[pluto]

For the curmudgeon's discussion of the legal issues surrounding public access to beaches, read Harvey Manning's Walks and Hikes on the Beaches around Puget Sound. It's a legal gray zone, but his bottom line is that the friendlies outnumber the hostiles among the beach owners, and if you're discreet, and try to go midweek and alone it's generally fine. I will say that in the 14 years I've been beach fishing on Puget Sound the "Keep Out" signs are multiplying. The farther you get from Seattle the better. I'm switching over to a boat but I actually catch more standing on the beach.