Parking meters won't matter from Nov. 30 to Jan. 1, as the city again allows free two-hour parking in commercial corridors for the holiday shopping season.
San Diego, California – The Port of San Diego is set to raise parking meter rates at several waterfront locations in two phases, with the first round of increases beginning on April 2 and the second on July 1. This marks the first adjustment to parking fees since 2017, as the agency aims to improve turnover during the busy summer months and enhance access to the waterfront.
According to port officials, the rate increases will help reduce the time drivers spend searching for parking while also generating revenue to maintain public parks, restaurants, and other facilities along the bay.
Several popular waterfront destinations will see price hikes, with some areas experiencing a doubling of current rates:
- Spanish Landing Park – Rates will increase from $1.00 to $2.00 per hour on April 2, followed by another increase to $2.50 on July 1.
- Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South – Rates will rise from $1.75 to $2.50 per hour on April 2. No additional increase is planned for July.
- Shelter Island – The cost will jump from $1.25 to $2.25 per hour on April 2, with another increase to $2.50 on July 1.
Despite these changes, more than 1,200 parking spaces will remain free on Shelter Island and at Shoreline Park. The Port of San Diego manages approximately 9,400 parking spaces, with about 30%—or 2,900 spaces—remaining free at locations such as Cesar Chavez Park, Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Coronado Ferry Landing Park, and Pepper Park in National City.
The Port, a self-funded public agency overseeing 34 miles of coastline around San Diego Bay, says parking fees play a crucial role in funding essential services. The revenue generated will help cover maintenance costs for 22 public parks and support businesses and law enforcement through the Harbor Police Department.
The decision follows a broader trend of parking rate hikes across San Diego. City leaders recently announced plans to raise parking fees at approximately 4,500 meters throughout the city to help address a $250 million budget deficit.
While the increases may pose an inconvenience for some visitors, Port officials argue that they are necessary to maintain the bayfront’s infrastructure and ensure that more people can access and enjoy the waterfront. The phased rollout of the new rates aims to ease the transition for residents and tourists alike.
