Traffic and Parking in Downtown San Diego can be tough during certain days or times of the year and also depends what area of downtown you live in or are trying to get to. Baseball games at Petco Park, Events at the Convention Center, Seaport Village, Embarcadero Park Waterfront, Farmer’s Markets, and our Cruise Ship Terminal all play a role in how busy or congested our Downtown area may feel.
We have an abundant amount of restaurants, boutiques, shops, nightlife, and so many of your favorite things to do in San Diego right here. And with such a high walkability score from all Downtown San Diego neighborhoods, if you own or lease a condo here, you can leave your car parked for the weekend and enjoy the city by foot! If you aren’t one of us lucky ones (yet 🙂 ), here is a quick guide and what to pay attention to…
Methods for getting to and around Downtown are driving your personal vehicle, DECO Bike, Coronado Ferry, San Diego Trolley, UBER, Car2Go, Taxi, and the COASTER Train.
Should you choose to drive here, there are many parking lots and garages throughout the area. For street parking, always look for signs and curb colors to identify the type of parking and the length of time you can park.
RED: no parking/no stopping
WHITE: passenger loading zone (3 minutes)
BLUE: handicap parking (must have handicap placard or license plate)
YELLOW: commercial loading zone from Mon-Sat 6a-6p, *free parking outside of these hours, Sundays, & holidays*
GREEN: short term parking from Mon-Sat 8A-6P (time limited to the amount stenciled on the curb or posted on the sign) *free parking outside of these hours, Sundays, & holidays*
**If curb color = none & spot is metered, see sign for the hours meter charges. Most meters Downtown charge between 8A-6P, but in/and around the Gaslamp area – approximately 1st to 7th and Broadway to Harbor, meters charge from 10A-8P. After times listed on meter and on Sundays and certain holidays, it’s free parking except [NOTE: must pay attention to street sweeping signs and Padres game day/special event signs]
**If curb color = none & spot not metered, then free parking anytime except [NOTE: must pay attention to street sweeping signs and Padres game day/special event signs]
To save money and for convenience… get a Pre-Paid Parking Meter Card
The City of San Diego has electronic parking meters that take nickels, dimes, quarters, and City of San Diego pre-paid parking meter cards (available in 2 increments, $10 and $45). These are great because they allow you to put any dollar amount into the meter up to the maximum for that location and any time you don’t use, you can insert your card back into the meter, and the meter will credit your card back for every full 6-minute increment remaining on the parking meter. Note: parking meters that allow you to pay with debit/credit cards accept these parking meter cards as well but don’t credit back the unused time. Parking Meter Cards never expire.
For more information on parking visit City of San Diego Parking ')}