Update from the City of San Diego: On Sept. 15, 2025, the San Diego City Council approved new parking rates for Balboa Park. As part of the decision, the Council requested no parking fees be implemented until annual and quarterly parking passes are available. At this time, all parking in Balboa Park remains free. More information on parking passes, discounts for City residents, and the timeline for implementation will be shared as soon as it becomes available.
Parking lots with handicap parking spaces are located throughout the Park that offer easy access to cultural institutions, attractions, and experiences with accessible parking spots and designated pick-up and drop-off stops for the Park’s tram. Each lot will vary in price and hour enforcement. For more information on parking costs and payment options, please visit https://www.sandiego.gov/parking/meterops.
Park in the Inspiration Point parking lot (on the east side of Park Blvd., between Presidents Way and the Balboa Park Activity Center) for easy access to the heart of Balboa Park via the free tram (please check the Tram Page for the current operation schedule). There are electric car charging stations located in the Fleet Science Center, and San Diego Zoo parking lots..
For any questions regarding parking enforcement and citations, please contact the City of San Diego. The City’s number for parking meter operations is (619) 744-1705. The website that includes other contact information is https://www.sandiego.gov/parking/faqs. This includes answers to questions about overstaying a parking meter, paying fines and retrieving an impounded vehicle.
Alcazar Parking Lot
The Alcazar Parking Lot is located by way of El Prado and Pan American Road. After driving over the Cabrillo Bridge, pass the Mingei International Museum on your right, and immediately make a right turn down a small road behind the Museum’s building. This small road goes directly to the parking lot. This parking lot is close to the Museum of Us, The Old Globe Theater, The Mingei International Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego, and the San Diego Museum of Art, as well as the Palm Canyon Trail and the Rube Powell archery range.
San Diego Natural History Museum Lot
The San Diego Natural History Museum parking lot is located on Village Place Road and is right in front of the Natural History Museum. This parking lot is also close to the San Diego Zoo, Spanish Art Village, San Diego Junior Theatre, rose garden, desert garden, and Fleet Science Center.
Casa de Balboa Lot
The Casa de Balboa parking lot is located behind the Museum of Photographic Arts. It is accessible from Park Blvd. This parking lot is also close to the Balboa Park Visitors Center & Prado Restaurant, the Casa del Prado Botanical Foundation, Casa del Prado Theatre, Floral Association, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, San Diego Junior Theater, and the San Diego Youth Symphony.
Federal Lot
The Federal parking lot is located behind the Federal Building that houses the Comic-Con Museum. It is accessible by way of President’s Way from Park Blvd. This parking lot is close to the Comic-Con Museum and San Diego Air & Space Museum. There is also a tram stop located next to the accessible parking at the front of the parking lot.
Inspiration Point Lot
The Inspiration parking lot is located at the intersection of President’s Way and Park Blvd. This parking lot is close to the Veteran’s Museum, WorldBeat Center, Centro Cultural de la Raza, and Parks and Recreation Administrative Building. There is also a tram stop located near the accessible parking spots.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion Lot
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion parking lot is located behind the Spreckels Organ. It can be accessed by way of Presidents Way and Pan American Road E. The lot is also located near the United Nations Buildings, Japanese Friendship Garden, and Mingei International Museum.
Pan American Plaza Lot
The Pan American parking lot is located in front of the Comic-Con Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, Air & Space Museum, and Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, and House of Pacific Relations. It is accessible by way of Presidents Way & Pan American Road. There is a tram stop located right in the center of the parking lot near the accessible parking spots.
Pepper Grove North Lot
The Pepper Grove North Lot is located on the backside of the Fleet Science Center building. The lot can be accessed by way of Park Blvd. This parking lot is also located near the Museum of Photographic Arts, the San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego History Center, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego Junior Theatre, and the Casa del Prado Theatre.
Pepper Grove South Lot
The Pepper Grove South Lot is located adjacent to the Pepper Grove North lot near the Fleet Science Center. The lot can be accessed by way of Park Blvd. This parking lot is also located near Pepper Grove Playground, Fleet Science Center, Centro Cultural de la Raza, and WorldBeat Center.
San Diego Zoo Parking Lot
The San Diego Zoo Parking Lot is located on Park Blvd. The lot can be accessed by way of Park Blvd and Zoo Place. This parking lot is the closest lot to the Zoo and Carousel.
Carousel Parking Lot
The Carousel Parking Lot is located on Park Blvd. The lot can be accessed by way of Zoo Place. This parking lot is close to the Carousel and San Diego Zoo.
Balboa Park Tram
With stops in or near three major parking lots, the free Balboa Park Tram loops around the cultural district throughout the day to get you within a 10-minute walk to many of the Park’s most popular destinations. Trams pick up/drop off every 8 to 10 minutes (at peak times, 20-40 minutes) at each of the 5 stops.
The tram makes five stops, including at the Inspiration Point parking lot one of the largest lots in the park – as well as the most popular Plaza de Panama, in the heart of Balboa Park.
From November 1 through May 31, the hours of tram operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Summer tram hours, which are in effect from June 2 to Oct. 31, are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
