San Diego Councilmembers Propose Suspending Balboa Park Parking Fees

The proposal aims to address resident frustrations and declining park attendance since the new paid parking program was implemented.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Three San Diego City Councilmembers - Joe LaCava, Kent Lee, and Sean Elo-Rivera - have proposed a council vote to suspend the recently implemented paid parking program at Balboa Park. The councilmembers, who originally voted in favor of the program, now cite resident registration issues, declining park attendance, and a recent poll showing 51% of residents prefer service reductions over continuing the paid parking as reasons to pause the program for San Diego residents, though non-residents would still have to pay.

Why it matters

The paid parking program was intended to help address the city's $250 million budget shortfall, but the councilmembers argue the negative impacts on park attendance and resident frustration outweigh the revenue benefits. The mayor has veto power, but the council can override it, setting up a potential political showdown over the future of parking at one of San Diego's most iconic public spaces.

The details

The new paid parking program at Balboa Park has been in effect for only two weeks, but the councilmembers say local attendance is already down at least 20% at museums like the Fleet Science Center. They plan to propose a council vote on February 9th to suspend the program for San Diego residents, while still requiring non-residents to pay. The mayor's office has warned that suspending the program would create a $9 million budget shortfall that would likely require cuts to other city services.

  • The paid parking program at Balboa Park went into effect a few weeks ago.
  • The council vote to potentially suspend the program is scheduled for February 9th.

The players

Joe LaCava

San Diego City Council President who originally voted in favor of the paid parking program but now supports suspending it for residents.

Kent Lee

San Diego City Councilmember who also originally voted for the paid parking program but now supports suspending it.

Sean Elo-Rivera

San Diego City Councilmember who voted in favor of the paid parking program but now supports suspending it for residents.

Todd Gloria

Mayor of San Diego who has veto power over the council's decision to suspend the paid parking program.

Jessica Coleman

A Balboa Park visitor who is reconsidering hosting her daughter's birthday at the park due to the new paid parking fees.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“While I continue to believe that the long-term outlook of attendance is better than what we were seeing today, the fragility of nonprofits and institutions cannot be ignored.”

— Joe LaCava, San Diego City Council President (nbcsandiego.com)

“I, too, have shared similar frustrations, especially given what I have vocalized as the haphazard rollout of the new paid parking system.”

— Kent Lee, San Diego City Councilmember (nbcsandiego.com)

“The City Council adopted a budget last June that depended on millions of dollars in parking revenue from Balboa Park. If the Council now moves to suspend that program, it must also propose how to replace that revenue to keep the budget balanced. That would almost certainly mean cuts to other city services, the same type of cuts the Council previously rejected, and I stand ready to have that discussion with them.”

— Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

The San Diego City Council is scheduled to vote on February 9th on whether to suspend the paid parking program at Balboa Park for residents, while still requiring non-residents to pay. If the suspension is approved, the city will need to determine how to compensate those who have already purchased parking passes.

The takeaway

The debate over paid parking at Balboa Park highlights the delicate balance between generating revenue for the city and supporting local institutions and residents' access to public spaces. The council's proposal to suspend the program for residents reflects the need to address community concerns, even when it conflicts with the city's budget priorities.