Starting September 1st, 2025, Petco parking quadrupled before and during large events, with over 10,000 attendees. This comes as the result of balancing the city’s budget, in part by increasing parking rates. The new $10 hourly rate will apply to all parking meters within a half-mile of Petco. In addition, the city of San Diego previously introduced paid parking all around Balboa Park – but that’s about to change once again.
Parking fees at Balboa Park
The city plans also introduced a couple of new parking districts, which will feature paid parking. One of those is located by Balboa Park – with 300 new spots, charging $2.50 an hour for a maximum of four hours between 8 AM – 8 PM. This change kicked off on January 5th, 2026. Discounts available for San Diego residents:
- Level 1 Parking Lots: Verified resident rate: $5 for up to four hours; $8 full day; Nonresident rate: $10 for up to four hours; $16 full day
- Level 2 Parking Lots: Verified resident rate: $5 per day; Nonresident rate: $10 per day
- Level 3 Parking Lot: Verified resident rate: First three hours free; $5 full day; Nonresident rate: First three hours free; $10 full day
Updated rates for Balboa Park – February 2026
Following significant public backlash and declining museum attendance after the unpopular introduction of paid parking at Balboa, San Diego officials are implementing revised rules starting March 2, 2026.
Verified city residents will now receive free parking in Level 2 and Level 3 lots (including the Palisades and Bea Evenson lots). Daily paid parking enforcement will end 2 hours earlier – at 6 PM. However, to continue addressing the city’s budget gap, the busiest Level 1 lots will remain paid for everyone, and nonresidents will still be charged across all lots. Various daily and longer-term passes remain available.
Revenues from the parking fees paid within the park will go towards Balboa Park, on projects such as maintenance, infrastructure and visitor amenities.
Which Petco Park events qualify for the new parking rate?
Wondering how to know if an event that you plan to attend is considered large enough? You can check the city’s website for qualifying events here. The new signs in the parking will also feature a QR code that leads you to the same website.
New Petco parking rate schedule
The special parking rates begin 2 hours before scheduled Padres games or other big Petco Park events, and remain in effect until 4 hours following the event’s start time. So if a concert begins at 7 PM, the Special Event parking rates will be in effect from approximately 5 PM through 11 PM.
Alternatives for parking by Petco Park
The initiative, according to the city, aims to “reduce congestion by discouraging drivers from circling for free or cheap parking near the stadium.” So, does that leave us with no choice? If you’re looking to park right by Petco…yes.
However, most yellow commercial zones in the city are in effect until 6 PM, so those are an option for games or shows that start around 7 PM.
Updates for Petco Park – February 2026
While Balboa Park already has its finalized changes rolling out in March, the Petco Park adjustments are currently in the legislative phase – but are gaining serious traction. City Councilmember Raul Campillo wans to introduce the “5/5/5 Plan” to soften the blow for locals:
- $5 an hour
- 5 blocks – shrinking the enforcement radius from a massive half-mile down to just five blocks around the stadium
- 5 hours – reducing the surge pricing window from 6 hours to 5