Clinton

Getting there

By ferry Washington State Ferries (WSF) operates the Mukilteo / Clinton route, connecting Whidbey Island to the Puget Sound mainland and the Seattle metro area.

1 Clinton Terminal, 64 South Ferrydock Rd, ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1-800-843-3779. A ferry connects Clinton and Mukilteo on the mainland north of Seattle. 20 minutes one way; departures every 30 minutes. Island Transit has a bus stop at the ferry terminal. (updated Aug 2025) Fares are one-way for vehicles, and round-trip for passengers. Fares are calculated based on sailing time and season, type and length of vehicle and the amount and ages of passengers. For example, fares during a summer weekend in 2025 are:

$13.90 for a standard 14–22 ft (4.3–6.7 m) car and its driver $6.25 for additional adult passengers and walk-ons from Mukilteo (free from Clinton) $1.00 for each ride-on bicycle from Mukilteo, in addition to the passenger fare (free from Clinton) This run is popular with commuters as well as weekend vacationers. There may be a wait of a few hours for vehicles during peak times.

By car State Route 525 (WA-525) approaches from the north via Oak Harbor and Coupeville. It crosses into Mukilteo via Ferry and continues south from Mukilteo to the I-5/I-405 junction in Lynnwood.

By public transit Island Transit, ☏ +1 360-678-7771. Scheduled bus services on Whidbey Island and Camano Island. Service on Whidbey Island includes to Clinton, Coupeville, Freeland, Greenbank, Langley, Oak Harbor with off island connections to Anacortes. Service on Camano Island includes off island connections to Everett and Mount Vernon. Free. (updated Jun 2023) Bus route 1 connects the ferry terminal with Oak Harbor through Freeland, Greenbank, Coupeville, and points in between along SR-525 & 20. This route operates weekday only throughout the day. Bus route 58 Local connection from the ferry terminal down to Scatchet Head via Bailey's Corner at the south end of town. This route operate Monday to Friday, travel

Getting around

By taxi The Rock Taxi Cab, ☏ +1 360-914-3250. (updated Jun 2023)

See

If you are in Clinton, you are most likely passing through to other destinations on Whidbey Island. If you're waiting for the ferry, there is a small park for families to have a picnic by the beach and wait out the long line. If you're staying for longer, find a comfortable place to watch the ferries come and go.

Do

1 Dave Mackie Memorial Park, 7490 Maxwelton Rd. Located beside the water, it includes portions of Maxwelton Beach. This is perhaps the best beach in Clinton, with sandy beaches and shallow water for summer swimming. The water will not be tropical but on a hot July day it is warm enough to cool down from the heat. (updated Jun 2023) Maxwelton 4th of July Parade. July 4. Visitors from all over the Puget Sound come to enjoy an old-fashioned family parade complete with domestic animals dressed in their best red, white and blue. There are sack races and pie eating contests and it's all set on the beautiful beach front. If you decide to make the trek to Whidbey for this event, you must arrive early to find a parking spot and to walk in. You are also welcome to participate in the parade, just arrive an hour early! (updated Mar 2025)

Buy

Clinton is a mostly residential town so most shops are services for island residents. You may find a couple artist studios intermixed with the video and grocery stores.

1 Bailey's Corner Store, 7695 Cultus Bay Rd. 7AM-8PM. Stop by for a flashback to the good old days and get penny candy and ice cream! (updated Mar 2025)

Eat

The Shrimp Shack at Cozy's, 8872 WA-525 (up the hill from the ferry on the right side). Serves American fare (updated Mar 2025) Island Nosh, 8898 WA-525. Serves noodle dishes from different regions (updated Mar 2025) Dairy Queen, 6330 Storkson Dr. The only fast food chain on the south end of Whidbey. (updated Mar 2025) HongKong Garden, 9324 WA-525 (up a steep hill). An American Chinese restaurant and bar. (updated Mar 2025) Pickle's Deli, 11042 WA-525 STE 122. A highly awarded sandwich shop. (updated Mar 2025) Whidbey Island Bagel Factory, 11042 WA-525 Suite #124. (updated Mar 2025) Patron, 11042 WA-525 (In Ken's Korner shopping mall). Mexican restaurant. (updated Mar 2025)

Drink & nightlife

Southern Cross Espresso, 8825 WA-525. Coffee stand. (updated Mar 2025) Whidbey Coffee, 11040 WA-525. Coffee stand. (updated Mar 2025) The Top at HongKong Garden is the late night bar, they do karaoke on Friday nights. Cozy's is the town's local bar, locals go there to socialize and play a round of pool.

Sleep

Bed and breakfasts are the most common form of lodging.

Whidbey Island Escape, 3756 Periwinkle Rd (by ferry). Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A quiet bluff cabin with a minimalist design. Sleeps 4 people and can host up to 2 dogs (less than 50lbs) on a 1/4-acre lot. Fireplace. (updated Apr 2022)