Summer (July and August) is warm enough for the beach and reliably busy — this is when most Seattleites make the trip and accommodation fills up on weekends. Expect crowds at the razor clam beaches and at any festival events. Spring and early fall offer quieter conditions, pleasant temperatures, and better shorebird watching.
Razor clamming season is the draw from October through April, with specific dig dates announced by Washington Fish and Wildlife. The nights can be cold and the weather unpredictable, but a good clam dig is a memorable experience even in the rain. Winter storms produce dramatic surf and the beach is essentially empty except for die-hard beachcombers.