Our guide to parking in San Francisco

May 27, 2024 4 min read
Nervous about where to park in San Francisco?

Visiting San Francisco by car? You're probably already nervous about where to park in San Francisco. Like any big city, parking in San Francisco can be a nightmare. Street parking is tricky and off-street parking is expensive. Plus, there's no guarantee you'll find a spot when you need it. But don't worry, we've gathered all the information you need to park safely and affordably in San Francisco.

Parking in San Francisco: what you need to know

Before you find out where to park in San Francisco, let's take a look at what you need to know about the city.

Basic on-street parking guidelines for San Francisco

If you want to park your car on the street, don't block the driveways. Your car could be towed. In San Francisco, don't park your car in the same spot for more than 72 hours. You must find another parking space before this time expires. Do not park your car in red spaces marked with SFFD, SFMTA or DPT logos. You can park in green curb spaces, but be aware that they are reserved for short-term parking, from 10 to 30 minutes.

The different colors of the sidewalks in San Francisco

Sidewalk colors are an important factor in determining parking rules on San Francisco's streets. Let's take a look at each colored zone.

  • Green: as mentioned above, a green lot is for short-stay parking only. You can usually find one near banks, post offices, or ATMs.
  • Yellow: commercial loading or unloading only. Sometimes these are 5-minute parking spaces. Check nearby parking signs.
  • White: pick up or drop off only. You can find these parking spaces near hospitals, schools, restaurants, bars, and offices.
  • Blue: parking is available only to disabled drivers. These restrictions are in effect 24/7.
  • Red: you can't park in these parking spaces. They are usually located in residential areas.
  • No colored signs: usually OK to park but check any meters on the streets.

Parking app in San Francisco

While in San Francisco, you can use a parking app to help you find, reserve, and pay for parking. Download an app and find the closest parking lot or garage. It's a convenient way to plan your trip around the city. The most popular apps are ParkWhizz and ParkMobile.

Pay parking lots in San Francisco

Paid parking is available on most streets in San Francisco. See this helpful map for more information. Parking meters operate from Monday through Saturday in San Francisco. Free parking is available on Sundays when meters are suspended. Note that meters are not suspended in the Fisherman's Wharf and Embarcadero zones.

Parking meters in San Francisco have a maximum time limit of 2 or 4 hours. Meter rates vary from area to area. Downtown streets are the most expensive. You can pay the meter with coins, cards, or prepaid parking cards. You can also pay by phone or with a parking app.

Free or cheap parking in San Francisco

San Francisco has many private off-street or city-owned parking lots. But it's no secret that most parking garages and lots in San Francisco are very expensive. The only way to find a cheaper parking lot for the day is to reserve a space in a garage. The parking apps that we mentioned above are a great way to do this. By using a parking app, you can also take advantage of special rates and discounts.

Where to park your car at night in San Francisco?

You can usually park your car on the street after the meters are turned off for the day. If you can't find a spot, your other option is a 24-hour public garage such as the Union Square Garage or the Sutter-Stockton Garage.

Find a garage to park your vehicle in San Francisco

Still wondering where to park in San Francisco? There are a few garages where you can leave your car during the day.

Jessie Square Garage

This 380-space secure underground garage is located in the heart of the cultural center. Jessie Square Garage is the closest garage to Chinatown and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Parking costs $5 per hour, $25 for 12 hours and $35 for a day.

Sutter Stockton Garage

This 1,865-space garage is surrounded by various hotels and supermarkets and is located south of Chinatown. It costs $5 per hour, $38 for 12 hours and $44 for a day.

Ellis O'Farrell Garage

This garage has 535 spaces and is located near the Market Street Station. Depending on the time of the day, it costs $4 to $6 per hour, $38 for 12 hours and $44 for a day.

Let's take a look at where to park in San Francisco's most famous places and at the San Francisco airport.

San Francisco airport parking

Depending on your parking needs, San Francisco International Airport offers five garages. The Domestic Garage with 1,631 available spaces. The International Garage A with 883 available spaces. The International Garage G with 612 available spaces. The ParkFast with 54 available spaces and the Long-Term parking with 2,096 available spaces. You can book and pay for parking directly on the SFO website.

Chinatown parking in San Francisco

Unless you are a resident, there is almost no chance of finding street parking. Most of Chinatown is within San Francisco's "Residential Parking Zone C". The easiest way to park your car is to find a garage nearby, such as the Portsmouth Square Plaza Garage or the Sutter Stockton Garage.

Fisherman's Wharf parking in San Francisco

Again, finding street parking in this area is like winning the lottery. The easiest way to visit Fisherman's Wharf is to park your car in the Wharf Garage.

Now you have all the information you need on where to park in San Francisco. Still looking for a rental car? Why not try our simple and secure car rental service in San Francisco? All you need to do is create a profile, search for a car nearby and book your car!

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