What should it cost to park in Balboa Park? San Diego City Council members haggle over plan’s details

San Diego City Council members gave mixed reviews Monday to a comprehensive plan to begin charging drivers to park in Balboa Park and on nearby streets for the first time.

Council members praised the plan for varying rates based on proximity to the park’s center, providing free short-term parking at Inspiration Point, giving city residents discounts and letting volunteers park for free.

But they lobbied for deeper resident discounts, expanding free short-term parking from two hours to four hours and finding ways to reduce fees for bridge clubs, youth theater troupes and other frequent park users.

They also lobbied for parking enforcement to end at 6 p.m. instead of the proposed 8 p.m., contending it would be unfair for patrons of restaurants and the Old Globe Theatre to pay for a full day when they arrive at 7 p.m.

Some council members also said the daily rate for the most convenient lots should be $10 instead of $12, which would make the 50% discounted rate for city residents $5 instead of $6.

Council President Joe LaCava stressed that each potential concession the council makes would shrink the amount of revenue the city generates from the new parking fees — potentially forcing city budget cuts.

That’s because the decision to charge parking fees in Balboa Park came as the council and Mayor Todd Gloria faced a $350 million budget deficit this spring and searched for potential ways to increase city revenue.

The finalized budget for fiscal 2026 includes more than $10 million in parking revenue from Balboa Park — a target that could be in jeopardy if the council backs away from the comprehensive proposal presented Monday.

“This is not a policy issue, it’s a fiscal issue,” said LaCava, suggesting he may schedule a September hearing to consider emergency budget cuts if the council makes too many concessions on Balboa Park parking.

Extending the new parking fees to the San Diego Zoo was another priority mentioned by some council members.

Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera said it was frustrating that the zoo is charging for valet parking but that an agreement with the city for general parking fees has remained elusive.

Emily Piatanesi, a policy adviser for the mayor, said negotiations are ongoing with the zoo about changes to its lease, which runs through 2034.

“We are working expeditiously with them,” she said.

Zoo officials have declined to comment on the negotiations.

City officials say they’d like zoo parking rates to be the same as the rates for the most expensive Balboa Park lots, so that pricing would be consistent across the park’s central mesa.

Elo-Rivera said a quick resolution is important.

“We need to push harder on the zoo to charge non-residents more to park there,” he said, noting that SeaWorld charges $30 a day and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park charges $20.

“The zoo itself right now is charging $40 and $60 for valet parking, and the city of San Diego is seeing none of that, despite the residents of this city subsidizing the zoo to the tune of $22 million this year,” he said.

Elo-Rivera is referring to a city charter requirement that a certain amount of property tax revenue be devoted to the zoo.

Councilmember Raul Campillo, a longtime skeptic of paid parking in Balboa Park, was perhaps the most critical Monday.

He was particularly critical of the proposal for two-hour free parking at the Inspiration Park lot, an overflow lot at the park’s southern edge where trams take people to the park’s more popular destinations.

“Two hours of free time will work for someone taking their dog for a walk, but it won’t work for anyone visiting any single institution,” he said. “And then, if you stay a little longer than two hours, you get charged full price. I’d say at worst, a four-hour free block is necessary.”

Campillo also suggested city officials consider annual passes for frequent users, prepare for more people to get to Balboa Park using ride-hail services and consider parking validation for people who eat at restaurants or attend performances in the park.

“We ought to say, ‘If you’re going to spend money here, we will cut you a break there,’” Campillo said.

Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, whose district includes Balboa Park, requested officials explore discounts for frequent park users who participate in bridge clubs, chess clubs or other organized activities.

He said one possibility is free parking somewhere on the park’s west side near Sixth Avenue, which is close to where many of those groups meet.

The proposal calls for parking fees in all 12 of the park’s off-street lots, with pricing based on each lot’s distance to the park’s center.

Level 1 lots, where a daily permit would be $12 for non-residents, include Pan America Plaza, organ pavilion, Alcazar Garden, Casa de Balboa, Village Place, Natural History Museum and Fleet Science Center North.

Parking would cost non-residents $6 a day in Level 2 lots at Fleet Science Center South, Veterans Museum, Starlight Bowl, Marston Point and a lot in the park’s southwestern corner near Fir Street and Sixth Avenue.

Level 2 lots would also be free to park-based employees, nonprofit staff, contractors and registered volunteers.

Inspiration Point would be free to all users for two hours. After that, fees there would be the same as level 2 lots.

Among those lobbying for looser rules in the Inspiration Point lot were Captain Robert Healy, commanding officer of Naval Base San Diego and Balboa Medical Center in the park.

He estimated that 500 of the medical center’s 6,000 workers regularly use the Inspiration Point lot.

The plan also calls for new parking meters on several streets within the park and along its edges, including Balboa Drive, Presidents Way, Quince Drive, Village Place, Juniper Street, Park Boulevard, El Prado and 6th Avenue.

People who park at them will be charged the city’s standard meter rate of $2.50 an hour.

The proposal for paid parking in Balboa Park is unpopular with park users and residents.

Of 103 people who submitted written comments, 98 were in opposition and five were in support. Of the roughly four dozen who spoke live Monday, none offered strong support.

“Balboa Park is obviously not just a tourist destination, it’s a shared civic space,” said Peter Comiskey, leader of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership. “If you begin charging for access by car to a park that is bereft of adequate transit options, the system must be fair, thoughtful and community centered — not revenue-centered.”

Katy McDonald of Forever Balboa Park expressed similar concerns, but she also told the council she understands their predicament.

“Given the reality of the financial challenges we all are experiencing, we understand your desire to move forward,” she said.

Some park users also spoke against the proposal, including junior theater participant Sophie Gonzalez.

“For us, this park isn’t just a tourist attraction; it’s our second home,” she told the council.

City officials said they expect paid parking to begin Oct. 1. They plan to present the council with a finalized proposal in September.