West Seattle comprises two of Seattle, Washington's thirteen districts, Delridge and Southwest and encompasses all of Seattle west of the Duwamish River. It was incorporated as an independent town in 1902 and was annexed by Seattle in 1907. Among the area's attractions are its saltwater beach parks along Elliott Bay and Puget Sound, including Alki Beach and Lincoln Park. The area is also prized for its magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east.
The highest point in Seattle is in the Gatewood neighborhood, adjacent to the aptly named High Point neighborhood of West Seattle; the intersection of 35th Avenue S.W. and S.W. Myrtle Street it is 520 feet above sea level. The hill is dominated by two huge water towers, and is also the location of Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Parish, on the peak of the highest hill in West Seattle. It is also known for the High Point Projects which were torn down in 2005 to make way for new mixed income housing
Alki Point is traditionally credited as the point where the Denny Party founded Seattle prior to moving across Elliott Bay to what is now Downtown. A similar landing at Alki has been reenacted annually since 1950 as part of the colorful, week-long Seafair celebration of Seattle's marine and boating interests. Seafair coincides with West Seattle festivities including Hi-Yu and the West Seattle Summer Fest street festival held each July. Along with its historical significance Alki is the home of the most popular beach in the Seattle area. Fittingly named Alki Beach, it offers a significant strip of sandy beach full of driftwood, seashells, and fire pits. Low tides offer West Seattlites an extraordinary opportunity to explore marine life in tidepools like no other beach in Seattle. Additionally, Alki hosts a nice and flat bike/running trail on which people see amazing views of the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, and Olympic mountains.