Magnolia

Discovery Park is a 534 acre natural area park operated by the Seattle Parks and Recreation. It is the largest city park in Seattle, and occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site. The site is one of breathtaking majesty. Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams. The role of Discovery Park is to provide an open space of quiet and tranquility away from the stress and activity of the city, a sanctuary for wildlife, as well as an outdoor classroom for people to learn about the natural world. Maintained in its semi-natural condition the park will continue to offer a biologically rich and diverse natural area for urban dwellers and an unmatched opportunity for environmental education.

Ballard is a hip waterfront neighborhood with trendy restaurants, indie shops, bars and craft breweries centered on historic Ballard Avenue. Ships and salmon pass through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, or Ballard Locks, also a popular picnic spot. The sandy beach at Golden Gardens Park draws sunbathers and volleyball players and offers mountain views. The Nordic Heritage Museum displays the area's Scandinavian roots.

Because it's on a peninsula, Magnolia has a secluded feel. Looking at the neighborhood from outside, you might think there isn't much more there than houses and a marina. Wrong! The area around McGraw Street and 34th Avenue W is a little pocket of activity, with a Walk Score rivaling that of Fremont or Greenlake. A glance at the neighborhood's blog shows that there's always something going on here, be it a farmer's market, the yearly SummerFest celebration, a free nature walk at Discovery Park, or a spur-of-the-moment community outreach event. Not to be left out is Fisherman's Terminal, located right on Salmon Bay near the 15th Street Bridge. Here, you can walk around on the docks and admire the real-life fishing boats, then stop in at the market to buy the seafood caught that very day. Though not as famous as the Pike Place Market, rumor has it that this is an even better way to experience the local fishing culture.