Parking Rates Increasing at a Few Select Locations Along the San Diego Bay Waterfront; Thousands of Parking Spaces Will Remain Free

As part of the Port of San Diego’s commitment to provide public access to San Diego Bay and the surrounding waterfront, and due to increasing demand for parking, some parking rates at Port meters and pay stations will soon increase, while others will remain unchanged, and thousands will remain free. 

These changes, some effective April 2, 2025, and some on July 1, 2025, are an effort by the Port to continue to boost parking space turnover, ensuring more visitors and residents can prosper from and enjoy the unique opportunities on the dynamic San Diego Bay waterfront. The Port manages approximately 9,400 parking spaces and approximately 2,900 spaces are free including at many of the Port’s parks. Parking at the following parks will remain free:

The Port has a responsibility under the Port Act and the Coastal Act to provide and protect public access to the waterfront, and parking is part of that access. Additionally, the Port is an independent public agency and does not collect taxes. Instead, revenue from parking, rent paid to the Port by bayfront businesses, and other sources helps fund essential public services provided by the Port, including the maintenance of 22 (soon to be 23) public parks, Harbor Police public safety and law enforcement, environmental protection and conservation, public art, access to public amenities, businesses and attractions, restaurants and shops around San Diego Bay, and more. 

All parking rate adjustments remain within the range of $1.00 to $2.50 per hour allowed by current San Diego Unified Port District Code. The Port understands a rate increase, no matter how small, may contribute to financial strain for residents and visitors; however, the Port has not increased parking rates since 2017, and the current maximum rate of $2.50 remains one of the lowest hourly parking rates among large cities in California. Additionally, these adjustments provide consistency with City-metered parking nearby and help reduce confusion for the public. 

Currently, there are 10 free parking holidays at the locations noted below.

The following parking rates will be effective on April 2, 2025, and July 1, 2025: (Click here for additional Port parking information.)

• Spanish Landing Park – Parking rates at the Spanish Landing pay stations and via the payment apps, which cover 219 spaces, will increase from $1.00 to $2.00 per hour on April 2, 2025, and from $2.00 to $2.50 per hour on July 1, 2025. Enforcement will continue seven days per week from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with a 4-hour maximum daily time limit.
   

• Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South – Parking rates at Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South will increase from $1.75 to $2.50 per hour on April 2, 2025. Enforcement will continue seven days per week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South are open daily from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Early morning hours prior to 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. will remain free. There is a 3-hour time limit during enforcement hours.
   

• Shelter Island – Rates for the Port’s 283 parking meters on Shelter Island will increase from $1.25 to $2.25 per hour on April 2, 2025, and from $2.25 to $2.50 per hour on July 1, 2025. Enforcement will continue seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is a 3-hour time limit at the meters and pay stations and via the payment apps. More than 1,200 parking spaces will remain free of charge on Shelter Island, including at Shoreline Park.

Parking meter, pay stations, and app-based payment rates along the North Embarcadero will remain at $2.50 per hour. This includes areas from the Crescent (across from Solar Turbines and just northwest of Grape Street) along the Embarcadero waterfront to the parking around and behind Ruocco Park, including in Tuna Harbor Park and along Harbor Drive. Meters, pay stations and payment via apps will continue to be enforced seven days per week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Crescent area has a 4-hour time limit, while all other areas have a 3-hour time limit during enforcement hours.

Parking along San Diego Bay is in high demand, especially during the summer months. Enforcing parking rates and time limits helps support increased demand and allows for more visitors and residents to find parking and enjoy the waterfront. The Port encourages visitors who plan to spend the day on the waterfront and at its various diverse attractions to park in locations with time limits longer than 3-4 hours, such as nearby parking lots and garages. See below for alternative parking options near the San Diego Bay waterfront.

Longer-term parking options*:

• B Street Pier parking lot (open for public parking on most non-cruise ship days – see posted signs)

• Navy Pier parking lot (next to the USS Midway Museum)

• Seaport Village/Headquarters parking

• Convention Center parking garage

• Bayfront parking garage (adjacent to the Hilton Bayfront Hotel with a bridge to Petco Park)

• Spring Hill Suites & InterContinental Hotels (Lane Field)

• Wyndham Bayfront Hotel

• Manchester Grant Hyatt Hotel

• Manchester parking lot (corner of Broadway & Pacific Highway)

• America’s Cup Harbor parking lots off Harbor Drive in Point Loma

• IQHQ parking garage (access underground parking off Pacific Hwy between Broadway & Harbor Drive)

• BOSA parking lot (corner of Broadway & Pacific Hwy)

• County of San Diego Kettner/Cedar Street parking garage (evenings and weekends)

• County of San Diego Waterfront Park (underground parking garage on Ash Street/evenings & weekends)

• Many more garages and parking lots within a 1-mile radius in downtown San Diego

  *Check individual locations for pricing and parking availability.