Redondo Beach earns applause

A sound pierces the salt air as the sun slips behind the Olympic Mountains with finality.

The crowd gathered at Redondo Beach has spontaneously broken into applause for the sight they just witnessed.

Such was the case on one visit to the Des Moines, Wash. park, and what you see there is often worthy of adulation.

It sits on Poverty Bay off of Puget Sound, almost encircled by the city of Federal Way to the east, west and south.

Des Moines gained incorporation of this strip of land after residents voted Federal Way down.

Redondo Beach Drive courses through the scene, separating the two parking lots, condominiums and multi floored beach houses from the beach front and boardwalk.

Tiny boats typically sail off the shore after setting off from the launch and dock nestled next to a fishing pier and Salty's restaurant at the northeast end of the boardwalk.

A small beach sits on the other side of Salty's with a sidewalk and sea wall behind it.

The boardwalk, and the beach below it, is a healthy 1.1 miles in length with the boardwalk suitable for any skill level.

High tide covers the beach, confining walkers to the boardwalk, while lower tides expose the sand and rocks and allow for sauntering and beach combing.

Pier and boat fishing is open per Marine Area 11 regulations, with anglers age 14 and over required to have a valid Washington license.

The sunsets are free and readily visible from all areas of Redondo Beach.

How to get there:

Go west on South 272nd Street off Interstate 5, Pacific Highway South or 16th Avenue (right southbound and left northbound) until the road starts to wind down the hill. Stick with it until it becomes Redondo Beach Drive.

From Federal Way and the south, go north on First Avenue (left eastbound and right westbound off Dash Point Road, South 312th Street or South 320th Street) and remain on it until it also becomes Redondo Beach Drive coming from the opposite direction.

A third option is to turn at the 16th Avenue South light off Dash Point road near Sacajawea Park (left eastbound and right westbound).  The road descends immediately and winds down a canyon to join Redondo Beach Drive near Salty's and the parking lots.

For more information on Redondo Beach call (206) 824-5700.

Text and photos by Tim Clinton.