Scott Boehm - Getty Images
This is a parking lot
Continuing from yesterday, we move on to our second thread concerning the whole experience of visiting Safeco Field. In this one, we discuss parking and/or getting there. Safeco doesn't really have much in the way of stadium parking, so it seems like everybody has a different way of getting to the game.
In the past, when I've gone to games, I've stayed with friends who either lived close enough to walk, or who preferred to drive and then look for free parking about a mile south of the stadium in the graffiti district. Why not park closer? When I was up for the home opener, I ran across two lots charging $45 and $40 per vehicle. There is a fortune to be made in the parking business, and that's just...really? People would really pay that much? Don't get me wrong, I'm one of those people who'd rather take it easy and pay a little than spend 25 minutes frantically searching through traffic for a small open space on the curb, but I'm not going to pay more to park my car than I'll pay to attend the event to which I'm driving in the first place. $45 could buy you 15 bags of lightly salted peanuts outside the gate.
Granted, I imagine these were extraordinary prices given the nature of the event, but still: parking can be expensive, and annoying.
Now that I live in Portland, I've gone up twice and both times stopped at the park & ride station in Tukwila to ride the light rail. Parking was difficult to find before the home opener, which makes sense, but more often than not this is a solid plan if you're coming from outside the city and don't want to deal with the hassle of driving into town. Parking is free, the light rail runs often, it costs like $4.50, and it drops you off next to the stadium. I love the light rail. Comes with the side benefit of granting you an extra 30-45 minutes to sober up if you drank at the game and have a drive home staring you in the face.
0 recs | 106 comments
By the way, I know a lot of you will be reluctant to give away your 'secret spot'
1) That’s understandable, and free free to speak in generalities
2) It’s not secret
Jeff Sullivan - April 22, 2010
We used to park in the lots around 4th & Jefferson because they had $5 'event parking'
but as the lots went from two+ to just one, and I got several envelopes sent to me claiming that I had not paid for my parking, they lost my business.
msb - April 22, 2010
I think that is the same lot I parked in last night.
The stupid machine wasn’t working and so we figured it is their fault.
Wilder. - April 22, 2010
Nevermind.
Looking at Eyebrows’ map down below, it was 6th Ave & Airport Way.
Wilder. - April 22, 2010
That one used to have the 'shove the money in the slot' kind of box.
I was never sure if someone just pried the money out after everyone left, or if the person in charge of checking just pocketed the money & cliamed there was none in the slot.
msb - April 22, 2010
I've found some pretty cheap parking on 6th only a few blocks away from the stadium in the past.
BrianL - April 22, 2010
There was $8-$10 parking on 4th and 6th near the park this weekend
$40 must be anticipated sellout prices
Poochie - April 22, 2010
Probably
Jeff Sullivan - April 22, 2010
Parking prices fluctuate wildly all the way up to game time
I’ve seen lots go from $10 to $15 within an hour of gametime. And then of course many lots charge extra for “big” games, such as the opener and Yankees/Red Sox. Parking is definitely a hell of a racket in the stadium district
tootthekazoo - April 22, 2010
I'm moving from Texas to Portland
I’ve considered heading up to Seattle to catch a game (probably mid-to-late August). Is there anything special I should know about light rail in Seattle?
I noticed on the transit website that they mention an ORCA card, but I’m a bit confused about how it works. Do you just load it with money from a bank account and use it in place of a credit card or cash when purchasing tickets? Is it even worth messing with it for a handful of trips to Seattle per year?
jwiscarson - April 22, 2010
I don't know anything about the ORCA card
If you drive from Portland to Tukwila, the light rail will cost you $4.50 for a single round trip. Takes about half an hour.
Jeff Sullivan - April 22, 2010
$3.50 if you are 18 or younger!
Dewey N - April 22, 2010
Here's some information on the ORCA card
link
BrianL - April 22, 2010
Probably not worth it, really.
