Kirkland Waterfront – Marina Park to Juanita Beach SUP Route

The Kirkland waterfront stretches along the east shore of north Lake Washington, from the downtown Marina Park north to Juanita Beach — about 3 miles of accessible shoreline with better parking than most Seattle-side launches and west-facing views toward the skyline and Olympics that get serious attention from photographers. The east shore is also on the leeward side of westerly afternoon winds, which means calmer water than the Seattle side when the breeze is running.

Marina Park — Downtown Kirkland

The hub of the Kirkland waterfront. The park sits at the foot of downtown Kirkland with beach access, a small dock, and waterfront restaurants a block away. One of the more pleasant urban launch points in the region.

Address: 25 Lake Shore Plaza, Kirkland, WA 98033

📍 Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking: City parking lots adjacent to the waterfront — metered, pay by app or meter. The lot on Lake St S fills on summer weekends but the city garage a block inland adds significant capacity. Weekday mornings are easy.

Juanita Beach Park

Three miles north of Marina Park, Juanita Beach is a larger park with a sandy beach and lifeguards in summer. The north end of the park has the best SUP launch access. The bay here is relatively sheltered and good for beginners.

Address: 9703 NE 116th St, Kirkland, WA 98034

📍 Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking: Free lot in the park. Can fill on summer weekends — arrive before 10 AM.

The Marina Park to Juanita Route

The 3-mile paddle from Marina Park to Juanita follows the east shore north. The route passes the O.O. Denny Park shoreline (wooded, relatively undeveloped) and several residential coves. On clear days the view west across the lake takes in Capitol Hill, the downtown Seattle skyline, and on exceptional days the Olympics behind the city.

This is a good out-and-back route: sheltered from westerly wind by the shore, interesting scenery, easy bail-out points if conditions change. Plan 2-3 hours round trip at a moderate pace.

Practical Notes

• Wind advantage: The east shore sits in the lee of westerly afternoon winds — often noticeably calmer than Magnuson or Matthews Beach on windy afternoons
• Views: Face west from the water for Seattle skyline and Olympic Mountain backdrop — best on clear mornings when the sun is behind you
• Combining with coffee: Kirkland’s downtown waterfront has multiple coffee shops within a block of Marina Park — easy pre-paddle fuel
• Best for: All skill levels at Marina Park and Juanita; the inter-park route is good for intermediate paddlers wanting a goal-oriented out-and-back