Paid Parking for Balboa Park
For parking lots within Balboa Park, paid parking is enforced from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with discounts available for verified City of San Diego residents.
Free Parking Options (As of March 2026):
The cost of each parking lot will vary, depending on how close it is to the center of the park.
City of San Diego residents get a reduced fee.San Diego city residents can park free except for Space Theater, Casa de Balboa, Alcazar, Organ Pavilion and South Carousel lots.
You need to register with the city in order to get the residential lower fee or to park free. It costs $5 to register.
Go to https://www.sandiego.gov/parking/balboapark
In order to buy a pass, go to
https://sandiego.thepermitportal.com
NOTE: Before you try to use this site you should pre purchase a pass several days before you need it. The office is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, The pass needs to be pre-approved before you use it.
Free Parking Options (As of March 2026):
- Registered City Residents: Free, unlimited parking in designated Level 2 and Level 3 lots (including Pepper Grove, Federal, and both Inspiration Point lots). You must register your license plate in advance via the City’s onlie portal.
- Non-Residents: Free 3-hour parking at the Lower Inspiration Point lot (Presidents Way).
- For the House of Sweden, the Federal lot is the one by the Aerospace museum. The organ pavilion lot is a level 1 lot, and city residents cannot park free there.
The cost of each parking lot will vary, depending on how close it is to the center of the park.
City of San Diego residents get a reduced fee.San Diego city residents can park free except for Space Theater, Casa de Balboa, Alcazar, Organ Pavilion and South Carousel lots.
You need to register with the city in order to get the residential lower fee or to park free. It costs $5 to register.
Go to https://www.sandiego.gov/parking/balboapark
In order to buy a pass, go to
https://sandiego.thepermitportal.com
NOTE: Before you try to use this site you should pre purchase a pass several days before you need it. The office is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, The pass needs to be pre-approved before you use it.
- Level 1 lots: Space Theater, Casa de Balboa, Alcazar, Organ Pavilion, Palisades, Bea Evenson and South Carousel
- Verified resident rate: no charge for the
- Nonresident rate: $10 for up to four hours; $16 full day
- Level 2 lots: Pepper Grove, Upper Inspiration Point, Marston Point and Federal
- Verified resident rate: $5 per day
- Nonresident rate: $10 per day
- Level 3 lot: Lower Inspiration Point
- Verified resident rate: First three hours free; $5 full day
- Nonresident rate: First three hours free; $10 full day
- Parking Passes:
Monthly: $30 (Resident) / $40 (Non-Resident).
Quarterly: $60 (Resident) / $120 (Non-Resident).
Annual: $150 (Resident) / $300 (Non-Resident).
Free Parking: Lower Inspiration Point offers the first 3 hours free for visitors.