Sub Pop’s SPF30 celebration at Alki Beach: Here are the transportation plans – transit, parking, road closures, more

Now we’re four days away from Sub Pop Records‘ big SPF30 anniversary celebration at Alki Beach – noon-10 pm Saturday (August 11th), with four stages of music (here’s the schedule as announced last month). This afternoon, the final details of how to get there and back, and how to get around the Alki area even if you’re not going. The map above and info below were just made public by Sub Pop:

At this time, we’d like to share important details regarding street closures, public transportation schedules, parking and more.

Firstly and foremostly, PLEASE limit the number of cars coming in and out of West Seattle, don’t drive unless you really have to, and instead use some form of public transportation to get to SPF30!

BUSES
King County Metro Transit has increased frequency for the Route 50 (Alki Service) to operate every 15 minutes.

In addition, the RapidRide C-Line has a couple of extra buses to assist with any overloaded buses, primarily while event-goers leave the Alki Beach area.

WATER TAXI
The King County Water Taxi between downtown Seattle and West Seattle is adding an extra boat with extra runs and extending hours of service.

In addition to the MV Doc Maynard running its regular Saturday service, the Water Taxi plans on running an extra boat (the MV Sally Fox) on the West Seattle route from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 7:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m. These times are when we expect most people to be traveling to, and returning from, the event.

We strongly encourage you to purchase your Water Taxi tickets in advance. You can do so through the Transit GO app. Or use your ORCA card, for a reduced fare!

SHUTTLES
Three free shuttles will run within West Seattle throughout SPF30.
From…
1. SW Alaska St. & 44th Ave. SW at the Metro stop
2. SW Admiral Way and SW Waite St.
3. Harbor Ave. SW in front of Don Armeni Boat Ramp
…to SPF30 at Alki Beach and back.

There will be at least one accessible shuttle for patrons with disabilities on each of these routes.

BIKES & BIKE SHARES
There will be a Bike Corral located at the tennis courts at Whale Tail Park operated by Bike Works.

There will also be bike shares at some strategic locations as well as staged throughout West Seattle. Look for bikes at these locations:

1. Alaska Junction
2. Admiral Junction
3. Port of Seattle Lot
4. Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal
5. Spokane St. Park and Ride
6. Water Taxi

LYFT/UBER
Uber and Lyft will be managing the road closures for the festival in app. It will be best to catch a ride to and from the shuttle stops at the Alaska Junction and in the Admiral Neighborhood

There will be Lyft signage up at the Lyft Pickup/Drop-off zones.

PARKING
Once more, with feeling: please do not drive to SPF30. But, if you must, please carpool, designate a driver and know that we will have a parking lot. The parking fee will be $20. Credit/debit cards and cash are acceptable forms of payment. Location is the 2500 block of Harbor Ave SW across from the 7-11.

From this lot you can either walk approx. 4 min. to Don Armeni Boat Ramp to catch a free shuttle, or rent a bike and ride the Alki Trail to the festival.

The parking lot closes at midnight on the day of the festival (Sat., Aug. 11). Unclaimed vehicles will be towed by noon the next day. Please no Rideshare vehicles.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING
We have accessible parking spots reserved exclusively for patrons with disabilities in two locations. We ask that you display your placard/hang tags when parking. Please note these spots will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

1. On 63rd Ave SW between Admiral Way and Alki Ave SW
2. On Alki Ave SW between 54th Ave SW and 56th Ave SW

Accessible parking hang tags/placards will get you through local access street closures to these parking spots.

ROAD CLOSURES
Alki Ave SW will be closed between 56th Ave SW and 63rd Ave SW.
59th Ave SW will be closed from SW Stevens St. to Alki Ave SW.

There will be a local-access-only closure on Harbor Ave SW at California Way SW. Traffic will be turned back down Harbor Ave SW or diverted up California Way SW.

There will be lots of other local-access-only closures from SW Admiral Way down to Alki Ave SW, as well as a local-access-only closure at Bonair SW and Sunset Ave SW.

There will be festival staff and SPD helping to direct traffic at all of these closures.