Assuming you’re coming up from Portland, you will likely already have cash and/or a credit/debit card, both of which can be used to get a train ticket
tootthekazoo - April 22, 2010
You don't need an ORCA to buy tickets
Cash and card both work fine. ORCA is just super-convenient
Graham MacAree - April 22, 2010
Yeah ORCA is more for if you're using Seattle/Sound/King County Transit a lot.
Mariner John - April 22, 2010
Light Rail is absolutely the best way to go if you're able
Other than Opening Day which saw the lot completely full (combination of the ballgame and commuters, since it is a Park & Ride after all), it is rarely more than half full. It takes me half the time to drive to the station that it does to drive into Seattle and I don’t have to try and park.
It actually takes me roughly 20 minutes of extra time to get to Seattle than driving, but between not having to deal with/pay for parking and getting the aforementioned 30 minutes or so of sober-up time, the train can’t be beat
tootthekazoo - April 22, 2010
Oh, and a pro-tip for everybody
Don’t ever pay your train ticket with a large bill, unless you are buying several at once. The machine only makes change with $1 coins. The first time I rode it, I bought the Mrs. and I round trip tickets ($9) and put in a 20. Spent the rest of the evening walking around with $11 in heavy coins in my pocket
tootthekazoo - April 22, 2010
Same thing happened to me in San Diego one time
Except I used a $20 to buy a $4 ticket.
I annoyed a lot of vendors that day.
Jeff Sullivan - April 22, 2010
I bought a bunch of stuff with the coins and it definitely annoyed the vendors up here as well
But, lesson learned and now I just use my card instead because I hate carrying change, especially when it is “expensive” change
tootthekazoo - April 22, 2010
I parked at the airport on Opening Day
Since they had the 50% off discount ($2/hr) for the opening homestand there and I figured the International Blvd lot would be full.
Unfortunately, that worked so well, I decided to park there again this Monday (still the opening homestand) but got charged full price this time.
ralphie81 - April 22, 2010
Another tip:
If you take light rail, buy a round trip ticket when you leave Tukwila. A round trip Link ticket is essentially a “day pass” and it means you don’t have to buy a ticket going back south. There are only two ticket machines at Stadium station and the wait can get really, really long. Buy a round-trip when you come to the game and save yourself the trouble.
In San Francisco, the ballpark ticket booths sell Muni tickets (their light rail) after the game. Brilliant.
mtn335 - April 22, 2010
Free parking along Utah Ave
For about 3/4 of a mile south from Safeco. One block west of 1st. Get there early though, as it usually is full by 5:30 or 6 on 25k+ attended games.
seattlecougar - April 22, 2010
Ok, here goes my "secret" parking area.
I’ll go a bit above image height guidelines, but it’s necessary to show. Parking areas highlighted in red:
I’ll usually come from I-5 and exit at Dearborn, and try to park near the warehouses on 6th. They’re half hour parking until 6pm, so usually those spots are filled by people at work, and they’ll clear out shortly before gametime. If I can’t find a spot there, I’ll head over and check Airport Way and 7th. Absolute worst case, there are a lot of pay lots on 6th for $5. The walk isn’t bad at all; you’re basically at the light rail station.
I’ll do the old man fist-shake at you when I see you taking the last spot, I guess.
Eyebrows - April 22, 2010 via mobile
This has always been my "secret" spot (I should probably say go to spot instead).
My parents would always look for spots here even when we went to games at the Kingdome. There are also great spots to the south of Safeco down near the McDonald’s and further south on 3rd Ave. for free. The walk is not bad at all.
seattle_since_81 - April 22, 2010
I knew you'd chime in here.
royalcurve - April 22, 2010
Just parked there last night
Specifically, the angle-in spots on 7th. Easily the best free spots that are consistently available. And with the crazy low attendance going on, there will still several open at about 6:15. I come in from the north, and it’s also extremely easy to get onto I-5 N from there.
GoddardTP - April 22, 2010
I always park along the railroad tracks west of 4th Avenue just south of Holgate
That seems to work really well, but I usually arrive fairly early.
