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San Diego Scales Back Balboa Park Parking Fees, Restores Free Parking for Verified Residents

The compromise averts a council vote to suspend the program, leaving officials to backfill lost revenue.

Overview

  • Starting March 2, seven lots — Pepper Grove, Federal, Upper and Lower Inspiration Point, Marston Point, Palisades, and Bea Evenson — will be free to verified city residents, with paid parking enforcement ending at 6 p.m.
  • Five premium lots — Space Theater, Casa de Balboa, Alcazar, Organ Pavilion, and South Carousel — remain paid, with resident rates set at $5 for up to four hours or $8 for a full day and non‑resident rates unchanged.
  • The residency verification process does not change, requiring a $5 online application, a two‑day approval window, and advance selection of the visit date.
  • Mayor Todd Gloria reached the agreement with Councilmembers Joe LaCava, Kent Lee, and Sean Elo‑Rivera, prompting cancellation of a planned hearing on suspending the program.
  • City leaders acknowledge revenue will fall after collecting nearly $700,000 to date with more than 3,000 resident registrations, as museum groups report steep attendance drops and some activists deride the deal as insufficient.