TACOMA TREKKERExplore Tacoma

Saltwater, seafood and sunset

Ruston Way Waterfront Trek

Tacoma's most photographed stretch of shoreline: a long waterfront promenade with restaurants on the water and a beach at the end of it.

Confirm hours and bookings directly with each stop before you go.

At a glance

Length
Half day
Typical cost
Free walk; restaurants vary
Getting around
mixed
Family
Easy for families; the path is wide and flat.
Accessibility
The Ruston Way path is paved and level; Owen Beach has an accessible path down to the shoreline.

The route

  1. 1

    Ruston Way Waterfront

    Start

    Late morning

    A paved shoreline path along Commencement Bay with benches, beaches and mountain views on a clear day.

    Next: The path passes directly by the waterfront restaurants.

    Directions
  2. 2

    Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern

    Lunch

    Midday

    A tavern on the water partway along Ruston Way.

    Next: Keep walking north along the path.

    Directions
  3. 3

    Duke's Seafood

    Optional stop

    Afternoon

    Seafood with windows onto the bay.

    Next: Continue north; The Lobster Shop is further along the water.

    Directions
  4. 4

    The Lobster Shop

    Dinner option

    Evening

    A waterfront dining room at the north end of the strip.

    Next: Owen Beach is a short drive up into Point Defiance Park.

    Directions
  5. 5

    Owen Beach

    Finish

    Sunset

    A wide saltwater beach inside Point Defiance Park, facing the bay.

    Next: Silver Cloud is back south along the waterfront if you are staying over.

    Directions
  6. 6

    Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma – Waterfront

    Stay

    Overnight

    A waterfront hotel on Ruston Way, if you want to end the day where you started.

    Directions

Notes

Ruston Way runs along Commencement Bay with a paved path the whole way, benches, and views across to the Cascades on a clear day. Walk as much of it as you like, then pick a table on the water — Katie Downs, Duke's Seafood and The Lobster Shop are all on this stretch. Finish north at Owen Beach inside Point Defiance Park, where the shoreline opens up. Parking is spread across several small lots along the road; the middle of the day fills up fastest in summer.

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