Beyond that, I’d sometimes take the ST 594 up from Tacoma Dome, and that works really well too and is potentially a good option for Tacoma/Olympia/Portlanders, since the parking is free and they’ll run buses until nobody else wants to get on a bus- they even bring a Pierce Transit supervisor up to make sure things are moving quickly.
Corco - April 22, 2010
And 594 doesn't stop in Federal Way- the only stop it makes between Tacoma Dome and Safeco is at Spokane and Busway
So it doesn’t take any longer then driving a car
Corco - April 22, 2010
Seattle is a surprisingly walkable city, in spite of the occasional incline
The last time I was over (May 09) I caught a bunch of night games whilst staying in a hotel on Broadway, and it was perfectly safe walking around after 10pm.
MarkE - April 22, 2010
Two best options
(If you don’t want to get gouged for parking)
1) show up 1.5+ hours before the game and park for free under the Alaska Way Viaduct a couple blocks west of Safeco. Head north till you find a spot; they fill up quick.
2) park downtown and take a bus to Safeco. There are a bunch of buses that stop right on Royal Brougham, including the 150, 106, and 545 that run on weekends. Weeknights you will have to hunt a litle bit for parking, but there are a bunch of places you can catch the bus from (mostly underground in the bus tunnel). Saturdays there will be plenty of street parking. Remember , Mon-Sat you have to pay a nominal amount before 6pm. Sundays street parking is free downtown.
dlukas - April 22, 2010
I second option number 1
Park in the red (under the viaduct and its 1st Ave off ramp) and walk the green along all the vendors with music.
Works every time and I’ve never paid more than $1.50 for parking (only have to pay till 6pm).
egreenlaw9 - April 22, 2010
If I head up to Seattle, and the game is the only thing I'm planning on doing, then I use the same routine every time.
I get off on the 164B exit off of I-5, head up two blocks and turn onto 4th ave. Go down about a half dozen blocks or so and park at Pacific Coast Feather. It’s always $5(at least every time I’ve been there) and there’s plenty of parking. Then it’s just a 10 minute walk up the road straight to the right field side of the park.
The best part is that when I leave, I’m pretty much right there by the I-5 on ramp heading out of town, so I can basically bypass 80% of the traffic heading out of the city.
Goose - April 22, 2010
My Wife and I stay at the Westin. I love the heavenly bed.
Three or so hours before game time we’ll take a cab to Pioneer Square. Have a little food and beer. We have not set a regular stop. We just try and find a a place that is not too crowed. Then we head to the park to stop at one of the beer gardens, because it makes me feel part of the crowed.
Then we head into the park and just wander around until we get close to game time.
InSpokane - April 22, 2010
It's been years since I lived in Seattle.
But I used to live in West Seattle. For a while I worked at a place near the stadium that would let employees park for free and then sell the rest of the spots. Barring that, there was a bus that worked well from the West Seattle Park and Ride – I want to say the 55 or 56? Took you right to the stadium, short ride.
I also used to hit the Amtrak to Portland (I miss Powell’s!) on a regular basis. If you are from the Portland area that might be a cheap route – and give you even more time to sober up on the way back home.
ExiledToSoCal - April 22, 2010
If you live in Everett or go to UW
I suggest trying out the 510 bus. You can pick it up from Everett Station, Everett Mall P&R, or if you’re a UW’er, I5 and 45th. It’s not the fastest way to get there, but it saves a ton of hassle and will cost you a maximum of $5. Fare each way is $2.50, and the buses won’t provide you with change.
If you decide to try it, get off at 6th and Brougham and you’ll be right there. You can pick up the bus right next to the light rail thingy there.
Jackle Mackle - April 22, 2010
My not-secret-at-all spot
There’s a giant lot on Jackson/King, between 8th & 10th, underneath the I-5 overpass. It’s almost always $5 & I’ve only once seen it more than 2/3 full. It’s an easy walk from there through the ID (snack acquisition at Uwajimaya) & then either down 4th or cut through the Qwest lot to Occidental.
serotonein - April 22, 2010
Parking in that lot also supports InterIm who do a lot of good in that community wiith low-income housing and such.
