Avoid expensive tickets by learning tips and tricks to find the best street parking in San Diego.
The city of San Diego is known for its steep inclines and breathtaking views of the bay. It’s a crowded city and parking can get competitive but luckily, the city has plans in place to increase the number of street parking spots available to residents and non-residents alike. A portion of all metered parking revenue even goes to developing new parking spots, parking garages, and programs. Keep reading to find out about San Diego’s colored curbs, metered parking rules, overnight parking rules, and more.
Parking is prohibited:
The City manages approximately 5,700 metered parking spaces. Currently, meters accept payments from the following:
No Parking: If no hours are specified, you’re not allowed to park here at any time. Check the sign for specified hours to see whether certain times of day are unrestricted.
Street Sweeping: During street sweeping hours, your car will get towed if you park near this sign. Check out our street sweeping guide to learn more.
Residential Parking: Only cars with residential parking permits can park here. You can apply for residential and visitor parking permits online.
Free parking downtown is scarce, but it does exist if you know where to look. Find free parking now with this guide.
If you’re looking for overnight parking in residential areas, check the signs nearby and keep the 72-hour rule in mind. If you’re parking in a commercial area or business district, make sure you know exactly when the parking meters begin ticking the morning after you park.
Better yet, visit this San Diego overnight parking map to find out how long you have until the meter begins and use the app to set a phone alert to remind you when you need to move your car.
Keep in mind, no portion of the vehicle should extend into the restricted area or you’re at risk to be ticketed and stay 15 feet away from fire hydrants at all times, regardless of curb color.
A red curb means, “no stopping any time.” When signs are used in place of a red curb, the prohibition is in effect on the days and times specified on the sign otherwise, this restriction is in effect 24/7.
Vehicles are allowed to stop for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers on this curb. The time limit is three minutes or ten minutes in front of a hotel. Passenger loading zones are in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless otherwise posted.
Trucks and commercial vehicles can stop for 20 minutes to load or unload goods. Passenger vehicles may also stop for three minutes to load or unload passengers. These zones are in effect from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday thru Saturday unless otherwise posted.
These curbs are designated by signs and zones are in effect from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday. That means metered parking is free on Sundays!
The majority of parking meters are enforced Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. but if you’re in the Hospitality Zone Downtown or the Hillcrest Commercial Zone in Hillcrest, those meters operate until 8 p.m. Metered parking is free on Sundays. Always check the posted signs for enforcement hours to avoid those pesky tickets. Even moving trucks don’t get a pass – everyone is required to pay the parking meter.
Vehicles displaying a disability placard or license plate from any state are able to park at green curbs and time limit zones with no time restriction. Additionally, disabled drivers can park at any metered parking spot for free!
If you park at a broken meter, the city recommends that you move to a meter that is functioning properly. To report the broken meter, call the Parking Meter Shop at (800) 808-5998. Keep track of the number on the parking meter before you call, which can be found on a metal plate toward the bottom of the meter, on the street side.
If you have a parking ticket in San Diego, pay it within 21 days or risk an even higher bill! The city of San Diego also offers a payment plan for low-income residents. Find out more about that program on their website. Here are the most common parking tickets and their costs:
| Ticket | Cost | First Late Fee | Second Late Fee |
| Wrong-way parking on a one-way street | $59.50 | $47.00 | $10.00 |
| Failing to cramp wheels while parking on a grade | $59.50 | $47.00 | $10.00 |
| Parking or standing in a fire lane | $77.50 | $65.00 | $10.00 |
| Vehicle was not moved in 72 hours | $53.50 | $41.00 | $10.00 |
| Parking in a loading zone | $57.50 | $45.00 | $10.00 |
| Expired meter | $42.50 | $30.00 | $10.00 |
| Overnight parking in a restricted area | $59.50 | $47.00 | $10.00 |
| Temporary no parking / Tow-away zone | $52.50 | $40.00 | $10.00 |
| Parking in a disabled space without a placard | $452.50 | $0.00 | $10.00 |
Drivers with parking tickets are encouraged to pay online using the city’s website.
If you believe your vehicle may have been towed by the City of San Diego, search AutoReturn, the website the city uses to document towed vehicles. If you’re unable to locate your vehicle using AutoReturn, call the Police Non-Emergency phone number at (619) 531-2000.
Parking enforcement holidays are limited to parking meters, yellow commercial zones, short-term green zones and 1- to 2-hour time parking zones. All other parking regulations are enforced on the following holidays. Be sure to read parking signage for time frame restrictions and parking guidelines.
| Start Date | Parking Holiday | End Date |
| 2024-01-01 | New Year's Day | 2024-01-01 |
| 2024-01-15 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | 2024-01-15 |
| 2024-02-19 | Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | 2024-02-19 |
| 2024-04-01 | Cesar Chavez Day(Observed) | 2024-04-01 |
| 2024-05-27 | Memorial Day | 2024-05-27 |
| 2024-07-04 | Independence Day | 2024-07-04 |
| 2024-09-02 | Labor Day | 2024-09-02 |
| 2024-11-11 | Veterans day | 2024-11-11 |
| 2024-11-28 | Thanksgiving Day | 2024-11-28 |
| 2024-12-25 | Christmas Day | 2024-12-25 |
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