- Tips for parking in Santa Monica
- Parking garages and lots in Santa Monica
- On-street parking in Santa Monica
- Free parking in Santa Monica
- Santa Monica Park and Ride lots
- FAQs
The coastal city of Santa Monica, California, is located just west of downtown Los Angeles. Known for iconic attractions like Santa Monica Pier and Palisades Park, there’s a multitude of things to do in Santa Monica and the surrounding Los Angeles area. Whether you’re headed on a West Coast beach trip or you’re just looking for a California weekend getaway, Santa Monica is not to be missed.
Its proximity to LA and its numerous attractions can draw huge crowds, though, so finding parking in Santa Monica can sometimes be a challenge. But never fear! We’re here to let you in on some secrets for where to find the best parking lots and garages, street parking, and free parking in Santa Monica. Let’s dive into our tips and strategies.
Tips for parking in Santa Monica
If you’re looking to find parking in Santa Monica, remember these tips to make your search easier:
- Download mobile apps: Apps like ParkMobile or the more specific City of Santa Monica Parking app (powered by ParkMe) can help you find available parking spaces near you in real time.
- Plan ahead: Parking spots in popular areas like Santa Monica Pier and downtown can fill up fast. Reserve parking in advance if you can.
- Carry coins or a credit card: The on-street parking meters and parking ticket machines in Santa Monica typically only accept cards or coins.
- EV charging: As a fairly progressive city, Santa Monica has over 20 parking locations where you can charge your electric vehicle.
- Be smart with valuables: The authorities in Santa Monica recommend either bringing your valuables with you or securing them in your trunk.
- Stay cool: The heat in Southern California can be intense, so try to park in a covered lot, garage, or in the shade whenever you can.
With these tips and tricks in mind, you can get your car rental at the SIXT branch in Santa Monica and hit the road.
Where to find parking garages and lots in Santa Monica
Parking garages in Santa Monica are plentiful and perhaps the most convenient option because they offer added security and guaranteed shade from the SoCal sun. The parking garages in Santa Monica are also open 24 hours a day, and most of them offer the first 90 minutes of parking for free or for a small fee. Some of the most convenient parking garages in the city are:
- Civic Center Garage: This public parking garage is located across from City Hall and offers easy access to Santa Monica Pier. The first 30 minutes are free with a daily maximum of $14* on weekdays and $5* on weekends, and EV charging ports are available.
- Ken Edward Center Parking Structure: This garage is situated in the heart of downtown Santa Monica on 4th Street. The first 90 minutes are free, while the daily maximum is $20* on weekdays and $25* on weekends.
- Parking Structures 1 through 8: These are garages located across downtown Santa Monica along 2nd Street and 4th Street. All of them offer the first 90 minutes free, with daily maximums of $20* on weekdays and $25* on weekends.
There are also plenty of public parking lots in Santa Monica. While these may not offer as much shade as garages, many of them will give you easier access to Santa Monica Beach. Some of the best lots in the city are:
- Pier Deck Parking Lot: This lot is perhaps the closest parking you’ll find to Santa Monica Pier, and as such, it fills up fast. It opens at 9 am and closes at 8 pm, and pricing is seasonal.* From April to October, the first hour is $3.75* and the daily maximum is $18*. In winter, daily maximums are $12* on weekdays and $15* on weekends.
- Lot 1 North: This lot is known as “the beach lot” and is open from 6 am to 2 am daily. Situated right along the beach next to Santa Monica Pier, the flat rate is $15* April through October, while during winter, it’s $7* on weekdays and $10* on weekends.
- Lot 4 South: This beach parking lot is situated further south of the main Santa Monica Beach area and is therefore cheaper, with flat rates of $10* (weekdays) and $12* (weekends) April through October and $7* (weekdays) and $10* (weekends) during winter. Bus and recreational vehicle parking is also available here. It’s open from sunrise to sunset.
If you’re unable to find available spaces in a parking garage or lot near you, use an app to find spaces in real time.
SIXT pro tip: There are plenty of other public beach parking lots situated along Santa Monica’s coast—for cheaper rates, you’ll want to head to the Northern Zone (Lot 4 North through Lot 9 North) or the Southern Zone (Lot 4 South and Lot 5 South).