(They run that lot, I used to work for them)
Jeff Nye - April 22, 2010
Head south along the railroad tracks
The neighborhood isn’t the nicest in Seattle, but parking is free along the fence line and in select lots. It’s only about a ten minute walk from the park.
romdal - April 22, 2010
When I go to a game from work I park on the street and pay the meter until 6pm.
After that it is free and I almost never pay more than $4. The key is getting there right at about 4:30-5pm when people are leaving from work and opening those spots up.
When coming from home I take the Light Rail now which is just such an amazing convenience that I cannot express how happy it makes me. Trying to take a regular bus home after games was a nightmare.
Sec 108 - April 22, 2010
Even if a light rail trip takes longer it's better than the loser cruiser
On a bus you still feel like you’re stuck in traffic, which you are. I’m a big fan of light rail. Even though I rarely if ever take the trolley here in SD, which unfortunately retains quite a bit of the bus ambiance.
lemonverbena - April 22, 2010
I don't know what the more local buses are like
but the ST 594 buses to Tacoma are very nice- almost like Greyhounds, and the vast majority of people riding them to M’s games are older middle-class normal folk. It also helps that the 594 pickup area is away from the special gameday service buses, so it’s not that intense scary crowd trying to horde onto the bus
Corco - April 22, 2010
SoundTransit buses are all very nice with overhead bins and cushioned (albeit hard) seats.
The Metro buses (King County) have more heavily cushioned seats, but they’re vinyl, also garish lighting and no luggage storage. ST over Metro any day of the week.
harkening - April 22, 2010
Many, but not all are.
The ST 574 is just a retrofitted larger-size Pierce County bus, usually, and some of the others (the 545 off the top of my head) are just retrofitted King County articulated buses. I think the ones under Community Transit are all pretty nice, and Pierce has several of those nice motorcoaches, but I’m not familiar enough with Metro’s ST fleet to know what they ahve.
Corco - April 22, 2010
Must vary bus-to-bus...
because I took the 574 last Saturday and it was just like any other ST bus I’ve been on.
harkening - April 22, 2010
I have seen the 574 use a motorcoach on rare occasions
ST has many buses, and they’re all under different jurisdictions. If you look at the 4 digit code on the front and back of the buses, you’ll see a “P”, an “M” or a “C,” and that determines who operates the bus. Pierce runs the 574, among other routes, and has a combination of motorcoaches and retrofitted buses (like those used on PT 500/501, the longer variety). King, at least in 2008 from what I saw used retrofitted medium-length buses and retro-fitted articulated buses, and Community used some retro-fitted medium length buses and motorcoaches
Corco - April 22, 2010
On further inspection
There are 20 motorcoaches in the fleet, all under Pierce Transit’s jurisdiction, so you could conceivably see them on 574, 578, 586, and the 59x buses
Corco - April 22, 2010
What's the Kingdome lot go for these days?
If I could not find street parking, I would park there as my last resort (if I did not walk from downtown), but I have not had to use it in awhile. It was a fixed price of $12 or $15 or so (so the price remained the same even when the private lots near the stadium double their prices for heavily attended games), it is close to the park, and it empties fairly quickly and orderly after games.
The downsides are that with the fixed price, you might end up paying a few dollars more for non-premium games than if you drove around for awhile, the lot is generally not available for weekday afternoon games like Opening Day (as people who work around there take most of the spots), and it fills up for the big attendance games.
Walking from downtown is still my preference.
G_ - April 22, 2010
It was $15 as recently as last season
As long as the viaduct is still there it’s not so bad for traffic if you’re heading towards Burien/Des Moines or Tacoma since you can just head up to Columbia
Corco - April 22, 2010
Only 10 bucks for most games so far this season.
sanford_and_son - April 22, 2010
Light rail works wonders as others have said.
If you want to drive from the south for whatever reason though, get off on the Spokane St. exit (164?) and drive a few blocks on 4th and try to find some parking there. It’s generally pretty cheap. Can be a decent walk but it’s all flat.
