Moving to Seattle? What is Matthews Beach Like?

Matthews Beach is a quietly elegant enclave tucked along the western shore of Lake Washington in northeast Seattle, roughly eight miles from downtown and only about two miles from the University of Washington. The crown jewel is the 22‑acre Matthews Beach Park with Seattle’s largest freshwater swimming beach, a seasonal dive raft, shady Douglas fir knoll, and adjacency to the Burke‑Gilman Trail for seamless bike or walk access. In the public realm residents enjoy picnic pavilions, playgrounds, lifeguarded swimming, walking trails, and a hand‑carry boat launch. Private amenities are more understated yet refined: gracious waterfront homes with panoramic lake and Cascade views, architect‑designed new builds and thoughtfully restored mid‑century houses, and direct access to quiet lanes and lush landscaping. For buyers who prize both sophisticated comfort and immersive access to water, forest and trail, Matthews Beach delivers with unfussy confidence.