sssteve

My wife and I will be visiting Florida next month and plan visiting friends in Naples, which is the most convenient place about halfway between us. (They live in Fort Meyers and we will be in Kendall.) We used to get to Florida pretty often when my Mother lived there (on the east coast), but we have never been to Naples.

My question regards parking in Naples. The information I have found on the internet is contradictory, so I don't know what the real situation is regarding parking.
I assume we will go the area near the Naples Pier and then find a restaurant and have lunch together.
So my question is about parking in the area near Naples pier.
Is there free parking on the street?
Is there metered parking on the street? If there is, how long is the parking allowed and how much does it cost?
Are there parking lots?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

DebbieDoesDulles

Near the pier the lots are parking metered, $2.50 per hour

Christina

There is a parking lot at the corner of Gulf Shores Blvd and 12th ave S. You have to pay using a machine, there aren't meters at each spot in the lot. The parking spot has a number on it which you have to punch into the pay machine at the entrance when paying. You can use credit cards or coins. I think you can extend the time by a text message on your phone. As far as I know, you can park there as long as you pay for it.

You can't park anywhere around there for free, you have to have a beach parking permit if there is no meter (residents get those, not visitors).

sssteve

Thanks.

You've both mentioned parking lots. Is there metered parking on the street anywhere?

DebbieDoesDulles

On 12th street which dead-ends onto the pier, you can drop people off and turn around, but the few street parking meters right there are handicapped only, I believe. If you go up and turn right at the Mariner Motel, you might be able to find a street spot on 13th, which is parking meters.

Ackislander

In general, there is metered parking in the block between Gulf Shore Boulevard and the beach on cross streets until you get to Gordon Drive, except, as noted, by the pier.

These fill fairly early but tend to be empty again by 3:30-4:00.

SusanMargaret

We've always found parking near the Pier difficult in February. Have you thought about parking near 5th Avenue South. There are so many interesting restaurants to choose from along that strip and parking, especially at lunch would be a little easier.

sssteve

Thanks to all...

Susan:

As I said, I have never been to Naples. Our friends, who we are going to meet, and used to live in Naples, mentioned the pier.

5th Avenue South looks fine to me. From the maps, I see that there are municipal parking buildings there. Good enough for me. I've seen plenty of piers, and I don't plan on bringing my fishing pole.

NewbE

You might consider downloading the Parkmobil app. A lot of cities and towns in Florida use that for their metered parking, and it's easier than walking to the nearest machine to pay and get a receipt that you then have to walk back to put inside your windshield. (I don't know if Naples uses it...)

NewbE

I mistyped, it's Parkmobile, and here is the site:
http://us.parkmobile.com

It is not used in Naples, but there is a map indicating that is used in many other cities in Florida and in other states, so quite useful.

NeoPatrick

While above statements are true, they are a bit misleading. If you must park less than two blocks of the beach, yes you will have to pay. But there is a large free lot just over two blocks from the beach -- behind Tommy Bahamas, and parking on all the streets at that Third Street South shopping and dining area are free. There is also a large free underground garage at the southwest corner of Third Street South and Broad Street. No need to pay to park unless you can't walk more than a block to the beach. Incidentally at Fifth Ave South there are two large free garages and all street parking is free. In Naples you only pay to park AT the beach. It's one of the few "free" things you'll find in Naples.

sssteve

Patrick:

Very clear. Thank you!