Santa Monica Parking Guide: Free, Cheap & Reserved Options

Santa Monica operates several large beach parking lots along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South near the pier are the most popular and charge $15-$25/day depending on the season. In summer months (June-September), these lots often fill by 10 AM on weekends and holidays. The lot at 2030 Ocean Avenue has 300+ spaces but follows the same pricing.

Further north along PCH, smaller lots near Will Rogers State Beach charge $10-$15/day. These are less crowded but farther from the pier and Promenade. If your goal is beach access specifically, these northern lots are a better deal. But for anything south of Montana Avenue, you'll want to explore other options.

Santa Monica street meters run $2-$2.50/hour in most commercial areas, with a 2-hour maximum. The meters are strictly enforced — parking enforcement officers are active 7 days a week, and a single ticket is $63-$73. Always use the ParkMobile app to track your time and extend remotely if the meter allows it.

Free street parking does exist in Santa Monica, but it requires some local knowledge. Residential streets south of Wilshire Blvd and east of Lincoln Blvd have unrestricted parking in many blocks — check signs carefully for permit requirements. The streets around Santa Monica College (north of Pico) also have some free 2-hour parking during off-peak times. For guaranteed spots without the meter gamble, private spots on Parkzy are your best bet.

The city-operated parking structures on 2nd and 4th Street near the Promenade offer the first 90 minutes free, then $2/hour after that, up to a $20 daily max. This is actually one of the better deals in Santa Monica if you're shopping or dining for under 2 hours. The structures get crowded on weekends, so arrive before noon for the best availability.

For longer stays or guaranteed access, Parkzy hosts in the residential neighborhoods east of Lincoln Blvd list private driveways and spaces for $8-$15/day. You're a 10-15 minute walk from the Promenade, but you skip the garage hunt, save money, and don't have to worry about meter expirations or time limits.

Santa Monica residents are increasingly listing their driveways and garage spaces on Parkzy, especially on weekends and during summer. Private spots range from $8-$20/day depending on proximity to the beach and pier. Many are in quiet residential streets where you can park all day without meter anxiety.

Search Santa Monica on Parkzy's explore page to see available spots on a map. Filter by date, price, and features like covered parking or EV charging. Each listing shows exact distance to the beach, pier, and Promenade. Book in advance for weekends and holidays — Santa Monica private spots are popular and tend to fill up by Friday evening.