{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3707,"slug":"howarth-park-beach-everett","name":"Howarth Park Beach","country":"USA","state":"Washington","city":"Everett","coords":{"lat":47.9494,"lng":-122.2753},"beachType":null,"tags":["famous"],"article":{"hero":"Howarth Park Beach sits at the wooded tip of a 28-acre peninsula, far removed from the industrial cranes and mill smoke that define most of Everett's waterfront. You arrive through stands of old-growth conifers, their bark still damp from overnight mist, then emerge onto a protected cove where smooth stones click underfoot and barnacle-encrusted rocks form shallow pools at low tide. The Olympic Mountains rise purple and serrated to the west; freighters glide silently toward the Strait of Juan de Fuca.\n\nFamilies claim picnic tables beneath the maples while kids scour tide pools for purple shore crabs and ochre sea stars. The water stays bracingly cold year-round—mid-fifties even in August—but wading is gentle, the slope gradual, the waves mere ripples. Driftwood forts sprout along the high-tide line, rebuilt by successive generations of children who treat the silvered logs like building blocks.\n\nWhat draws locals back isn't drama but dependability: the same heron fishing the shallows each morning, the same bench overlooking the marina, the same quiet removed from highway noise. You won't find surf shops or beach bars. Instead, there's a playground tucked in the trees, restrooms that actually have soap, and enough space that even on sunny Saturdays you can find an unclaimed stretch of shore where the only sound is the soft rattle of stones pulled seaward by retreating waves.","teaser":"You descend through towering firs to find a pebbled crescent rimmed by bleached driftwood, the scent of saltwater mixing with Douglas fir. Children crouch over tide pools while sailboats tack across the bay, Mount Baker's white bulk floating on the eastern horizon.","uniqueAngle":"It's the only public beach in Everett where old-growth forest meets protected saltwater, offering true coastal quiet within city limits.","accessType":"Drive-up with short path","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"hike","title":"Loop the Peninsula","subtitle":"Forested trail hugs the shoreline"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Tide Pool Hunting","subtitle":"Low tide reveals starfish colonies"},{"icon":"kayak","title":"Paddle Port Gardner","subtitle":"Launch from protected cove waters"},{"icon":"food","title":"Shelter Picnics","subtitle":"Covered tables among the maples"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Port Gardner Bay offers zero surf—it's a sheltered inlet where fetch is measured in miles, not oceans, and swells die long before reaching Howarth's pebbled shore. You'll see standup paddleboarders gliding glassy water and the occasional windsurfer when northerlies funnel down the sound, but wave riders should head west to the Strait or north to Deception Pass. The only breaks here are coffee breaks at the picnic tables, watching freighters carve flat wakes across the bay.","couples":"Claim the bench at the peninsula's northernmost tip as the sun drops behind the Olympics, painting Port Gardner Bay in shades of copper and slate. The forested loop trail offers hand-in-hand walking beneath Douglas firs, emerging at viewpoints where you can watch sailboats return to the marina. Pack wine and charcuterie for the covered picnic shelters—no one checks—or drive ten minutes to downtown Everett for brewpubs and Vietnamese pho. Lodging skews toward chain hotels along the interstate, but the Inn at Port Gardner delivers boutique charm in a renovated 1920s building.","backpacker":"The beach itself is free and parking costs nothing, making Howarth your best bet for saltwater access without ferry fares. Dalton Pass Community Transit runs from downtown Everett ($2.50), though schedules thin after 7 p.m. No camping allowed, but hostels don't exist this far north—your cheapest sleep is a tent at nearby Kayak Point State Park ($12 walk-in sites, 20 minutes north). Fill up on $8 bánh mì at Pho Vietnam downtown or grab day-old pastries at Narrative Coffee before heading to the beach.","local":"Arrive before 8 a.m. on weekends to have the tide pools entirely to yourself, great blue herons still working the shallows undisturbed. The small beach east of the boat launch—past the playground, where the trail briefly hugs the shore—sees a fraction of the main beach traffic and offers better views of the Cascades. Winter storms deposit the best driftwood between November and February; locals claim prime logs early for summerfort-building. Low tide at dawn remains the open secret for uninterrupted shoreline meditation.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Howarth Park Beach on Puget Sound is generally safe for wading and playing, but swimming conditions require caution. The water is cold year-round (50-55°F), and there are no lifeguards on duty. The beach features calm, shallow waters ideal for young children to splash and explore tide pools. However, always supervise children closely due to cold temperatures, occasional currents, and changing tides. The sandy beach area is well-maintained and family-friendly, making it better suited for beach play, picnicking, and exploring rather than extended swimming.","q":"Is Howarth Park Beach safe for swimming with kids?"