Guide to Parking on the San Diego Coast: Tips for Beaches and Popular Coastal Spots
- San Diego Beach Review
- Feb 26
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Navigating parking in San Diego’s coastal areas can be a challenge, especially when visiting popular beaches or spots like Sunset Cliffs, Torrey Pines, and downtown near Seaport Village. If you're wondering on if whether you should rent a car or utilize public transportation, we recommend renting a car, as San Diego is quite spread out, and there is parking available everywhere. With a little planning, you can find convenient parking and enjoy your day stress-free. Here’s everything you need to know about parking in these areas.
Parking at Beaches
Pacific Beach
Free Parking Lots:
Tourmaline Surf Park Lot: Popular with surfers, this smaller lot is closer to the quieter north end of Pacific Beach.
Street Parking:
Residential streets like Law St and Chalcedony St have free parking, but they fill up quickly. Look for time restrictions and avoid blocking driveways. All the streets running both perpendicular and parallel to the ocean have street parking.
Pro Tip: Arrive before 9 AM on weekends or by 8 AM on holidays like the Fourth of July to secure a spot.
See our Guide to Pacific Beach for more information on parking, amenities, activities, and more.
Mission Beach
Free Parking Lots:
Mission Beach Parking Lot: A large free parking lot near Belmont Park, perfect for beachgoers and families. There's parking on each side of Belmont Park, as well as across the street from it as well.
El Carmel Parking Lot: This is about half a mile north of the Belmont Park area and is a great place to park away from the hustle and bustle of the central Mission Beach area. A lot of people might not know about this parking lot, making it ideal if you're looking to visit a less crowded part of Mission Beach. Depending on how close your spot is within this lot, you could still be facing a 5+ minute walk to the beach from here.
Street Parking:
Mission Boulevard has tons of street parking and is about as close as you could possibly get to parking by the beach. Be sure to avoid parking here during the street sweepings to avoid a ticket
Pro Tip: Expect heavy crowds during summer holidays, like the 4th of July. Arrive by 7:30 AM. There's typically a lot of openings throughout the week for street parking on Mission Boulevard, especially after street sweepings. Additionally, on the weekends, around 10am you might find people checking out of their vacation rentals or surfers leaving their morning sessions, making that a good time to find a spot on Mission Boulevard.
See our Guide to Mission Beach for more information parking, activities, water safety, and more.
La Jolla Shores
Free Parking Lots:
La Jolla Shores Beach Lot: Conveniently located next to the beach and kayak launch area.
Street Parking:
Surrounding residential streets like El Paseo Grande and Vallecitos have free parking, but spots are competitive.
Pro Tip: Arrive early, especially on weekends, during spring break, or on holidays like Memorial Day.
See our Guide to La Jolla Shores for more information on parking, activities, and more.
Swami's Beach
Free Parking Lot:
Swami’s Beach Lot: A small parking lot located near the famous surf break and park.
Street Parking:
Nearby residential streets like K St and Highway 101 offer free parking.
Pro Tip: Arrive before 8 AM during weekends in the summer or holidays for the best chance at a spot.
Carlsbad State Beach
Free Parking Options:
Free street parking is available along Carlsbad Blvd, Highway 101, or residential streets like Hemlock Ave., Juniper Ave., etc., though they can all fill up quickly.
Paid Parking:
Parking lots near Tamarack Avenue charge a small fee but offer convenient access.
Pro Tip: Holidays like the Fourth of July bring large crowds—plan to arrive by 7 AM.
See our Guide to Carlsbad State Beach for more information on parking and what to expect when visiting Carlsbad.
Del Mar Beach
Paid Parking:
Seagrove Parking Lot: Paid parking with easy beach access.
Free Parking:
Residential streets like 13th St and 15th St may have free parking, but check for restrictions.
Pro Tip: Arrive by 8 AM during weekends or by 7 AM on summer holidays to avoid full lots.
See for more on Del Mar Beach parking and nearby attractions here.
Moonlight State Beach
Free Parking Lot:
Moonlight Beach Lot: A convenient free lot steps away from the sand.
Street Parking:
Nearby residential streets like C St and 4th St often have free parking.
Pro Tip: Plan to park before 9 AM on weekends or holidays to secure a spot.
See our Guide to Moonlight State Beach for more information on parking, amenities, activities and more.
Windansea Beach
Free Street Parking:
Look for parking along Neptune Pl or nearby residential streets. Spaces are limited, so arrive early.
Pro Tip: Arrive before 8 AM on summer holidays like Labor Day to avoid frustration.
See more information on Windansea Beach parking, activities, and more here.
