San Diego Mayor Lifts Some Balboa Park Parking Fees for City Residents

The move follows widespread criticism, but non-residents will still pay higher fees.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 3:47pm

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In response to backlash from residents, council members, and park institutions, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has lifted parking fees in select Balboa Park lots for city residents. However, non-residents will still be required to pay higher fees to park in premium lots, and the mayor warned that the revenue reduction will require service-level cuts elsewhere to balance the budget.

Why it matters

Balboa Park is a beloved community asset in San Diego, and the parking fees had faced opposition from a wide range of stakeholders who argued they would negatively impact park attendance and access, especially for lower-income residents. The mayor's decision aims to address these concerns, though it still maintains fees for non-residents.

The details

Under the new policy, San Diego residents will be able to park for free in select Balboa Park lots, but they must verify their residency through an online process. Premium lots will still charge $5 for up to 4 hours or $8 for a full day. Parking enforcement will also end at 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. However, the fees for non-residents will remain in effect.

  • The Balboa Park parking fees were approved by the City Council last fall and took effect on January 5, 2026.
  • On February 6, 2026, Mayor Todd Gloria announced the changes to the parking fee program.

The players

Todd Gloria

The mayor of San Diego who announced the changes to the Balboa Park parking fees.

Joe LaCava

The San Diego City Council President who praised the mayor's decision to address the impacts of the parking fees on residents and park institutions.

Peter Comiskey

The executive director of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, who called the mayor's decision a "start of movement in the right direction" but said more should be done to address access for regional residents.

Shane Harris

A community activist who had proposed a free parking day for Balboa Park, which was rejected by a council committee, and who called the mayor's changes "window dressing" and "political sleight of hand."

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What they’re saying

“Good governing also means listening. I've heard from residents and from members of the City Council about how this program is affecting San Diegans who love Balboa Park as much as I do. That feedback matters, and it's why I am eliminating parking fees for city residents in select lots in the park.”

— Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego (Times of San Diego)

“My colleagues and I recognize the impacts paid parking has had on residents, Balboa Park institutions, and the many clubs. The Mayor's reforms address these impacts and align with our calls for action. Balboa Park is a San Diego park, and San Diego residents should continue to uniquely benefit from their investment.”

— Joe LaCava, San Diego City Council President (Times of San Diego)

“We have been informed by the city that singling out county residents for free parking as well may pose a legal issue. Still, access to the park is essential not only to city residents, but to people from throughout the county who have depended on and supported the park for generations, a fact that we continue to believe must be addressed as a high priority as we move forward.”

— Peter Comiskey, Executive Director, Balboa Park Cultural Partnership (Times of San Diego)

What’s next

The San Diego City Council is expected to discuss the mayor's changes to the Balboa Park parking fees at their next meeting on Monday.

The takeaway

The mayor's decision to lift parking fees for San Diego residents in select Balboa Park lots is a compromise that aims to address the concerns of local residents and park institutions, but it still maintains higher fees for non-residents, raising questions about equitable access to this community asset.