News Summary
Starting September 1, 2025, San Diego will implement a Special Event Parking Zone around Petco Park, increasing parking meter rates to $10 per hour for major events. The new rates will apply to events attended by over 10,000 people, including San Diego Padres games. The initiative aims to manage parking and reduce traffic congestion, despite concerns from the Padres organization about the financial burden on fans. Disabled parking placards will remain unaffected, and the city plans to improve parking management with added signs and stricter enforcement.
San Diego – Starting September 1, 2025, the City of San Diego will implement a Special Event Parking Zone around Petco Park, leading to a significant increase in parking meter rates during major events. The new rate will be set at $10 per hour for parking in this zone, which is designated for events attended by over 10,000 people, including San Diego Padres games and games hosted by the Savannah Bananas.
The new parking rates will take effect two hours prior to the event and will remain in effect for four hours after the event begins. During these events, all parking meters in the special event zone will also have a time limit of six hours. Currently, parking meter rates on regular days are $2.50 per hour, which had already increased from $1.25 in January 2025.
The new regulations apply to an area defined as south of Broadway, west of Interstate 5, east of State Street, and north of Harbor Drive and South 16th Street. To ensure motorists are aware of the changes, the city has initiated the installation of approximately 400 new signs throughout the designated areas.
The increase in parking meter rates aims to combat traffic congestion and enhance parking management around the stadium during busy event times. The San Diego Padres organization has expressed concerns regarding the rate hike, suggesting it could place a heavier financial burden on fans, workers, and local residents. They criticized the city’s decision-making process for moving forward without consulting key stakeholders, including the Padres themselves.
Importantly, individuals with disabled parking placards will not be affected by the increase, as they will still be allowed to park for free in metered spaces during special events. Despite concerns about the impact of the new rates, city officials assert that the increased revenue generated from the new rates will be reinvested back into improvements within the Special Event Parking Zone.
The changes also signify a wider initiative from the city to adjust parking fees during high-demand periods. Parking enforcement in the area is set to become more stringent, with regulations now active seven days a week. In addition, the city is extending paid parking hours at some meters throughout the city, with certain meters set to charge until 10 p.m..
Residents and frequent visitors to the Petco Park area should prepare for these new parking regulations that may significantly alter their parking experience during event days. The city encourages everyone to adjust their parking habits accordingly and remain informed about potential changes in traffic and parking availability. The Special Event Parking Zone adjustments are part of an effort to create a more organized parking experience during high-traffic events, ultimately aiming to improve accessibility and traffic flow in the vicinity of Petco Park.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego: Parking Meter Rates for Padres Games
- San Diego Magazine: August 2025 Events
- Fox 5 San Diego: New Parking Meters for Petco Park
- 10 News: New Special Event Parking Zone Signs
- Times of San Diego: National Night Out Events
- Wikipedia: Petco Park
- Google Search: parking meter rates San Diego
- Google Scholar: Parking management San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Parking
- Google News: San Diego parking meter regulations
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
