Balboa Park Leaders Demand Repeal of Paid Parking Program

Museum directors and restaurant owners say the new fees have devastated attendance and revenue.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Despite recent changes to allow San Diego residents to park for free, museum leaders and restaurant owners in Balboa Park are continuing to push for a full repeal of the city's new paid parking program. They say the program has led to a 15-40% drop in attendance and is causing financial hardship, with one restaurant group saying they are effectively spending more money than they make to stay open. Former Mayor Kevin Faulconer has joined the calls to repeal the program, calling it an attempt by the current administration to "tax everything and fee everything."

Why it matters

Balboa Park is a major cultural and tourist destination in San Diego, home to numerous museums, restaurants, and other attractions. The paid parking program was intended to help the city generate revenue, but has faced intense backlash from the organizations and businesses that rely on park visitors. The dispute highlights the challenges cities face in balancing budgets and infrastructure needs with the impacts on local communities and businesses.

The details

The paid parking program officially launched on January 5th and has led to a 15-40% drop in attendance at the park's museums, according to Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Restaurants like The Prado at Balboa Park say they are effectively spending more money than they make to continue operating. Museum and business leaders gathered on Saturday to continue calls for a full repeal of the program, despite the city's recent announcement that San Diego residents will be able to park for free in some lots starting next month. Former Mayor Kevin Faulconer has joined the effort, accusing the current administration of trying to "tax everything and fee everything."

  • The paid parking program officially launched on January 5, 2026.
  • On Friday, the city announced that San Diego residents will be able to park for free in some lots starting next month.

The players

Jim Kidrick

President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Kevin Faulconer

Former Mayor of San Diego.

Todd Gloria

Current Mayor of San Diego.

Joe LaCava

City Council President.

Cohn Restaurant Group

Owns The Prado at Balboa Park.

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What they’re saying

“Certainly it was very, very shortsighted to only include city of San Diego residents and not the entire county and really everybody.”

— Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum (nbcsandiego.com)

“There's a way to solve the budget crisis, and it doesn't involve going through Balboa Park.”

— Kevin Faulconer, Former Mayor of San Diego (nbcsandiego.com)

“We have a gang now at City Hall that is doing their best to tax everything and fee everything.”

— Kevin Faulconer, Former Mayor of San Diego (nbcsandiego.com)

“That is the tough conversation we're having in trying to identify new revenue measures to help us balance the budget and some of those revenue measures are turning out to be unpopular, not supported by fellow councilmembers, not enjoyed by the general public.”

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

What’s next

The independent advocacy organization, Office of the Public Advocate, has filed a proposal with the City Council's Rules Committee to place a measure on the ballot allowing San Diegans to decide whether to repeal paid parking at Balboa Park. That discussion is scheduled for August 7, 2026.

The takeaway

The paid parking program at Balboa Park has become a flashpoint in San Diego, pitting city leaders trying to balance the budget against the museums, restaurants, and other businesses that rely on the park's visitors. The dispute highlights the challenges cities face in finding the right balance between generating revenue and supporting their local communities.