As of March 2nd, the City Council has implemented significant changes to the Balboa Park parking program in response to community feedback and concerns. 

Under the original plan, paid parking was enforced daily from 8 am to 8 pm in many of the parking lots and along park roadways. While verified City of San Diego residents were offered discounted rates, many residents expressed concerns about the cost and accessibility of visiting Balboa Park. “I think it’s weird. I feel like we live here … so we should be allowed to park in Balboa,” said UC San Diego student Samantha Olivar, expressing frustration with the paid parking system.

After months of complaints and multiple instances of vandalism of the parking meters, the City Council has finally approved modifications to the plan that designate level 2 and level 3 parking lots for verified residents at no cost. These lots will remain pay lots for non-residents, and parking enforcement hours will now end 2 hours earlier, at 6 pm. The Palidases and Bea Evenson parking lots have been reclassified as level 2 parking lots, making them accessible to residents at no charge. ADA parking will be free throughout the entire park for vehicles with valid disabled placards or license plates. 

Paid parking for all will continue to be enforced in level 1 lots, the busiest areas with the highest demand for parking within the park. Residents interested in taking advantage of the discounted or free parking must register through the city’s website and pay a one-time $5 verification fee per vehicle to access those benefits.