Camano Island State Park - Camping

My family and I went to Camano Island State Park for an overnight camping trip on Saturday - Sunday.  The park is pretty popular.  Most of all the campgrounds are in a wooded setting.  None of them have direct access to the beach.  However the beach is very close and is in walking distance.  The camp currently is having a shortage of water.  I recommend bringing 5 gallons from home plus some for drinking.  The water tastes bad.  Expect some noise,  think of this park of a place to drink with your pals or a quick trip out of town.  If you want the feeling of getting away from it all, go some place else.  There is a large field for games and flushing toilet.  Also showers are available. At the time I visited a wood bundle was $7 and kindling was $3. Even if at the park entrance the sign says "Park Full" I recommend going and talking to the camp host.  She/he may know of a few sites that are leaving that day.  Cost of a single site is $22 with one car.
The beach it self is rocky and perfect for a picnic or kite flying and has almost no shade.  The water is calm enough to let the little ones slash and play on toys.


http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Camano%20Island

Things I like:

• Very close
• There is a beach
• Flushing Toilets
• Fire rings and tables
• You can take your dogs

Things that need improvement:

• Water supply

Golden Gardens Seattle, Wa

So picture this.  Its the 5th day of mid-winter break and your 9 year old has been inside for 4 days strait because the weather had been dismal.  So what do you do on the first dry day off of school.  You go to the beach.  It does not matter in the pacific northwest if its February or July.  North westerner will take any dry day as a sign to go to the beach!  So I have been to just about every beach in the Seattle area and north but Golden Gardens.

When I arrived there we were greeted with bracing wind and scores of mom's in puffy jackets with wool caps and coffee in there hands.  Seem to me all the other Seattle mom had the same idea as me.  At Golden Gardens there are 3 play structures and a set of strings.  One of them is the main attraction.  Its a massive dome with a web of ropes inside for all the kiddo's to climb to there heart's content.   There is a snack shack that provides Ice cream, candy, soda, chips, hot dogs, coffee and much more.  Bring cash though,  the shack does not take cards.

The beach is quite amazing.  Loads of sand with out any waves.  So all the little ones can play safely in the sand.  Fire pits and picnic structure are available for your use.  An outdoor shower and bathrooms are provided.  There is a meeting hall also for your parties to rent. There is an Off Leash area for your pooch.  Just contact Seattle Park and Rec for cost and reservation.
Check out my my pictures on Photobucket
http://s1172.photobucket.com/albums/r576/cvankeu1977/Golden%20Gardens/



Golden Gardens
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=243
Hours 6am to 11:30
8498  Seaview Pl. Nw
Seattle, Wa
Phone: 206-684-4075

Things I like:

• Ample Parking
• Coffee Available at snack shack
• New and unique play structure
• Lots of sand

Things I would like to see:

• Kids and adults stay off the freshly planted plants
• The snack shack would take cards