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yesterday

San Diego Begins Paid Parking at Balboa Park With Tiered Rates and Resident Passes

Revenue from the rollout is earmarked for park upkeep to help address a $250 million budget gap.

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An NBC 7 San Diego news vehicle parked near one of the new parking kiosks in Balboa Park.
Mike Omara, who has been coming to Balboa Park for 40 years, looks at a parking kiosk in Balboa Park that wasn’t working properly on Monday, the day paid parking began, Jan. 5, 2026 in San Diego. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Overview

  • Enforcement started Monday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. across most park lots, with the San Diego Zoo operating a separate program for its lot.
  • City residents can obtain discounted passes by registering a vehicle online for a one-time $5 fee, with address verification taking up to two business days and no on-site residency verification at kiosks yet.
  • Passes are virtual and tied to license plates on a per-vehicle basis, and payment can be made at kiosks or online, though the Park Smarter app is not supported for this program.
  • Lower Inspiration Point offers three free hours when activated online before parking, has 951 spaces with reported student-marked stalls that are not legally reserved, and charges a full-day rate if the stay exceeds the free period.
  • Street meters are being installed inside and around the park at $2.50 per hour with a $10 daily maximum, with passes valid only for meters inside the park, while ADA spaces remain free and the zoo lot charges nonmembers $16 per day with complimentary parking for registered members.