44 Replies to "Sub Pop's SPF30 celebration at Alki Beach: Here are the transportation plans - transit, parking, road closures, more"

  • art and music lover August 7, 2018 (2:11 pm)

    Hopefully, SPF30’s free shuttles are more prepared for crowds than the Alki art fair was. We waited at the under-bridge shuttle stop for about 30 minutes before the shuttle showed up. And when it did, it only had enough room to pick up about a third of the people waiting there.  The shuttle wasn’t going to come back for another 25-30 minutes… so we gave up, and drove. Found a parking spot right next to Alki ES.  

  • angelescrest August 7, 2018 (2:16 pm)

    I’d like some further confirmation on parking.  Since we want to be as generous as possible, we’d like to 1)double our cars in our driveway and 2)allow someone to parallel park in front of our driveway, thus blocking us in (fine with us!)  But, I want to know that parking enforcement  will concur that it’s fine for this event.

    • Don Brubeck August 8, 2018 (10:44 am)

      +1.  We need to allow someone to parallel park in front of our driveway on Saturday morning to get a disabled relative a ride from our house.  How can we find out in advance if this will be allowed on a street that has temporary “no parking” posted for Friday and Saturday?

      • BlairJ August 8, 2018 (1:32 pm)

        Better check with SDOT & SPD.  I understand that in general they will ticket a vehicle blocking a driveway without consulting residents of the adjacent property.

        • CAM August 8, 2018 (5:06 pm)

          I’m pretty sure that they will tow a vehicle parked in a no parking zone whether that zone is permanent or temporary. It still belongs to the city even if it’s adjacent to your property. 

  • JayDee August 7, 2018 (3:43 pm)

    I live up the hill and this might be the one event that causes people to park on our street.  I think I will avoid driving around Alki and Admiral (because of the traffic). 

  • Maybe August 7, 2018 (4:51 pm)

    Also hopefully people won’t park at Jack Block Park. I believe the Port locks the entrance gates at a certain time?

  • Mark August 7, 2018 (5:13 pm)

    Rumour is after the concerts, the “afterparty” is moving to the Junction. Does anybody have any confirmation on this?

    • WSB August 7, 2018 (5:38 pm)

      Yes, details to come.

    • Erithan August 7, 2018 (6:29 pm)

      Really hope people keep in mind residential buildings exist In the junction(enough issues with bar patrons and noise/littering as is), Especially in the park they need to move the no smoking sign so people see too!end up wheezing every night with large groups, plus super dry brush. :(sorry I’m sick of the noise and being sick from the inconsiderate people….(and our roaming group of addicts.) can’t even open a window for a breeze at night.. :(Sorry to be negative, I mean I hope everyone has fun, but please please remember some of us live here. (And in my case costs keep me from moving so no choice before anyone says too move)

      • T August 7, 2018 (7:28 pm)

        Erithan, I’m glad you said something. Plus noises travel a good 3-4 blocks in each direction so it’s not just people in The Alaska Junction that have to deal with noise and things associated with concerts.

  • Deb August 7, 2018 (6:03 pm)

    Do you know what time the soft closure of the streets will go into effect on Saturday? We are in that local access area and are trying to coordinate a delivery before the event.

  • Julia August 7, 2018 (6:22 pm)

    As someone that lives in alki, but uses Alki Mailbox for mailing— Any idea how they will confirm local access only? Thanks for all the continued updates!

    • alki_2008 August 8, 2018 (12:40 pm)

      I’d also like to know.  What kind of “proof” do I need to have in my car to get in/out of the soft closure area?And if I have a guest coming over, then will they be able to get to my house that’s in the soft closure area?

  • junctionresident August 7, 2018 (7:46 pm)

    What is this ‘afterparty’??

    • WSB August 7, 2018 (7:54 pm)

      It’s not a singular event. The Junction is inviting visitors to finish their Saturday night at its venues. I believe there will be a list before then of anyone offering specials, etc.

  • West Seattle resident August 7, 2018 (10:12 pm)

    I’m so bummed I amgoing to be out of town! Hope everyone has a great time. Can’t even imagine the population of WS nearly doubling for one event. 

