Where to Park in San Diego

The park's own lots are free; the city does not meter them. None inside the park; paid garages sit outside the park in Bankers Hill and Hillcrest. Hardest at: weekend and holiday late mornings, when the small museum lots fill first.

The lots closest to the museums fill earliest; driving between them wastes more time than parking once and riding the tram.

Without a car: MTS bus routes serve Park Boulevard and the Sixth Avenue edge of the park.

The Zoo lot is free; overflow park lots nearby are also free. None at the Zoo lot itself. Hardest at: summer, school holidays and any morning after about 10am.

When the main lot is full, use a nearby park lot and the tram rather than circling the entrance loop.

Without a car: MTS bus to Park Boulevard, then a short walk to the entrance.

No free parking is published here. SeaWorld's on-site lot, with pricier rows closer to the gate. Hardest at: summer mornings and event nights, when the entry queue backs onto SeaWorld Drive.

Parking is never included with admission, and the gate price is higher than the prepaid price.

Without a car: MTS bus to the park entrance area from Old Town Transit Center.

No free parking is published here. The museum's Navy Pier lot, with a seasonal rate and a higher special-event rate. Hardest at: cruise-ship days and waterfront event days, when the pier lots fill early.

The six-hour band matters — going over it moves you to the higher rate.

Without a car: Trolley to Santa Fe Depot or the County Center stop, then a walk along the waterfront.

State historic park visitor lots are free, and there is free time-limited street parking on the surrounding blocks. Private lots around San Diego Avenue and the Old Town Transit Center area. Hardest at: weekend lunch hours, Cinco de Mayo, Día de los Muertos and other festival days.

Read the posted limit on each block; the free lots are small and fill by late morning on weekends.

Without a car: Old Town Transit Center is served by the Blue and Green trolley lines, the COASTER, Amtrak and several bus routes.

No free parking is published here. LEGOLAND's general and preferred parking. Hardest at: summer, spring break and holiday weekends.

Parking is separate from admission and from the water park and aquarium gates.

Without a car: COASTER to Carlsbad Village or Poinsettia, then a connecting bus or rideshare.

Free time-limited street parking in the Village and free parking at La Jolla Shores when you arrive early. Private lots and structures in the Village. Hardest at: summer weekends and any warm morning from mid-morning onward.

Posted time limits are enforced on the Cove-adjacent blocks; do not leave valuables visible.

Without a car: MTS bus routes connect the Village with University City and Pacific Beach.

Free street parking with posted limits on the commercial blocks and longer stays on residential blocks. Hotel and private lots, which are priced for guests rather than day visitors. Hardest at: summer weekends, holiday weekends and the Fourth of July.

Beach-adjacent blocks are residential; keep driveways and corners clear and read each block's limit.

Without a car: The Coronado ferry from downtown, plus MTS bus service across the bridge.

Public beach and bay lots and unmetered streets, where a space is available. Private lots near Belmont Park and the boardwalk. Hardest at: every warm weekend from mid-morning, plus summer evenings and holidays.

Alley and driveway blocking is actively enforced here, and coastal lots have posted closing hours.

Without a car: MTS bus routes along Mission Boulevard from Old Town and downtown.

Unmetered residential streets and public beach lots, subject to posted limits. Private lots near Garnet Avenue and the pier. Hardest at: weekend afternoons, sunset and any summer evening around Garnet Avenue.

Street sweeping and posted limits catch visitors on residential blocks; check the sign on your exact block.

Without a car: MTS bus along Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard.

The public beach lots and most surrounding streets. A small number of private lots near Newport Avenue. Hardest at: warm weekends, sunset and Wednesday market hours on Newport Avenue.

Coastal lots post closing hours; do not assume a daytime space can hold a car overnight.

Without a car: MTS bus routes into Ocean Beach from Point Loma and downtown.

Roadside parking outside the reserve gate, where posted signs allow it. State park day-use parking, priced by day and by lot. Hardest at: weekend and holiday mornings, when the upper lot fills first.

State park rates and hours are set by California State Parks and differ from city beach lots.

Without a car: MTS bus along North Torrey Pines Road, then a walk to the reserve entrance.

No free parking is published here. District garages such as Park it on Market and the 6th & K Parkade, plus metered street spaces. Hardest at: padres home games, major conventions, festivals and weekend nights.

Meter hours, rates and limits differ by block, and event conditions override the ordinary pattern.

Without a car: Trolley to Gaslamp Quarter or 12th & Imperial.

No free parking is published here. Official ballpark lots and East Village garages, priced as event parking. Hardest at: every home game, and any game that overlaps a convention or concert.

Event pricing and traffic controls replace ordinary downtown rules on game days.

Without a car: Trolley Green and Orange lines to 12th & Imperial or Gaslamp Quarter.

No free parking is published here. The centre's own underground garage and nearby waterfront structures. Hardest at: comic-Con and any large citywide convention.

Show days bring street closures and re-entry limits; confirm exit hours before a late night.

Without a car: Trolley to Gaslamp Quarter or Convention Center stops.

No free parking is published here. Stadium lots, sold by event. Hardest at: aztecs football, San Diego FC matches and stadium concerts.

Lots sell out for big events and on-site sales are not guaranteed.

Without a car: Trolley Green Line to Stadium station, which is a short walk to the gates.

No free parking is published here. Track general and preferred parking, priced by day. Hardest at: opening day, weekend race days and concert nights during the summer meet.

Race-day traffic controls change the approach roads; check the track's directions before leaving.

Without a car: COASTER to Solana Beach with race-day shuttle service.

The Cell Phone Lot is free for a short wait while a passenger lands. Terminal Parking Plazas, the economy lot and curbside valet. Hardest at: holiday travel periods, when the terminal plazas reach capacity.

Aggregator sites publish out-of-date airport rates; use the airport's own parking page.

Without a car: The Route 992 bus, the airport shuttle from the Old Town Transit Center, and rideshare pickup zones.

No free parking is published here. Port terminal parking and nearby downtown structures. Hardest at: cruise embarkation mornings, especially when two ships sail the same day.

Terminal parking capacity is limited on double-ship days; confirm with the Port before sailing.

Without a car: Trolley to Santa Fe Depot, then a short walk or rideshare to the pier.

No free parking is published here. CBX short-term and long-term lots on the San Diego side. Hardest at: holiday weeks and long weekends, when long-term spaces sell out.

Rates differ between the short-term and long-term lots; check CBX's own page before booking.

Without a car: MTS bus and rideshare to the CBX terminal.