Washington State Ferry

[ohpp]

We have a slip for the summer at Port of Friday Harbor and I am trying to figure out the best car usage.
I know I don't need the car at Friday Harbor but am not sure where to leave it in Anancortes and then how to get to it from the ferry. I see that it would be a 4 mile walk which is fine in good weather. If I take the car to Friday Harbor, I see there is a repeat ride ticket that will save me money. It says 5 rides, is that round trip ? Since I am over 65, do I have to be a Washington resident to get the senior rate? Lots of questions, luckily there are so many of you to provide answers.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

We've left our truck (no trailer parking allowed) in the city gravel lot behind Cap Sante Marina for two month stretches. No cost, had no problems and the last time we did this in 2014 it was allowed. We stored our trailer at North Harbor Diesel, just down the street, for $50 per month.

Jim

 

[scross]

If you don't need the car on San Juan Island much, I'd recommend parking at the WSF Anacortes parking lot. It's $34 for a monthly parking permit or $140 for the whole season. The walk from the WSF Terminal at Friday Harbor to the Friday Harbor Marina is just a couple of blocks and it's easy to get by the construction site. No, you do not need to be a Washington State resident to get the senior discount. All the ferry rates from Anacortes to Friday Harbor are round trip pricing since they don't collect fates coming back from Friday Harbor to Anacortes. Winter fare rates for seniors are $6.55 round trip.

 

[Irish Mist]

Storage is still $50 at Harbour Diesel ..They will also store boat on trailer if needed ..

 

[ohpp]

Thanks. I didn't realize that I could park at the terminal for extended periods of time or do so for so low a price. That will solve the problem.

 

[JamesTXSD]

If you choose to leave your car in the lot at the Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, you can take a cab for $12 from the ferry landing to the marina.

If you decide to take a car to San Juan Island, you may be able to get a parking permit from the Port of Friday Harbor since you will have a seasonal slip. As Tami, the marina manager will tell you: "The parking permit does not guarantee you a parking spot - it guarantees you the opportunity to get in the hunt for a spot." Other than times when the yacht club has something going on, the permit parking is easy... and if you are parked there before the yacht club has something going on, you are good to go... or stay, as the case may be. 😉

We spent four summers working in Friday Harbor (stayed on our boat three of the four), and kept our truck in the permit parking. There may be times you'd want to have a vehicle on the island: if you want to drive around (beautiful scenery), go to the Lavender Farm, go to the Alpaca Ranch, go the winery, or go to "the other" grocery store (not Kings Market, although the other store is owned by the same people). That said, it really isn't that far of a walk to the other store. Plenty of good restaurants close by in Friday Harbor.

The fee you pay in Anacortes for the ferry is for the round trip. The multi-pass works out to "pay for 3 trips, get 5." Friday Harbor is a great place to spend the summer season - there is a friendly liveaboard community there. It can get a little loud in the marina on weekends (especially around the 4th of July), but that is part of the experience... and can also be a good time to untie the dock lines and go north into the Canadian Gulf Islands.

Have fun this summer!