Getting here is half the fun.
Vashon Island is just a short ferry ride from Seattle, Tacoma or Southworth (Kitsap Peninsula), and like another world just across the water. Vashon Town is located five miles south of the north end Vashon Island ferry terminal where ferries from Fauntleroy (West Seattle) and Southworth dock, and five miles north of the southend Tahlequah terminal where ferries from Tacoma's Pt. Defiance terminal dock.
Misty Isle Farms from the Fauntleroy Ferry: Follow the main road off the ferry to the town of Vashon (approx. 6 miles). Go through town (4 way stop), past Cemetary Road (4 way stop) and turn right on SW 204th. Follow SW 204th around a sharp left turn as it becomes 111th Ave SW. 111th will become SW 220th (approx. 1 mile). Turn left onto Old Mill Road SW and the field will be on your right.
Misty Isle Farms from the Talequah Ferry: Follow the main road off the ferry - Vashon Hwy SW. Veer left onto Wax Orchard Rd. SW (approx. 1.7 mi.). Follow Wax Orchard Rd. SW to the end (stop sign). Turn right on SW 220th. Turn right onto Old Mill Road SW.
Ferries
Ferry schedules are posted at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
Ferry cams are on the docks of several routes. You can check on current traffic conditions by going to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/cameras/
Go to this site for important information about the Fauntleroy terminal and ferry alert bulletins for both Fauntleroy & Vashon terminals:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/terminaldetail.aspx?terminalid=9
There is a passenger-only ferry from Pier 50 south of Colman Dock in downtown Seattle to Vashon with extremely limited service on week days only - and please note that there is no sheep bus on Friday to and from the trials.
For schedule information go to:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Marine/WaterTaxi/VashonIsland-DowntownSeattle.aspx
Ferry etiquette for drivers: As you approach any ferry terminal make note of parked cars with people sitting in them. They are waiting in the boarding line. Park at the end of the line. Be careful not to cut in line, as this could result in you getting sent back to the end of the line. Be aware that parking or idling inside the white crop lines could result in a traffic fine. Turn your engine off while waiting
Driving Directions
Directions to Fauntleroy (West Seattle) Terminal from Seattle via I-5:
Take exit 163 to the West Seattle Bridge, onto Fauntleroy Way SW. Follow Fauntleroy Way SW to the end past Lincoln Park.
Cars waiting to board may be lined up on the right side of the road next to the park north of the terminal. Please note: To make sure you board the correct vessel, indicate to the dock worker by either raising two fingers in a “V” (peace sign), indicating a Vashon boarding lane, or verbally confirm Vashon. If you show three fingers you will be loaded onto the Southworth (Kitsap Peninsula) bound ferry.
Directions to Point Defiance (Tacoma) Terminal:
From I-5: Take exit 132 (Hwy 16). Proceed west on Hwy 16 approximately three miles and exit on the 6th Avenue exit (signed Vashon ferry). Proceed straight through the first stop light. Turn right at the next stop light onto Hwy 163 (Pearl Street). Proceed north, approximately 3.5 miles, to the stop sign at the entrance to Pt. Defiance Park. Stay in the right lane and bear to the right for the toll booth.
Do not enter the park. The ferry terminal is located at the end of the street. On the Tahlequah (Vashon) side, returning to Tacoma, please note these ferry etiquette tips: Be careful not to cut in line, as this could result in your getting sent back to the end of the line. Be aware that parking or idling inside the white crop lines poses a traffic safety hazard.
Directions to Southworth Terminal:
Please note: Vashon bound vehicles load five minutes prior to scheduled departure time. When line one to Vashon fills up, the vehicles in the second line to Vashon will have to back onto the boat. Car and driver tickets from Southworth to Vashon are collected at the Southworth dock. Passenger tickets are collected when you disembark at Vashon.
From Port Orchard:
Head north on Sidney Ave toward Kitsap St. Take Mile Hill Dr. and SE Southworth Dr. (some of which is called S. Colby) to Seattle-Vashon-Southworth Ferry Dock.
From Bremerton:
Go east on Hwy 16 to the Sedgwick Road. (Hwy 160) exit. Turn left onto SE Sedgwick Road and proceed 7.3 miles to SE Southworth Drive. Turn right onto SE Southworth Drive and proceed to the toll booth.
Biking To & Around Vashon
Bikers are welcome on Vashon! Bikers are loaded with walk-on passengers prior to car loading on all Washington State Ferries. Metro buses on Vashon are all equipped with bike racks.
Many businesses in town and around the island offer bike racks or spaces for bike parking. While Vashon has few bike lanes, many roads offer wide and comfortable shoulders.
Please note many waterfront roads are unable to offer this accommodation.
*Most travel information courtesy of the Vashon Chamber. Please visit them here:
Bus Directions
Seattle Metro Bus service on Vashon is only available
Monday through Saturday.
Seattle Metro buses #118 and #119 connect to Vashon via the ferry and continue service on Vashon, Monday through Saturday (no Sunday service).
If you are planning a trip to Vashon on a Sunday, the RapidRide C Line runs seven days a week and stops at the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal where you can walk onto the ferry and use the shuttle bus to the trials at Misty Isle Farms.
Please check www.kingcounty.gov/tripplanner to confirm your bus route and times. Enter the route number in the search bar to view schedules. Click on Weekday or Saturday/Sunday to view current schedules.
Pierce County Buses #10 and #11 arrive at Pt. Defiance Ferry Terminal (Tacoma) for the ferry to the Tahlequah dock (south end). Check connections and times at www.piercetransit.org under "Plan Your Trip" by entering your location and destination. There will not be shuttle service from this dock.
Kitsap County travelers will need to call Kitsap Transit at 1-360-373-2877 or 1-800-501-7433 for trip planning assistance to the Vashon north end terminal. Kitsap Transit does not offer online trip planning yet.
Arriving by Sail or Motorboat
For those of you planning on boating to Vashon, note that there are two public marinas.
Dockton Park on Maury Island has picnic facilities, public restrooms, shower facilities, a swimming area and a playground. Metro bus routes pass the park and will take you to Vashon Town for food and activities except on Sundays. Please refer to the link above for schedules.
Quartermaster Marina is located in Burton’s inner Quartermaster Harbor. Please call (206) 463-3624 in advance for space availability and to make reservations . Power, water, shower, and laundry facilities are all available here. The lovely Burton community has a small general store, Harbor Mercantile, an iconic coffee stand, a post office, an antique store, a barber shop and the eclectic Spiceberry Home shop.
Quartermaster Yacht Club is also located in Burton’s inner Quartermaster Harbor. You must have reciprocal membership from another yacht club to dock. First come, first served at guest dock. No reservations. Electricity is available for a small fee.