PAID PARKING AT BALBOA PARK
The City of San Diego’s paid parking program in Balboa Park is in effect as of January 5, 2026. Please be aware of these changes when arranging your next trip to ARTIFACT + CRAFT CAFE at Mingei
PARKING OPTIONS
STREET PARKING
There are hourly street meters on several park roads including: Balboa Drive · El Prado · Juniper Road · Presidents Way · Quince Drive · Zoo Drive · Village Place · 6th Avenue (Elm to Upas) · Park Boulevard
Enforcement: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Rate: $2.50 per hour, up to $10 per day
4-hour limit: Meters on 6th Avenue and Park Boulevard
PAID PARKING LOTS
Parking lots are available throughout the park. Rates vary by proximity to the center of the parkand are divided into three levels: View a map of the Balboa Parking lots. Discounts are available for verified City of San Diego residents (more information below).
Enforcement: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Rate: Varies by lot
Level 1 Parking Lots
Space Theatre (Fleet Science Center) · Casa de Balboa · Alcazar · Organ Pavilion · Palisades · Bea Evenson · South Carousel
Verified resident rate: $5 for up to four hours; $8 full day
Nonresident rate: $10 for up to four hours; $16 full day
Level 2 Parking Lots
Pepper Grove · Upper Inspiration Point · Marston Point · Federal
Verified resident rate: $5 per day
Nonresident rate: $10 per day
Level 3 Parking Lot
Lower Inspiration Point
Verified resident rate: First three hours free; $5 full day
Nonresident rate: First three hours free; $10 full day
ADA ACCESIBLE PARKING
Parking continues to be free, with no time limit, at parking meters in and near Balboa Park for those with a Disabled Person license plate or placard. Free ADA parking is also available in the parking lots, but only in the blue parking spaces marked for disabled parking.
PARKING PASSES
Monthly, quarterly and annual parking passes are available for purchase for both verified residents of the City of San Diego and for non-residents on the city’s online portal.
Monthly Pass
City Verified Resident Rate: $30
Non-resident Rate: $40
Quarterly Pass
City Verified Resident Rate: $60
Non-resident Rate: $120
Annual Pass
City Verified Resident Rate: $150
Non-resident Rate: $300
Step-by-step instructions on how to use the online portal.
PAY BY PLATE PARKING
Parking meters have been installed in each lot and on roads within the park.
How to use the meters:
- Press any key to start
- Enter your license plate number
- Pay using your credit card, smartwatch, smartphone, or coins (dollar bills not accepted). A $0.35 vendor credit card fee will be applied to all card transactions.
- Select time with the +/- button.
Quarterly Pass
City Verified Resident Rate: $60
Non-resident Rate: $120
Annual Pass
City Verified Resident Rate: $150
Non-resident Rate: $300
BALBOA PARK TRAMS
Free tram service will continue to serve visitors to Balboa Park with expanded hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. This free tram provides access to Balboa Park from Tram Central at the Inspiration Point Parking Lot (east of Park Blvd. at Presidents Way) to a drop-off station at the Plaza de Panama, a short walk down El Prado from the Globe. Trams leave every 10 to 12 minutes, and follow a loop route through the park. All trams are equipped with ADA-accessible ramps. For more information visit https://www.sandiego.gov/park–
For questions about parking in Balboa Park, please see the City’s Frequently Asked Questions section on their website: https://www.sandiego.