    • WSB August 7, 2018 (10:29 pm)

      Big crowd but not doubling – we have ~100,000 people on the peninsula and the highest estimate for this event is 30,000. I’m still having trouble imagining even that for Saturday but we’ll see soon enough …

      • Wsresident August 8, 2018 (7:51 am)

        I’m sure you’ll report it perfectly. 😊

  • Blinkyjoe August 8, 2018 (7:56 am)

    This is gonna be SO GREAT!! 

  • Meyer August 8, 2018 (8:36 am)

    Does anyone know how often or when the free shuttles will run? Is there any kind of schedule?

    • WSB August 8, 2018 (3:23 pm)

      Every half hour, according to the newest info.

  • Kathy August 8, 2018 (9:57 am)

    60% chance of rain (0.19″) predicted for Saturday. If it actually happens it might calm things down a bit.

  • Yazzy August 8, 2018 (1:51 pm)

    I’m so excited! I’m visiting from Texas for the weekend and I’m glad this happened to be during my visit. 

  • Judy Daly August 8, 2018 (5:06 pm)

    Could you tell me the route the water taxi shuttle will be running on Saturday, also what time will Alki Ave close. Thanks Judy

  • Alki Needs to Change August 8, 2018 (5:47 pm)

    This really sucks! Alki is absolutely horrible and contently forgets that there’s more than just businesses here. There are FAMILY’S and people who have to work!! People live on Alki Ave SW, and it’s horrible the city let’s this happen all the flipping time! And like someone above said please don’t tell me to move! Same goes for our family. We can’t move due to cost of living.. plus the school here is amazing! But the City Parks need to stop such ridiculous events happening where so many people live and have lives outside of partying. Not everyone welcomes all the noise, drinking, idiots, fighting, and rude behavior of people coming on their property and sitting on their vehicles. Oh and trashing the yards. Respect is lost here. And don’t make me laugh about the SPD. They will do what they always do..hide! 

    • Out for a walk. August 8, 2018 (9:31 pm)

      Totally agree with comments questioning why this is being permitted to disrupt our neighborhood!!!!   This is not helpful for our neighborhood/community.  Why is this happening? ?  Who authorized this?  How much money is Seattle receiving for helping to “promote” this -and how is City spending the funds?    Who at  City Hall (Council and Mayor) do we send our thoughts for or against this type event?  Our beautiful neighborhood is being trashed by all these “out of area” or maybe even local non profits. Why do we as neighbors allow this to continue?  We need to be vocal in our opposition!!!  

    • Pelon August 8, 2018 (11:23 pm)

      What really sucks about Alki are all the huge condos that have been built down there that have maxed out the infrastructure for the entire neighborhood.  The neighborhood  has definitely changed, in some good ways & some bad ways. But my dear amigo, the SP30 event is only one day (and I think it’ll be a day to remember) that will inconvenience you and yours far less than the hydro races inconvenience the Seward Park neighborhood during Seafair every year for a whole weekend <gasp>.   If you want some historical perspective, every nice weekend in the Summer during the mid/late 80s and early 90s  Alki Ave SW was a traffic jam that stretched from Salty’s to the Lighthouse, thumping with subwoofers in cars that you could hear blocks away, from noon to midnite.  It could be worse.  So suck it up, enjoy the music or head out towards the Cascades for the day and avoid the crowds.  It’ll be over before the next low tide.

      • PNWMelissa August 10, 2018 (2:02 pm)

        I like your attitude, Pelon! :) See you at the beach.

    • Kathy August 9, 2018 (1:51 am)

      Sounds like some people don’t deserve a party. I am grateful for the party, thank you SubPop and Seattle. Any day cars are banned on 7 blocks of Alki Ave SW is reason enough for me to party. Cars are what make Alki unpleasant on busy days. They cause traffic jams, cruise around the the blocks looking for parking, they line the street and spoil the view from the restaurants, a lot of them have noisy engines, and most of them burn fossil fuels and pollute the air. Not so sure about the music, I’ll bring earplugs in case it’s too loud. P.S., Alki is not horrible, it’s fantastic. I can’t believe that some residents don’t appreciate how  lucky they are to live in such a great neighborhood. If the noise bothers you, invest in soundproof windows, it’s worth it, take it from me.

