Free Parking in Santa Monica, CA: Where to Find It
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Downtown Santa Monica structures offer the first 90 minutes free, then charge a $17 daily maximum on weekdays and $20 on weekends. Santa Monica beach parking also includes the first 90 minutes free and costs $7 to $18 per day afterward.
Parking Near Santa Monica
Santa Monica limits, permit zones, and enforcement hours
Santa Monica’s yellow loading zones have a 15-minute limit and are enforced Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (SpotAngels, spotangels.com). Santa Monica’s green zones are enforceable 24 hours a day for the posted time limit (SpotAngels, spotangels.com). A free space therefore remains free only while the vehicle follows the color-zone limit and any sign posted at that space.
Santa Monica residential streets can include preferential parking areas, where restrictions apply to vehicles without the required resident permit (City of Santa Monica, prdwmq.etimspayments.com). A disabled placard or plate does not turn a loading zone, green zone, or permit-only space into unrestricted parking.
Parksy parking near downtown Santa Monica
Parksy lists a convenient outdoor lot in Santa Monica, 300 yards away, at $11 an hour, and a space at 1453 6th Street, also 300 yards away, at $11 an hour. These priced spaces suit drivers who need a nearby alternative after the first 90 free minutes in a downtown structure or who cannot find a legal residential street space.
Parksy also lists Lincoln Wilshire Garage spaces 0.2 miles away at $13.60 an hour, plus secure 24/7 private parking in Santa Monica 0.2 miles away at $100 a month. The Lincoln Wilshire options fit short visits close to downtown, while the 24/7 private space better suits a regular driver who needs reliable access rather than occasional free street parking. An affordable parking garage 0.3 miles away costs $16.25 an hour.
Busy Santa Monica days and cheaper named alternatives
Free spaces are hardest to secure around Santa Monica’s beach and downtown areas on weekends, during beach visits, and when events draw extra cars. Downtown Santa Monica’s structures charge a $17 daily maximum on weekdays and a $20 daily maximum on weekends after the first 90 minutes free (Downtown Santa Monica, downtownsm.com). Those daily caps can be cheaper than repeated short stays when a visit lasts several hours.
Santa Monica beach parking is operated 24 hours daily and costs between $7 and $18 per day, with the first 90 minutes free (SantaMonica.com, santamonica.com). Downtown structures suit shopping, dining, and event trips because the daily maximum avoids paying an hourly rate throughout the visit.
Photo: Pexels / Thomas balabaud Sources
* Please note: parking prices, time limits and fine amounts change frequently and vary by operator, council and local authority. Everything on this page is indicative and provided on a best-endeavours basis. Always check the sign, the operator or the issuing authority before you rely on a figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free parking in Santa Monica, California?
Downtown Santa Monica structures offer the first 90 minutes free, then charge a $17 daily maximum on weekdays and $20 on weekends. Santa Monica beach parking also includes the first 90 minutes free and costs $7 to $18 per day afterward.
How long is free parking at Santa Monica beach?
Santa Monica beach parking includes the first 90 minutes free. The beach parking is operated 24 hours daily and costs between $7 and $18 per day after that free period (SantaMonica.com, santamonica.com).
Is downtown Santa Monica parking free?
Downtown Santa Monica’s structures provide the first 90 minutes free. After that, the daily maximum is $17 on weekdays and $20 on weekends (Downtown Santa Monica, downtownsm.com). These structures suit shopping, dining, and event trips when staying several hours, because the daily maximum avoids paying an hourly rate throughout the visit.
What are Santa Monica’s free parking time limits?
Santa Monica’s yellow loading zones have a 15-minute limit and are enforced Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (SpotAngels, spotangels.com). Green zones are enforceable 24 hours a day for the posted time limit (SpotAngels, spotangels.com). A space remains free only while you follow the color-zone limit and posted sign.
Can I park for free on residential streets in Santa Monica?
Santa Monica residential streets can include preferential parking areas. Restrictions apply to vehicles without the required resident permit (City of Santa Monica, prdwmq.etimspayments.com). A disabled placard or plate does not turn a permit-only space into unrestricted parking.
What is a nearby paid alternative if free parking is full?
Parksy lists a convenient outdoor lot 300 yards away at $11 an hour and a space at 1453 6th Street, also 300 yards away, at $11 an hour.
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