Where to find on-street parking in Santa Monica
There’s also plenty of on-street metered parking in Santa Monica. In the Downtown and Beach Meter Zones, rates typically start at $2* per hour, while in other Citywide Zones, rates start at $1* per hour. Unlike many other cities, Santa Monica does not offer free on-street metered parking on Sundays, so always read time restrictions and remember to pay your meter with coins or a credit card.
Most of the meters in Santa Monica operate from 8 am until 2 am daily, except for the ones east of 5th Street and near the Civic Center, which usually operate from 8 am to 9 pm daily. Parking signs stating any rules or restrictions are usually placed at the end of each block. To find available metered parking spaces, you can also use mobile apps.
You can access metered street parking in Santa Monica in these areas:
- Downtown: Metered parking is available along Broadway, Santa Monica Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard, and 4th Street.
- Santa Monica Beach: You can find metered parking along Ocean Avenue and 2nd Street, both of which give you easy access to Palisades Park.
- Ocean Park: There are metered spots east of 5th Street that will give you easy access to the Ocean Park neighborhood and Venice Beach.
SIXT pro tip: Even if there are parking signs in the middle of the block, always read the ones at the end of the block, too, as these are the ones that are required to post street cleaning hours during which no parking is allowed.
Where to find free parking in Santa Monica
Don’t want to pay for parking in Santa Monica? We totally get it. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many parking spots in the city that come free of charge, but there are a few ways you can take advantage of the city’s parking options to achieve free parking for at least a short period of time.
As we mentioned above, meters run even on Sundays, so finding free street parking is highly unlikely unless you’re in a residential area with a permit. However, check the enforcement hours for your metered parking spot: overnight parking at street meters is free after 2 am in most areas and after 9 pm near the Civic Center. Metered parking is also not enforced on particular holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and Christmas.
Otherwise, there aren’t many options for free parking in Santa Monica.
SIXT pro tip: If you only need a parking spot for a short period of time, most of the city’s garages offer the first 90 minutes for free.
Santa Monica Park and Ride lots
Another feasible choice for parking in Santa Monica is Park and Ride. While there aren’t that many official Park and Ride lots, there are ways you can take advantage of cheap parking by utilizing the lots near the city’s E line metro system and then taking the light rail to your desired destination. Some of the most convenient Park and Ride opportunities are:
- 1610 Colorado Ave.: This lot has 65 parking spaces starting at $3* daily and gives you access to the 17th St/SMC metro station.
- 12201 Exposition Blvd.: This lot also starts at $3* per day and has 218 parking spaces.
SIXT pro tip: If you’re headed to a specific attraction, you can check for Park and Ride shuttles dedicated to that attraction. For example, if you’re headed to the Hollywood Bowl, you can park in Parking Structure 4 and then board the shuttle line 658 at the stop on Pico Blvd.
FAQs
How much is parking at Santa Monica Place?
Santa Monica Place is a popular outdoor shopping mall and entertainment venue located just two blocks from the beach and the pier. Valet parking at Santa Monica Place is available for a flat rate of $25*. Or, you can park in public Parking Structures 7 or 8, both of which are adjacent to the mall. The first 90 minutes are free, then the charge is $2* for the next hour with a daily maximum of $20* (weekdays) or $25* (weekends).
How can I pay for parking in Santa Monica?
Most garages accept cash and cards, while the pay machines at city lots and street meters take only coins or credit cards.
Where is the best place to park at Santa Monica Pier?
The best place to park at Santa Monica Pier is, arguably, the Pier Deck Parking Lot, as it’s the closest parking lot to the attraction. However, Beach Parking Lot 1 North is adjacent to the pier as well, and the Civic Center Garage is a short walk away.
How much is public parking in Santa Monica?
Public parking in Santa Monica is reasonably priced, with many lots and garages offering daily maximums of $25* or less. Metered street parking can cost between $1* and $2* per hour.
*Disclaimer: These parking tips, pricing, and locations are valid as of July 2025.
