Much of Point Defiance Park’s [1] wild nature remains from the early years, visible from a myriad of hiking paths (no bikes on unpaved trails) and a loop road that passes all the main sights. This loop road, Five-Mile Drive, winds through the park, offering a popular jogging, cycling, and driving route with viewpoints and picnic stops along the way. The outer loop is closed Saturday mornings (till 1 p.m.) to cars, giving joggers, cyclists, and in-line skaters free rein.
Owen Beach on Commencement Bay offers summer sun or a pleasant shoreline stroll any time of year. Rent a boat with a small motor at the Point Defiance Boathouse Marina (253/591-5325). The water off the point is popular with anglers, particularly during salmon season.
Get fishing tackle at the shop here, or stop for a meal at the popular Boathouse Grill Restaurant next door. The state ferry to Vashon Island [2] docks here as well. Point Defiance Park [1] (253/305-1000, www.tacomaparks.com [3]) is open every day from sunrise to 30 minutes past sunset.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/south-puget-sound/tacoma/sights/point-defiance-park
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/south-puget-sound/islands-and-inlets/vashon-island
[3] http://www.tacomaparks.com