Mariner John - April 22, 2010
I once found a free spot in the ID, where you backed in, next to a fence, and it was an easy walk to the stadium.
I have never found it again.
I think it was the Brigadoon of parking spaces.
msb - April 22, 2010
The whole ID has become the Brigadoon of free parking spaces
even on non-game nights.
G_ - April 22, 2010
Buses were good when I use to go to UW a few years ago
Not sure if they are as good now but there were always a bunch of park and ride buses. I remember I accidentally jumped on an express bus going to the Lynnwood park and ride when a friend and I got way too drunk at a game. Drunk and realizing you got on the wrong bus is annoying but realizing the bus won’t stop for 30 minutes is even worse. Anyway, at that time there were buses going all over the place so they should be a pretty good option.
Edgar for Pres - April 22, 2010
S. Lander and 4th next to the USPS vehicle park
Two reasons:
1) Curb parking for free…woot.
2) Relatively busy intersection, cameras everywhere and a few security personnel watching over the USPS vehicles in that garage. No idea if they’d intervene if someone tried breaking into your car outside, but it can’t hurt.
Never once not had at least a few open spots there. About 15-20 minutes to the park walking at a brisk pace. And hey, a Jack in the Box on the way if you feel a need for a few tacos before the game.
Devin - April 22, 2010
Northgate Park and Ride
My connection with Seattle has always been the North End. I have found that the Northgate Park and Ride is convenient, and you don’t have to hassle with traffic or finding a parking spot. Take a regular bus to get down and its like a couple of blocks walk
The only issue I had the last couple of years was that you had to walk up the hill to get to the bus stop after the game, and if you missed your bus, it was a heck of a long wait between busses (woe unto you if you missed the last one at 11:06)
When I first started doing this, there was a post-game express, but that was kiboshed a couple of years ago.
New England Fan - April 22, 2010
Metro's post-game expresses are back!
A Federal rule canceled the service for last year, but it’s back this year after a new transportation bill passed in the off-season. Details here.
mtn335 - April 22, 2010
Nice!
I remember DMZ was rightfully ranting about that ruling a while back.
yuniform - April 22, 2010
But not to the south end.
harkening - April 22, 2010
Yeah, but you an take the light rail
We poor schmucks in Lynnwood won’t get it for like 12 years
mtn335 - April 23, 2010
I'm in Federal Way.
The light rail stops in Tukwila.
harkening - April 23, 2010
I think the theme for parking is if you are willing to go south about 15 min walk
you can usually find something between free and $5 parking. If for whatever reason you don’t want to walk then expect to pay ~$10-15 for parking. Used the Safeco lot the other year when my grandma was in town and the convenience and short walk was probably worth it in that case.
Edgar for Pres - April 22, 2010
Convenience of walking to the staduim is nice,
but I would pay for the convenience of getting back on the damn freeway after the game. That can be a mess, especially if you aren’t from Seattle
d0nkey - April 22, 2010
Does driving south down 4th to Michigan to I-5 still work?
We would do that when there was a backup on Spokane Street (which I think is currently closed for construction).
G_ - April 22, 2010
Yeah getting away from Safeco after the game is worthy of a discussion by itself.
My suggestion is to hang around Safeco for 5-10 minutes after the game and maybe grab a couple tacos at the above mentioned Jack in the Box.
Edgar for Pres - April 22, 2010
I prefer grabbing Doughnuts at Krispy Kreme, also on Holgate.
They remain open for 30 minutes after the last pitch of every home game.
harkening - April 22, 2010
Why grab tacos at JitB when there's a Taco Bell a few blocks further?
appleshampoo - April 22, 2010
Because JIB tacos are amazing.
Wilder. - April 22, 2010
Yeah I agree
a JBo taco isn’t really a taco unless tacos are deep fried and include a slice of american cheese.
Edgar for Pres - April 22, 2010
They are just a different food group
Not really a taco. I’m kind of meh on them.
appleshampoo - April 22, 2010
Yeah they aren't "good" but their taste/$ is good enough to satisfy a fast food craving
The best deal after the game is getting hot dogs from the vendors outside the stadium I think.