    • Chris August 11, 2018 (8:50 am)

      Quality of life and choices. Every one makes choices that come with consequences. You chose to live here at some point for various reasons, you loke the good schools and I will suggest there are many other things that you love about WS. There are things you don’t like too. With any choice you take the good with the bad. The cost of living is the same for all of us. You want to trade homes with me? I live in the Renton Highlands. If you own your home I propose we swap so you can get out of the s*** hole you think you live in. Or take the good with the bad and try not ruin what so many others love about WS. Deal with it you live in one of the best neighborhoods in Washington state. 

  • LKT August 8, 2018 (7:44 pm)

    Dear ANTC- Alki has been a public gathering place since, well, Seattle was founded. I’m sorry you didn’t know this when you moved here, but that’s kind of the deal when you live next to the beach town with lots of pubic amenities. This is a huge gathering for one night, so maybe you can plan around it so it won’t be too bad for you. I hope everyone is respectful and has a great time.

    • Delridge August 9, 2018 (10:04 am)

      *virtual high five*

  • Sura Hart August 9, 2018 (7:50 am)

    I’d also like to know.  What kind of “proof” do I need to have in my car
    to get in/out of the soft closure area?And if I have a guest coming
    over, then will they be able to get to my house that’s in the soft
    closure area? And what time will they start checking id?

    • heartless August 9, 2018 (8:44 am)

      In my (somewhat limited) experience most cops say “Street closed, local access only” and I say “I live right there” and point to my house and they say okay and that’s that.  I guess they could ask to see your ID, but that’s never happened to me.

      More importantly, you have a guest coming over on the one absolutely worst day to have a guest come over?  What on earth were you thinking?! 

      But to answer your question, of course they will be able to get to your house–they just won’t be able to drive there.

  • quiz August 9, 2018 (12:31 pm)

    So excited. Thank you SUB POP!

  • WSB August 9, 2018 (1:16 pm)

    I’m trying to get answers to the questions above that have gone unanswered. Will add anything I find out. In general, our Sub Pop contact says “we have traffic officers and volunteers at each checkpoint, to help direct local access.”

  • karen August 9, 2018 (1:20 pm)

    It’s best to leave your dogs at home as they aren’t allowed on the beach and they shouldn’t be left in cars. It’s too hot.

  • Dano August 10, 2018 (12:34 pm)

    Hey Tracy… I had written with concerns about the “hard and soft” closures that would be in place for this event. I mentioned that Subpop had sent out a flyer to the residents of Alki describing the closures. You asked me to forward that to you, as it said specifically WHERE those closures would be. My concern was Lander on Admiral Way. It is a “short cut” to the beach, and this event will surely have many folks trying to cut down that way. The flyer says it WILL HAVE a soft closure.  How do I get the pics of the flyer to you ASAP, so you can share with others?

  • WSB August 10, 2018 (12:39 pm)

    E-mail,westseattleblog@gmail.com

    Meantime for some questions asked above – I will incorporate them into the next preview but that’s going to be probably an hour and a half so, from the traffic Lt.:

    *”Hard closures will begins at 6 A.M. on Alki Ave SW between 57th and 63rd. Absolutely no vehicles will be allowed in this area. This includes residences or business employees. This area will be for crowds to enjoy the concert.”

    *”Soft closures (local access only) will begin at 9 A.M. This will be from California Ave SW / Harbor Ave SW and along Admiral Wy (north bound access) to 63rd Ave / Admiral Wy.”

    *”Local access is for verified residents and their guests. Make sure the guests know who and the address of the residents.”

    *”We normally only respond to blocking driveway at the request of the residents. If they want to block themselves in, it shouldn’t be a problem. However, you must NOT block any portion of the sidewalk. If you do and someone calls to complain, then the car will be ticketed and towed.”

  • Mamasuze August 11, 2018 (9:02 am)

    I owned a business in Georgetown 5 years ago when we hosted the SubPop 25th anniversary party……. it was an absolutely amazing day! Tons of people, music and fun! Enjoy it everyone – it is only one day and extremely well planned!  Wooooo hoooooo……!!!

  • Gina August 11, 2018 (10:31 am)

    Not my favorite music, but still walking down from Admiral central to check it out. Temperature is just right, and maybe I’ll hear something different that I will like. Never know.

Sorry, comment time is over.