of water could have been named after Chief Sealth or, more famously known as Seattle, the Duwamish Head Chief who allowed for white settlement in this region when he sold it to Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens back in 1855.
There is no consensus among historians regarding how exactly Elliott Bay got its name; however, it has come up that in January around 1853, there was a meeting between Chief Seattle and Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens, which took place onboard The Eagle. As legend would have it, when this very same ship returned to Puget Sound after four months at sea (which happened to coincide with an eclipse), Smith referred to the body of water as “Smith’s Sea.”
Knowing all these facts about Elliott Bay makes visiting this destination even more fun since you will be able to make sense of what lies before your eyes if you ever see another location by the same name – whether or not it is in San Diego, CA, or Seattle, WA.
Facts about the Elliott Bay
The name derives from Doc Maynard, a prominent judge, and physician during Washington Territory’s late 19th century. However, there are no written records to confirm his claims, so many historians believe someone else had given this body of water its original moniker when Fort Steilacoom still stood on Alki Point (which dates back to 1849). There are also theories surrounding how exactly did Elliott Bay get its name, but there is no consensus among historians; one such theory suggests that William Rufus Elliot or Henry A Smith could have been the one to name it.
There are also theories surrounding how exactly did Elliott Bay get its name, but there is no consensus among historians; one such theory suggests that William Rufus Elliot or Henry A Smith could have been the one to name it. The history of Elliott Bay makes visiting this destination fun since you will learn more about the namesake if you ever see another location by the same name, whether or not it is in San Diego, CA, or Seattle, WA. Visitors can enjoy various activities, including boating and kayaking, while learning about local wildlife, including sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and orcas!
Activities and Events in Elliott Bay
Elliott Bay is an ideal spot for a walk, jog, or bike ride along the dock. There are also many events on this bay: fireworks, concerts and more. The water views from some parts of downtown make it feel like you’re at an oceanside resort without having to leave your city. It’s great to enjoy some sun rays with your family and friends outside on the grassy areas of this bay. There are also benches that you can sit at while enjoying views of boats passing by. There are many types of different vessels. The area is excellent for taking pictures or going on a photo shoot.
The views of the Seattle skyline are stunning from Elliott Bay. They recommend visitors to walk along the bay and enjoy what it has to offer while crossing over at least one bridge that will take you across the water – there are five in total, so keep walking until you find one that appeals to your style.
Once done with exploring this side, head back onto land and check out Pike Place Market, another popular tourist destination. The water views from downtown make it feel like you’re at an oceanside resort.
Elliott Bay is great for a walk, jog, or bike ride along the dock. It’s also excellent for sunbathing with family and friends in grassy areas. Some benches allow visitors to sit while enjoying boat viewings. Visitors can enjoy various activities, including boating and kayaking, while learning about local wildlife, including sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and orcas!
Locations of Elliott Bay
Similarities of Elliott Bay in Seattle and the harbor at Point Loma include: both are located on a peninsula with water on three sides; each has a large commercial port facility, ships from cruise lines docking there daily, and public docks. In addition to these similarities, they also have differences, such as the depth of the channel leading into each bay which is deeper for Elliott Bay along Puget Sound than it is for our bay. The land surrounding them differs too since downtown Seattle sits just across a narrow body of water called Lake Washington. In contrast, we sit adjacent to an airport constructed on a landfill dredged out during the construction of Harbor Island over seventy years ago. When you look down either one, it’s hard not to be amazed by the number of ships passing through these harbors daily.
How to get there:
By car:
Drive to First Avenue between Marion Street and University Street.
Take a right turn on Alaskan Way (SR 99), the waterfront street leading toward downtown Seattle. The drive will be about 15 minutes long.
By bus:
From Westlake Center, take Route 19 or Route 40 northbound up Fourth Avenue. Get off the bus at Pioneer Square Station (ST Express, Link Light Rail, and Amtrak). Exit by following signs for Alaskan Way S (westbound) toward Columbia Street. Continue to First Avenue South. The walk will be about 15 minutes long.
By Ferry:
From Pier 52 on Elliott Bay, take the Seattle-Bainbridge Island ferry. The ride will be about 30 minutes long.
You can take several different routes to get onto Alaskan Way S (SR 99), including Columbia St or Yesler Way, which leads straight into Elliott Bay’s main street, where all of the shops and attractions are located, along with many hotels.
Coordinate: 47.603°N 122.373°W
Surface area: 21 km2 (8.1 sq mi)
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