Casey Gackle, 22, of Tacoma, Wash., pops a front 180 shove with a two hand grab at Locust Beach in Bellingham, Wash., on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. Locust has great beach access, especially during low tides, enabling skimboarding and walks out into the bay. // Photo by Alex Moreno By Alex Moreno Hot, sunny days in Bellingham are a rarity so making the most of them is important. Bellingham has a plethora of parks and public open spaces to enjoy sunny days with a variety of amenities from beach access and waterfalls to trails and various sport facilities. Choosing between the numerous locations can be overwhelming at times. Using the map of parks, trails and natural areas around town is a great way to seek out new locations to explore and to be sure to experience all that the city has to offer. This map can be found on the City of Bellingham’s website, here. Located near Fairhaven, Boulevard Park is a popular location because of its close proximity to town coupled with waterfront access, walking trails and amenities. Boulevard usually has a full parking lot serving people walking the piers, slacklining, relaxing in the grass field and enjoying the beach views. Details on Boulevard Park can be found here. Larrabee State Park provides hiking, beach views and plenty of spots to soak up the sun. Larrabee, created in 1915, is Washington’s first state park. Located along the scenic Chuckanut Drive, it feels like a far getaway to rewarding views and wildlife while only about a 15 minute drive from downtown. More information on Larrabee can be found here. Samish Overlook and Oyster Dome are hiking trails near town on Chuckanut Drive to views overlooking the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands. Locust Beach, located in the Birchwood neighborhood, is a prime beach location for low tides with the ability to walk far out into the ocean while still in shallow waters. This beach requires a small hike down a trail and staircase to access the beach, but is well worth the short hike and about a 15 minute drive from downtown. The WWU Lakewood Boathouse at Lake Whatcom provides a number of ways to enjoy the sun from kayaking to lounging on the grass. For details on watercraft rentals and hours of operation visit their website here. Every sunny day in Bellingham has the opportunity to turn into a new adventure, especially with the variety of parks sprinkled throughout the town.
