At a Glance
- San Diego residents can get discounted parking passes for Balboa Park by verifying their address online.
- A one-time $5 registration fee is required, and verification can take up to two business days.
- Passes are available for hourly, daily, monthly, and annual use, and kiosks currently cannot verify residency.
- Why it matters: Residents will save on parking costs when visiting the park, starting Monday.
San Diego’s city council has rolled out a new parking pass program for Balboa Park that offers residents a discount after a $5 registration fee. The program starts Monday, the day the city begins charging for all surface lots except the Zoo’s lot.
How to Get a Discounted Pass
Residents must register on the city’s portal, sandiego.thepermitportal.com, and pay the $5 fee. Verification can take up to two business days, so early application is advised.
- Visit the portal and create an account.
- Pay the $5 registration fee.
- Wait up to two business days for address verification.
Parking Pass Options
Passes cover hourly, daily, monthly, and annual periods. Kiosks can accept coins, credit cards, Apple Pay, and online payments, but they cannot verify residency yet.
Nicole Darling
> “You can pay at the kiosk with coins, or with a credit card, you can also use Apple Pay, and then online payments are accepted as well,”
Parking Rates
Rates vary by lot level. Below is a comparison of daily and hourly prices for non-residents and residents.
| Lot Level | Non-resident (day) | Resident (day) | Non-resident (4 hrs) | Resident (4 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Space Theater, Casa de Balboa, Alcazar, Organ Pavilion, Bea Evenson, Palisades, South Carousel) | $16 | $8 | $10 | $5 |
| Level 2 (Pepper Grove, Federal, Upper Inspiration Point, Marston Point) | $10 | $5 | – | – |
| Level 3 (Lower Inspiration Point) | $10 (first 3 hrs free) | $5 (first 3 hrs free) | – | – |
Monthly and annual passes are also available for each lot. Outside the park, meters on roads will charge $2.50 per hour, capped at $10 per day, and monthly/annual passes do not apply.
Other Parking Details
Disabled parking remains free in blue ADA spaces. The city will also expand tram service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and provide a free shuttle for employees and volunteers.
Sue Walker
> “No, it’s not fair,” Walker told NBC 7 reporter M.G. Perez.
Key Takeaways
- Residents must register online and pay a $5 fee to qualify for discounted rates.
- Passes are available for hourly, daily, monthly, and annual use.
- Disabled parking remains free, and tram service will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
With the new pass system, San Diego residents can keep enjoying Balboa Park while saving on parking costs, but they should register early to secure a discount.
