Parking
The City of Santa Cruz has 20 parking locations in the downtown area. Six of them are free, with time limits. The other locations are paid parking. The map below shows the locations of the parking lots. For information about a particular lot, click on the number of the lot.
Free-Short Term Parking:
Available in designated downtown public parking lots. Two- or three-hour time limits are enforced Monday through Saturday 8 AM to 6 PM and are not enforced on Sundays and City Holidays.
Paid Parking
To park longer than 2 – 3 hours, park at one of our pay-by-space lots, pay-n-display lots, or an attended parking facility (Locust Garage, Soquel/Front Garage). Downtown pay-by-space pay stations accept credit cards, City of Santa Cruz ParkCards, or cash. Beach area pay stations accept ParkCards, cash, and Parkmobile.
Downtown Pay lots cost $1.25 per hour. Maximum $10.00 per day. (The maximum per day has been temporarily set at $5, due to COVID-19.)
- A) Soquel Front Garage EV Charging Station
- B) Locust Street Garage
- C) Lot No. 2: The Walnut Tree Parking Lot Free Parking
- D) Lot No. 3: The Cedar/Church Garage
- E) Lot No. 4: The Cedar/Cathcart Parking Lot
- F) Lot No. 6: The Civic Auditorium Parking Lot
- G) Lot No. 7: The Front/Cathcart Parking Lot
- H) Lot No. 8: The Pearl Alley Parking Lot EV Charging Station
- I) Lot No. 9: The Elm Street Parking Lot
- J) Lot No. 10: River/Front Garage EV Charging Station
- K) Lot No. 11: The Front Street South Parking Lot Free Parking
- L) Lot No. 12: The South Pacific Avenue Parking Lot Free Parking EV Charging Station
- M) Lot No. 13: The City Hall Parking Lot Free Parking
- N) Lot No. 14: The Central Branch Library Parking Lot Free Parking
- O) Lot No. 16: The Sentinel Parking Lot
- P) Lot No. 17: The Laurel Street Extension Permit Parking Lot
- Q) Lot No. 26: The Police Department Parking Lot Free Parking
Parkmobile
You can register for a Parkmobile account by calling the dedicated number posted on parking meters, street signage or via the Internet. After setting up your account, you can start using the system with your registered mobile phone immediately. To get more information about how Parkmobile works for the City of Santa Cruz read the Parkmobile Brochure [PDF].
Park Cards
ParkCards work in parking meters, pay stations, and bike lockers. Buy one at the Locust Garage Parking Office, Public Works Office, Water Dept. Office, Parks and Rec Office and the London Nelson Community Center. ParkCards allow you to pay for only the time that you use to park your vehicle. Unused time is refunded to the card at parking meters.
Parking Permits
Permit Parking is available to downtown residents and employees throughout the City. Contact the Parking Office at 420-6100 or visit the City’s website, Parking Services page: http://www.cityofsantacruz.com. Lot permits are sold at the Parking Office at 124 Locust St. Call 831-420-6100 for more information.
Metered Parking
Meters in the Downtown area operate everyday 8 AM to 8 PM. Beach area meters operate everyday 8 AM to 8 PM.
City of Santa Cruz ParkCards are accepted at all Santa Cruz parking meters except on Pacific Avenue between Laurel aand Water Street, where credit cards are accepted
Change Machines
Parking meter change is available at change machines located on Pacific Ave. in the Downtown area and at many locations in the Beach area
Smart Bicycle Lockers
A Smart Bicycle Locker is a bike locker in downtown Santa Cruz that can be accessed by using a ParkCard. For 5 cents per hour your bicycle will be safe and secure as you work, shop, and enjoy beautiful Downtown Santa Cruz. There are over 100 bicycle lockers available.
Free Downtown Parking on Holidays
The free/time limited parking lots and metered parking are not enforced on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The 24 minute meters and loading zones will still be enforced as usual.
For more information please contact:
Parking Programs Manager
831-420-5184
email
Parking Superintendent
831-420-5114
email
General Parking Inquiries
831-420-5185