It's only 15 minutes from downtown, yet it offers all the staples of a beach vacation: sun, sand, views, and countless places to have a drink with a frilly umbrella. Sure, there are other beaches around town, but Alki Beach has always seemed more like the real deal. Maybe it's the beach volleyball games that always seem to be going on. Or the rollerbladers cruising down the long boulevard adjacent. Or maybe it's the fire pits placed periodically along the beach, allowing you to roast hot dogs or marshmallows while watching the sun set over the water. Or the string of cafes where you can get not only those umbrella drinks but tasty pizza (See Best Pepperoni Pizza) and Southwestern fare. After a couple of hours there, your face flushed with sun, your bare feet covered with sand and salt water, you'll feel like writing a postcard to the poor souls back home. ?Nina Shapiro Alki Avenue Southwest