Return to free Balboa Park parking about to begin, but only in select lots for verified city residents

Limited free parking for city residents at Balboa Park will begin Monday after widespread criticism of the attempt to raise much-needed city revenue.

The move, promised by Mayor Todd Gloria almost three weeks ago, followed loud objections to new parking fees at the popular attraction from across the spectrum. Council members called for the fees to be lifted for city residents or wiped away entirely and stewards of Balboa Park attractions said attendance was suffering. Political opponents, meanwhile, saw opportunity in the quagmire.

Those who live in San Diego will be able to park for free in seven lots, the city reiterated Thursday, provided that they register online: Pepper Grove, Federal, Upper Inspiration Point, Lower Inspiration Point, Marston Point, Palisades and Bea Evenson lots.

Though the city said free parking will be available Monday, enforcement won’t begin until March 9, when warnings will be issued. After March 16, cars will start to be cited.

Residents will continue to be charged to park in premium lots such as the Space Theater, Casa de Balboa, Alcazar, Organ Pavilion and South Carousel lots. The cost is $5 for up to four hours or $8 for a full day.  

There continues to be no olive branch, however, for those who reside outside the city. The fees, which are higher for non-residents, will remain in effect for tourists and those who live in the rest of San Diego County, despite criticism from local mayors.

There is one change that benefits everyone: Parking enforcement will end at 6 p.m. rather than 8 p.m. It starts at 8 a.m.

In addition, drivers with a disabled license plate or placard may park for free all day at any available spot in the parking lots and on park roads, not just those marked in blue for ADA parking.  

To obtain free parking, city of San Diego residents must plan ahead and register their vehicle’s license plate at the city’s permit portal. They cannot do so at the new parking kiosks in lots throughout Balboa Park.

Everyone who uses the portal, residents and non-residents alike, need to pay the one-time $5 registration fee to cover the vendor’s costs to process applications for free parking or create accounts for paid permits. 

To be verified as a city of San Diego resident, applicants must upload one document proving residency, such as a driver’s license, utility bill, property tax bill or rental agreement. 

Following registration city of San Diego residents will need to select the General, Level 2 and Level 3 free parking pass. Once verified, the account and free pass are valid for three years. 

The City Council approved the mayor’s parking fee plan last fall. Revenues generated from the move must be spent on maintenance and upkeep of Balboa Park, but leaders hoped that having a new funding source would free up money in the general fund for other needs.

The city faced a deficit last year and, with some revenues falling short of projections, needs to balance the budget at mid-year ahead of another expected shortfall in the coming fiscal year.

Though he relented on some Balboa Park parking fees, Gloria warned on Feb. 6 that there will be consequences. With reduced revenues, city leaders must “identify other service-level reductions in order to keep the budget balanced,” he said. 

The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership warned on Jan. 21 that the park’s popular museums and other attractions had seen attendance drops, in some cases dramatically, since the fees took effect Jan. 5.

Executive Director Peter Comiskey called the mayor’s decision “start of movement in the right direction,” but said they would like to see more done for regional residents because “access to the park is essential not only to city residents, but to people from throughout the county who have depended on and supported the park for generations.”