Edgar for Pres - April 22, 2010
I once made the tactical error of parking in a lot on the 4th avenue side
thinking it would be a close walk for the still-small nephews. It was— it also too 45 minutes to get out of the lot and onto the road, due to traffic and poor driving by people ahead of me in the lot.
we got to spend the time listening to trade-day news.
msb - April 22, 2010
I usually just take the 511 bus down from the Lynnwood park and ride.
It’s about a 45 minute ride either way, and takes you right next to the stadium and all the good places to drink pre-game. It’s affordable and easy.
BrettJMiller - April 22, 2010
That Lynnwood park and ride was brilliant
I used that for the home opener and couldn’t be happier about the whole thing. Especially since I tend to drink a few beers. 45 minutes sounds like a bit but seriously, that has to be :15 to :45 faster than driving (depending on time/conditions) as they use the HOV lane and you don’t have to park a car. $5 round trip, they lack the scanner but will take a Flexpass.
Have you tried the Sounder train from Edmonds? Their website mentions special trains for weekend games.
Kermit. - April 22, 2010
The Sounder train was very convenient.
I took it down to a game a couple summers ago with some friends and it was very easy as far as catching it in Edmonds and then after the game. I don’t remember the exact prices but it wasn’t anything outlandish, maybe a couple dollars more than bus fare. The one draw-back I remember was that on the way back from the game, it being mid-August, the cars were really hot, but that probably had more to do with the weather than the cars themselves. I would definitely recommend it if you are taking family or out of town visitors because it runs along Puget Sound for a majority of the way and offers great views.
ZW21 - April 22, 2010
Bainbridge and Bremerton folks get the best deal
Just a ferry ride and a ten minute walk for me! Parking in the ferry parking lots is usually $7-$13.
katherinekiyoko - April 22, 2010
The ferry trip to Safeco is my favorite way to go!
The ferry ride is comfortable, fun, scenic and they serve beer. I live in Gig Harbor, which means it would be quicker to drive, but I usually end up taking the ferry instead.
Rich Langford - April 22, 2010
Agreed!
Never have to worry about finding a parking spot, the parking isn’t terribly expensive, and you can pre-game on the ferry ride over and sober up on the way back. Perfecto!
wyte_lightning - April 22, 2010
the only downside to the ferry
is the schedule. Especially for Bremerton, with less frequent runs. But even on the BI run, they cut back on night runs in recent years.
Many a time I’ve left a game in the 8th inning to catch a ferry.
Of course, if the game ends quick and I have to wait an hour for the next ferry, there is always the Owl and Thistle.
Paul AB - April 23, 2010
The Ranier Avenue exit from I-90 is the way to go if you are coming from the Eastside.
You can skip all of the traffic backup on 4th and take Dearborn into the stadium area. The bus system from the Eastside is not great. They used to only have buses for weekend games, and not weekdays, but I’m not in Seattle any more, so I don’t know whether that has changed.
Chimarinersfan - April 22, 2010
Beware of guys with hand-written signs collecting money for parking.
waldo rojas - April 22, 2010
Metro park-and-ride lots are excellent options
Most of the major park-and-ride lots have bus service after the games (I think this service has been restored, or will shortly be restored.
Inbound, you take a bus headed to downtown Seattle. Most of them will use the transit tunnel, and you will get off at the International District station, then walk to the stadium.
After the game, the Mariners express buses will be parked next to the stadium. You just get in, the bus leaves when it is full and another one is in line behind. Pay when you exit. Or, you can walk back to the International District and catch the outbound direction of the bust that you rode in.
I usually leave a bit early and stop by a downtown alehouse while happy hour prices are still in effect. Then I walk down to stadium along Occidental, grab a Buhner (“Will you look at the size of that one?”) dog, get a few snacks and head in. If I’m buying from a scalper, I make my purchase along Occidental as well.