Coronado Beach
Free Parking Options:
Ocean Boulevard: Free street parking along the beach, but spots near the Hotel del Coronado fill up fast.
Residential Streets:
Streets near Orange Avenue may have free parking, but check for time limits. Residential streets such as F Avenue, Isabella Avenue, Tolita Avenue, and Alameda Boulevard have parking near the Central Coronado Beach area.
Pro Tip: Arrive by 8 AM on holiday weekends or by 7 AM on the Fourth of July for a better chance at parking.
See our Guide to Coronado Beach for more information on parking, water quality, activities, and more.
Ocean Beach
Free Parking Lots:
OB Pier Parking Lot: A convenient option near the main beach and pier.
Brighton Park Parking Lot: Parking lot right on the beach and just steps to the sand
Street Parking:
Residential streets like Cape May St and Long Branch Ave offer free parking with fewer restrictions.
Pro Tip: Avoid midday during weekends and arrive before 9 AM on holidays.
See our Guide to Ocean Beach for more information on visiting here.
Parking at Scenic Coastal Spots
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Parking Tips:
There are small pull-out parking areas along Sunset Cliffs Blvd. These spots are free but limited.
For easier access, try parking further south near Hill Street or Ladera Street, where additional street parking is available.
Pro Tip: Arrive before 8 AM for sunrise or 5 PM for sunset views to avoid crowds, especially on summer weekends and holidays.
See our Guide to Sunset Cliffs for more information on visiting this beautiful San Diego staple.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Paid Parking:
South Beach Lot: $15-$25 per vehicle, depending on the season.
North Beach Lot: Offers similar pricing and access to the beach and trails.
Free Parking:
Free parking is available along N Torrey Pines Road or Carmel Valley Road, which can be a longer walk to the reserve entrance depending on how far back you park.
Pro Tip: Visit on weekdays or early mornings (before 9 AM) to avoid crowds and secure parking.
See our Guide to Torrey Pines for more information.
Cabrillo National Monument (Point Loma)
Paid Parking:
The monument has a large parking lot included with your entrance fee ($20 per vehicle).
Free Parking Nearby:
Limited free parking is available along Catalina Blvd, but it requires a significant walk uphill.
Pro Tip: Holidays like Memorial Day bring heavy crowds—arrive early in the morning.
See our Guide on Cabrillo National Monument for more information.
La Jolla Cove
Free Parking:
Street parking is available along Coast Blvd, but spaces are limited and fill up quickly.
Paid Parking:
There are multiple paid lots close by that you'll see lots of signs for while driving throughout the area. Close to the cove and other attractions, with hourly rates.
Pro Tip: Plan to arrive by 8 AM on weekends or 7 AM on holidays like the Fourth of July to secure parking.
See our Guide to La Jolla Cove for more information on parking, nearby attractions, and more.
Parking in Downtown San Diego
Seaport Village
Paid Parking:
Seaport Village Parking Lots: There are multiple parking lots surrounding Seaport Village. Convenient but costs $5 for the first 2 hours with validation.
Metered Parking:
Nearby streets like Kettner Blvd and Harbor Dr offer metered parking ($1.25-$2.50 per hour).
Pro Tip: Park at the Headquarters at Seaport Village for $2 for 2 hours with validation from participating businesses.
Holiday Note: Parking fills quickly during holiday weekends; arrive early or use public transportation.
Gaslamp Quarter
Paid Parking Garages:
6th & K Parkade: $10-$20 depending on events and timing.
Park It on Market: Budget-friendly, with hourly rates starting at $1.
Street Parking:
Metered parking is available on streets like 5th Ave and G St, but spaces fill quickly, especially during weekends.
Pro Tip: Arrive before 5 PM for evening events or during holiday weekends like Labor Day.
Embarcadero
Paid Lots:
B Street Pier Parking Lot: Convenient for visiting the USS Midway Museum or the Maritime Museum.
Metered Parking:
Streets like G St and Pacific Coast Highway offer metered options close to the waterfront.
Pro Tip: Arrive by 9 AM on weekends or holidays for better parking options.
Tips for Stress-Free Parking
Use Parking Apps: Apps like ParkMobile and SpotHero can help you find and reserve spots in advance.
Arrive Early: Popular locations fill up quickly, especially during weekends and holidays.
Be Prepared to Walk: Sometimes, the best parking options are a short walk from your destination.
Public Transportation: Consider using trolleys, buses, or ride-shares to avoid parking hassles altogether.
With this guide, you’re ready to tackle parking in San Diego’s most beloved coastal areas. Whether you’re heading to the beach, enjoying scenic views, or exploring downtown, a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable day.
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