The San Diego City Council approved a plan to implement paid parking at Balboa Park. The proposal, adopted by the Council, ensures that verified City residents can receive discounted parking and preserves some free parking options, including for park employees and volunteers.

Parking fees for the Balboa Park lots and on-street metered parking will begin upon the establishment of a quarterly or annual pass program for park-goers. This is expected later this year.

Additionally, a program that will allow verified City of San Diego residents to park for half the price of the non-resident parking lot rate is anticipated by January 2026. 

The cost of each parking lot within Balboa Park will vary, depending on how close it is to the center of the park.  These rates would be effective when the Resident Verification Program is implemented.

• Level 1 lots include Space Theater, Casa de Balboa, Alcazar, Organ Pavilion, Bea Evenson, Palisades and South Carousel.
  • Non-resident rate: $16 per day and $10 for up to 4 hours.
  • Resident rate: $8 per day and $5 for up to 4 hours.
• Level 2 lots include Pepper Grove, Federal, Upper Inspiration Point and Marston Point.
  • Non-resident rate: $10 per day.
  • Resident rate: $5 per day.
• Level 3 lot includes Lower Inspiration Point.
  • Non-resident rate: $10 per day with the first 3 hours free.
  • Resident rate: $5 per day with the first 3 hours free.

Parking rates for non-residents will increase when the Resident Verification Program is implemented.

Meters will be installed on roads within the park – including Balboa Drive, El Prado, Juniper Road, Presidents Way, Quince Drive and Village Place – and around the park on 6^th Avenue and Park Boulevard. Under the parking plan, meter rates will be $2.50 per hour with a maximum of $10 per day.

Parking will continue to be free at parking meters in and near Balboa Park for those with a Disabled Person license plate or placard. Free ADA parking will be available in the parking lots, in blue parking spaces marked for disabled parking.

A free tram service will continue to serve visitors, going from the Inspiration Point parking lot to a variety of stops within Balboa Park. All trams are equipped with ADA-accessible ramps.

The San Diego Zoo will also soon establish paid parking at its three lots. However, the parking system at those lots will be implemented by the zoo. For more information, visit the Zoo’s parking website.

By state and local law, parking revenues must be reinvested in the park with eligible expenses to include park operations and maintenance.  These revenues will be critical to support improvements and ongoing maintenance in Balboa Park.