Tips For Parking In San Francisco This Holiday Season

Whether you are a long-time resident or visitor coming to San Francisco for the holidays, we encourage you to take the train, bus, walk, ride a bike or take a taxi.  If you need to drive, the SFMTA would like for you to have a great parking experience.

Here are tips for parking on the street at one of our meters or in one of our city-owned parking garages.

Parking on the Street

1. Park Smart! If you love it, don’t leave it. To avoid having your vehicle broken into, keep all items/valuables out of plain view; better yet, take them with you upon exiting your vehicle.
2. Visit the parking meter page so you know the parking meter rates.
3. Download the Pay-by-Phone App so you can pay for your parking online.
4. You can extend your parking time at a parking meter with the  Pay-by-Phone App so you don’t have to return to the meter to pay. You can pay by credit card, with Google or Apple Pay.
5. Do not park on the sidewalk—this blocks the path of people walking or using wheelchairs or strollers, and isn’t safe. Your vehicle may be ticketed and/or towed.

Parking Off-Street in Garages & Lots

1. Reminder: Avoid having your vehicle broken into, keep all valuables out of sight or take them with you when you exit your vehicle.
2. Park in one of our city-owned garages or lots. Ours are typically 50 to 60 percent less expensive than parking in a privately-owned garage or at a meter. Visit the Union Square Garage webpage so you know the rates.
3. If you are concerned about your surroundings and would like an escort to your car, please feel free to use the Ambassador Service in our city-owned garages.
4. Take notice of your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, please report it.
5. Look both ways for pedestrians when driving into or out of a garage or lot.

More information about San Francisco parking rules can be found in the Drive & Park section of the SFMTA website.

Happy holidays from the SFMTA.