Find parking near
San Francisco
Good to know about parking in San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most visited cities in the United States, and all those visitors compete with locals for limited parking on steep, narrow streets. Metered spaces, residential permit zones, and time limits change frequently from block to block, and most meters are enforced daily with strict rules against simply feeding the meter. Finding a free spot near popular areas like Fishermans Wharf, Union Square, or along the Embarcadero can take a long time, especially during busy travel seasons, weekends, or business conferences.
Booking a garage or lot space in advance with ParkMobile lets you skip the circling and focus on enjoying your trip, whether you are in town for a meeting, a waterfront walk, or a day of sightseeing. With a reserved spot waiting for you, you know exactly where you are going to park and what it will cost, which reduces stress and makes driving in an unfamiliar city feel simple. Planning ahead for parking turns San Franciscos crowded streets into just another part of the journey, instead of a hurdle that eats up your time and energy.
Top destinations in San Francisco
Chase Center
Premium arena parking steps from Chase Center for seamless San Francisco event access
Moscone Center
Convenient parking near Moscone Center for easy access to San Francisco's premier convention and event space
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Contemporary art destination with convenient parking options for exploring San Francisco's vibrant museum scene
Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA
Convenient parking options are available near Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA for easy access to San Francisco's premier arts venue
The Mexican Museum
Convenient parking available for exploring The Mexican Museum's vibrant art collections in San Francisco
Emerald Park
Neighborhood park parking with easy access for family outings and scenic San Francisco views
Explore neighbourhoods in San Francisco
Civic Center
Vibrant cultural district anchored by grand civic buildings, renowned performance halls, and easy access to public transit
Tenderloin
Lively urban enclave celebrated for its diverse eateries, historic architecture, and central location within the city
South Of Market
Dynamic neighborhood distinguished by tech offices, contemporary art spaces, and a thriving nightlife scene
South Beach
Waterfront neighborhood offering sleek high-rises, scenic bay views, and proximity to Oracle Park
Marina
Charming bayside area featuring picturesque marinas, popular outdoor trails, and a vibrant caf� culture
Mission Bay
Rapidly developing neighborhood marked by state-of-the-art medical campuses, sleek apartment complexes, and easy access to waterfront green spaces
Financial District
Major commercial center characterized by towering office buildings, bustling weekday crowds, and close proximity to iconic San Francisco landmarks
Mission
Known for its colorful murals and lively street festivals, the Mission blends a rich Latino heritage with hip boutiques and innovative restaurants.
Rincon Hill
Perched above the city, Rincon Hill features luxury high-rises, sweeping skyline vistas, and convenient access to downtown and the waterfront
Parking Guidelines
Parking in San Francisco can be challenging, but with a bit of planning and the right tools you can save time, avoid tickets, and enjoy your visit.
San Franciscos parking meters are managed by SFMTA and accept coins, credit and debit cards, and payment by phone using official apps such as ParkMobile. Each meter or pay station has a location or zone number that you enter in the app or at the pay station, along with your license plate and desired time. With ParkMobile, you can pay quickly from your phone, skip the meter entirely, and even reserve spaces in participating garages and lots so your parking is guaranteed before you arrive.
At most metered spaces, you can extend your session in ParkMobile as long as your parking authority allows extensions, your session is still active, and you have not reached the posted maximum time. If a block has a strict time limit, you may not be able to simply restart a session in the same spot, so always check the meter or street signs for maximum stay rules. If you expect to be parked longer than a meter allows, reserving a space in a ParkMobile garage or lot gives you more flexibility for meetings, dinners, and events that run late.
Most San Francisco meters operate roughly from mid-morning to early evening, generally around 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and many charge on Saturdays and in busy visitor areas on Sundays, so you should always read the meter label before leaving your car. Time limits are common, and feeding the meter beyond the posted maximum is not allowed even if the meter will accept more payment. Parking rules still apply to electric vehicles, and color curbs, driveways, and crosswalks are always off-limits, so choosing a ParkMobile garage or lot can be easier if you are not comfortable reading multiple signs.