},{"a":"Howarth Park Beach is accessible year-round, but summer months (June-September) offer the most pleasant conditions with temperatures between 65-75°F and minimal rainfall. July and August provide the warmest, driest weather ideal for beach activities and picnicking. Spring and fall can be beautiful with fewer crowds, though expect cooler temperatures and occasional rain. Winter visits are possible but bring rain gear and dress warmly. Low tide times are best for exploring tide pools and discovering marine life. Check local tide tables before your visit to maximize beach access.","q":"What's the best time to visit Howarth Park Beach?"},{"a":"Howarth Park Beach offers free parking in a lot adjacent to the beach and park area. The parking lot is easily accessible from East Marine View Drive in Everett. Spaces are generally available, though weekends and sunny summer days can fill up quickly, especially during peak afternoon hours. The beach is about 30 miles north of Seattle, approximately 35-45 minutes via I-5 North. Public transportation options to this beach are limited, so driving is recommended. The lot provides convenient access with a short walk to the beach area.","q":"Is there parking available at Howarth Park Beach?"},{"a":"Howarth Park Beach features public restrooms and extensive picnic facilities, making it well-suited for family outings. The park includes numerous picnic tables, some covered shelters, grassy areas, and BBQ grills available on a first-come basis. There's a playground for children near the beach area. However, there are no food vendors or concessions on-site, so bring your own meals and snacks. The nearby Evergreen Way corridor (about 2 miles east) offers various restaurants and grocery stores. No overnight lodging exists at the park itself.","q":"Are there bathrooms and picnic areas at Howarth Park Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, one unique feature of Howarth Park Beach is its proximity to Paine Field (Snohomish County Airport), where Boeing manufactures aircraft. Visitors can sometimes watch planes, including large Boeing aircraft during test flights, flying overhead or in the distance. While not guaranteed during every visit, aviation enthusiasts and families often enjoy this unexpected bonus. The beach also offers views across Puget Sound toward the Olympic Mountains on clear days. This combination of beach access, mountain views, and potential aircraft sightings makes it distinctive among Pacific Northwest beaches.","q":"Can you see planes landing at Paine Field from Howarth Park Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Howarth Park Beach: Everett's Family Waterfront Sanctuary","description":"Sheltered shoreline where kids wade through calm Puget Sound shallows while Mount Baker glimmers on the horizon. Picnic tables, playgrounds, and gentle tides await.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48181919381_d2ee3e94d8_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"546870","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48181919381_d2ee3e94d8_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48181919381_d2ee3e94d8.jpg","alt":"Howarth Park"},{"id":"546871","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48181984622_a607c2ee45_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48181984622_a607c2ee45.jpg","alt":"Howarth Park"},{"id":"546872","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2677/4310925126_2e76af9917_c.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2677/4310925126_2e76af9917.jpg","alt":"Howarth Park Sunset"},{"id":"546873","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7158/6595231803_d003850ac5_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7158/6595231803_d003850ac5.jpg","alt":"IMG_2552"},{"id":"546874","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7154/6595228977_037fdac309_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7154/6595228977_037fdac309.jpg","alt":"IMG_2544"},{"id":"546875","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7151/6595231571_65ce8504dd_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7151/6595231571_65ce8504dd.jpg","alt":"IMG_2551"},{"id":"546876","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7007/6595231189_0856bbb16c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7007/6595231189_0856bbb16c.jpg","alt":"IMG_2550"},{"id":"546877","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7144/6595230795_b8ce326844_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7144/6595230795_b8ce326844.jpg","alt":"IMG_2549"},{"id":"546878","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7026/6595228431_ff8723f32d_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7026/6595228431_ff8723f32d.jpg","alt":"IMG_2542"},{"id":"546879","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7017/6595229747_b7f8a90baa_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7017/6595229747_b7f8a90baa.jpg","alt":"IMG_2546"}]}}