Steve Nelson - April 22, 2010
Ah the Buhner Dog guy.
Heard him for the first time before a Sounders match a few weeks ago.
BrianL - April 22, 2010
First time? Really? He has been around for 20 years!
Sec 108 - April 22, 2010
Free parking on the Yesler overpass. Nice view of the city as you walk down the hill.
I’ve found spots there up to game time.
Kind of goes without saying, but I would not recommend leaving valuables in view, even in the Safeco parking garage. I’ve seen cars with broken windows in all locations, including the M’s garage which surprised me quite a bit.
Kermit. - April 22, 2010
When parking at/near the stadium -
A lot of people don’t realize how many carprowls occur during these events. It’s a crime of opportunity, there are thousands of cars, it takes 2 minutes, and rarely leaves any evidence.
1. Don’t leave anything visible in your vehicle. Anything. Yes, everyone knows you "hide" that thing you don’t want stolen under your coat in the back floorboard. Or under the front seat.
2. Don’t step out, and put it in your trunk. Your trunk isn’t that secure, and someone probably just watched you (or your girlfriend) put your purse in there. It’s a broken window and 2 minutes from being gone and you having to dial the non-emergency police number after the game.
3. Even the iPod/GPS wires connected to the dash or hanging out, could make unscrupulous people believe that something is in your vehicle worth taking. Stash them. No one wants to have to replace a broken window.
4. If your vehicle was broken into, use the non-emergency police line (206-625-5011. Press option 2 and then 8 to speak to a live operator). Keep in mind there may be a wait, please don’t be angry with us we didn’t do this to you, and we are trying to assist you and everyone else calling after the game as quickly as possible; and in progress emergencies/threats to life must come first.
(This goes for all the parks too. Those signs are there for a reason.)
Kunkoh - April 22, 2010
Who can tell me why the light rail is titled the the light rail?
Current theories:
1) It runs on light
2) The light rail goes around Puget Sound, creating a nice bit of poetry that revolves around light and sound.
Dewey N - April 22, 2010
It doesn't carry freight and is designed for short hauls, making it "light duty" rail
Corco - April 22, 2010
Lame
Dewey N - April 22, 2010
It can also refer to the rails themselves being lightweight
Mainline railroads use rail that’s typically between 130 and 160 pounds per yard; light rail would typically be more like 85 lb/yd.
mtn335 - April 23, 2010
Right, but said rail can be light because it doesn't have to carry the excessive weight of 80 cars full of several tons of coal or whatever
Corco - April 23, 2010
Also in an urban transit setting ...
… light rail connotes a system that operates more like a street car. That is, a light rail system will have at least some sections where the rails travel on a grade level right of way, with cross streets, pedestrian crossings etc. A heavy rail system will have a much more isolated type of right of way, and will have fewer stops. Heavy rail systems are more often used for regional transit.
San Francisco is an area with both light and heavy rail systems. BART is an example of a “heavy rail” system, whereas the MUNI operates a (somewhat) coordinated light rail system.
Steve Nelson - April 23, 2010
I usually coming from down South...
wait, that didn’t sound right, I usually am driving from I5 south, and the lot I use is at 6th and Massachusettes- 5 bucks, a little bit shady at night, but there are usually plenty of people around. If you don’t want to walk around the long way you can just jump the fence along the light rail tracks and hop over a concrete barrier or two and it is only a five minute walk.
RustyJohn - April 22, 2010
There are parking lots charging $40-45 per vehicle?
Usually I manage to find $20-25 event parking like 15 minute-walk from the stadium. But traffic is horrible. The first time I visited Safeco I arrived just before the game. Or so I thought. The road was completely plugged up like 10-minute-driving-distance from Safeco. Took us like an hour just to get to Safeco from like 2 miles away. (It was a Mariners vs Red Sox game, so that may explain it).
Since then I’ve tried to arrive at least 30 minutes before the game.