Parking enforcement officers in San Francisco check license plates and meter data electronically rather than relying only on what the meter display shows. If your payment in ParkMobile is active and the license plate and zone number are correct, parking control officers will see your valid session even if the meter looks expired. Tickets can be issued for expired time, staying past the maximum stay, blocking driveways or crosswalks, or violating color curb rules, so it pays to double-check both the app and the nearest signs when you park.
San Francisco has several local rules that often surprise visitors, so taking a minute to review them can save you from costly citations.72-hour rule: You cannot leave a car parked in the same on-street spot for more than 72 hours, even in unmetered or residential areas, or it may be cited and towed as stored or abandoned.Hill parking: On any noticeable hill, you must curb your wheels so the car would roll into the curb if the brakes fail, which means turning your wheels toward the curb when facing downhill and away when facing uphill.Color curbs: Red curbs are no parking or stopping, yellow is typically commercial loading during posted hours, white is short-term passenger loading, and green is short-term parking such as 15 or 30 minutes.Crosswalks and corners: Do not park in crosswalks, within intersections, or at red-painted curbs near corners, and always leave space in front of curb ramps even if the curb paint looks faded.Residential permit areas: Many neighborhoods have posted time limits for visitors, often 1 or 2 hours, after which you must move your vehicle outside the zone unless you have a local permit.Hydrants and driveways: Never park in front of a fire hydrant or block any part of a driveway, even if you are in the car or think you will be quick.Meter details first: Signs posted on the meter or pay station override general assumptions about hours and time limits, so always follow the strictest rule you see.
Because central areas like Fishermans Wharf, Union Square, and SoMa can fill up quickly, planning your parking in advance helps avoid circling busy blocks and risking last-minute rule mistakes. With ParkMobile, you can search for garages and lots near your destination, compare options, and reserve a space so you know exactly where you will park and how much it will cost before you drive into the city.
By checking local rules and using ParkMobile to pay for meters, extend sessions, and reserve guaranteed garage and lot spaces ahead of time, you can make parking in San Francisco simpler, smoother, and far less stressful.
Frequently asked questions
Parking tickets in San Francisco are handled by the SFMTA, and you must either pay or contest the citation by the due date to avoid late fees. You can look up the ticket and pay or submit a protest online, by mail, by phone, or in person at the SFMTA Customer Service Center. Keeping your ParkMobile receipt or confirmation handy can help if you ever need to show proof of payment when you contest a ticket.
Street meter rates in San Francisco vary by block, time of day, and demand, but many neighborhood pay-or-permit areas are in the range of about $1 to $3.25 per hour, while busy commercial areas and lots can be higher. City garages and lots often charge hourly rates that can reach $30 or more for a full day in popular areas. With ParkMobile, you can compare posted prices before you park and choose a location that fits your budget so there are fewer surprises when you arrive.
Yes, many garages and lots in San Francisco allow you to reserve and pay for parking before you arrive. Booking ahead through ParkMobile helps you lock in a spot in popular areas so you spend less time circling and more time enjoying the city. You can often see location details, hours, and pricing in the app, which reduces the risk of last-minute stress or unexpected costs.
Most parking meters in San Francisco operate Monday through Saturday, typically from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., although hours and prices are clearly posted on each meter or pay station and can vary by neighborhood. Time limits are strictly enforced, feeding the meter beyond the posted limit is not allowed, and you must always check nearby signs for tow-away, loading, and street cleaning restrictions. Using ParkMobile where available lets you start and extend a valid parking session from your phone within the legal time limits, which helps you avoid tickets when your plans change.
In residential permit zones, visitors without a neighborhood permit can usually park only for the posted time limit, often 1 or 2 hours, and then must move at least one block or about one-tenth of a mile. Staying in the same spot or on the same block beyond the limit can lead to a ticket, even if you move your car briefly. Choosing a nearby garage or lot and reserving a space in advance with ParkMobile can be easier than trying to shuffle your car every couple of hours in busy residential areas.