Allen Wu - April 22, 2010
Only for big games usually
pdb - April 22, 2010
I usually park
on Occidental, just south of the stadium between Holgate and Lander. If you get there early you’ll be closer to Holgate and have a 5 minute walk to the stadium.
marinerschas2 - April 22, 2010
I do this too
I’ve been doing it for years. There usually is parking, it’s free and busy enough that you don’t need to really worry about your car. Especially since they built the krispy kreme there, it’s a busy road.
Although coming from portland I need to give the lightrail idea a shot.
A.B - April 22, 2010
The International District is under-rated
Yeah, it’s a bit more of a walk than south of the stadium, but there are much better food options. With the the work/non-baseball drivers, there’s always a spot somewhere, though you may have to circle around a bit.
yuniform - April 22, 2010
The food options unfortunately attract a lot of non-baseball drivers up through game time
and if you cannot find a space and want to try somewhere else, it can be tough getting out of the ID between the cars stopped waiting for a space to open up and only two routes (Jackson and Dearborn) back toward the stadiums that tend to get backed up with the 4th Ave overflow. Unless you are there well before game time, you are probably better off looking first at the other suggestions.
G_ - April 22, 2010
Bicycliing to the gameis best
Covered, fenced bike parking in the Safeco garage across Edgar Drive from the ballpark. The attendants booth is right across from it so it lessens the chances of bike theft, but still lock it up.
Best part is getting out is WAY faster than the stacked up cars.
look4wrd - April 22, 2010
For my last few games, I parked on 4th, a mile or so south of Safeco
and walked to the stadium and back. I’m guessing I parked in the graffiti district Jeff mentioned. Parking there has seemed easy, almost… too easy. I can never shake the feeling I’m doing something unwise or wrong. Being from Portland, it’s the type of area that seems like it would be metered or permit-only here, and the sheer lack of people around the area after the game is a bit unnerving.
I really don’t know my way around Seattle. I’ve always figured there are some good residential zones that one could park in and bus to and from the game… preferably some near good record stores. I’d like to make a day out of going up, going record shopping, then hitting the game via public transportation. Anybody know of some neighborhoods that fit this bill?
groovewrangler - April 22, 2010
This thread reminds me how nice it is to just be able to walk to the game without having to park.
Even if the walk back sucks ass.
Mariner John - April 22, 2010
I feel like I can usually find somewhere near Pine that's reasonable, and the walk isn't bad at all to me.
Especially if I make a day out of it and enjoy the sites on the way. I was in Seattle last weekend and didn’t go to the game, but I got 10 hours for 7 bucks next to the Paramount during one of the Tigers games.
philkid3 - April 23, 2010
And Pine is extreme, btw.
I can usually get much closer. I don’t go nearly enough to have spots memorized, though.
philkid3 - April 23, 2010
I am usually coming from the North
And I usually have good luck finding something either in Pioneer Square or the ID. If it’s an evening game, you can find a spot on the street or under the Viaduct and get away with paying until 6pm only. Not as good of an option if you are running late, though.
I also frequent Metro, but I typically like to walk north towards downtown before trying to catch a bus, because it can be a madhouse right by the stadium.
jtopps - April 23, 2010 via mobile
Getting out of the stadium, going East on I90
We live on the eastside (Renton/Issaquah), and almost always drive – although sometimes the ST Express busses from Issaquah work out well.
1) If you’re leaving the stadium on a crowded night, think about relaxing for a bit until the crowds subside. Also, you can usually move laterally across the sections to avoid the concourse.
2) The new pedestrian bridge sucks. Avoid it by leaving the RF exit and using Edgar M. Way and 4th Ave., or Occidental Way, if you’re leaving to the north.
4) The good secret spots over on 7th/Airport way near the new BMW dealership have already been disclosed.
5) We usually park in Chinatown (mother-in-law’s condo). If you live on the east side the express lanes entrance at Dearborn and 5th rules for leaving the area.
6) If you come from the eastside, I90 often sucks. Since we live to the south, we often cross the hill north of Tukwila (MLK Way) and use I5 to Dearborn St exit. DO NOT use 4th exit unless you’re parking in the garages.
floydr - April 23, 2010
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