Downtown Parking Lot Facilities & Map
The City of Santa Cruz has 19 parking lots in the downtown area. Six of them are free, with time limits. The other 13 are paid parking. The map below shows the locations of the parking lots. For information about a particular lot, click on the number of the lot.
Lot permits are sold at the Parking Office at 124 Locust St. Call 831-420-6100 for more information.
Larger Downtown Santa Cruz Map(PDF, 69KB)
Parking for Hope Downtown Program December 18-25
The City of Santa Cruz hosts its annual downtown holiday parking program from December 18 through 25. The usual parking rates apply; however, the proceeds from street meters during these eight days are donated to Hope Services, a local nonprofit.
Free Downtown Parking on Holidays
Metered parking spaces within the Downtown District are not enforced on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Beach Area Meters
All metered parking spaces within the Beach Area operate 7 days per week, including all holidays, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Downtown Parking Permits
Permits are available for Downtown Parking Garages and certain surface lots (see below). Parking permits are only available to employees and residents of the Downtown Parking District.
List of Downtown Parking Facilities
Soquel/Front Garage
The Soquel/Front Parking Garage is located at the corner of Soquel Avenue and Front Street. The lot is paid hourly parking, $2/hour $16 Daily Max rate, seven days a week, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Keep your ticket with you, and pay at one of the Pay-on-Foot stations (located on the ground floor stair towers) or the cashier’s office before returning to your vehicle. Permits* cost $75 per month and are purchased at the Soquel/Front Garage cashier’s office.
Lot No. 2: The Walnut Tree Parking Lot
The Walnut Tree Parking Lot is located on Cedar Street between Union and Center Streets. The lot is free and is open 24 hours a day. It has a 3-hour time limit, Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lot is unlimited all day on Sundays and holidays.
Locust Garage
The Locust Garage is located at the corner of Cedar and Locust streets. The lot is paid hourly parking, with a $2/hour $16 Daily Max rate. seven days a week, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Keep your ticket with you, pay at one of the Pay-on-Foot stations (located on the ground floor stair towers) or the cashier's window before returning to your vehicle, or you can pay by credit card at the exit gate. Permits* cost $75 per month and are purchased from the cashier's window located on Locust Street.
Lot No. 3: The Cedar/Church Garage (800 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Cedar/Church Parking Garage is located at the corner of Cedar and Church streets. The garage is pay-by-space hourly parking with a $2/hour $16 Daily Max rate. The fee is charged seven days a week, including holidays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Remember your space number and pay at any paystation or pay by phone with Parkmobile.
Lot No. 4: The Cedar/Cathcart Parking Lot (610 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Cedar/Cathcart Parking Lot is located at the corner of Cedar and Cathcart streets. The lot is pay-by-space hourly parking with a $2/hour $16 Daily Max rate. The fee is charged seven days a week, including holidays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Remember your space number and pay at any paystation or pay by phone with Parkmobile. This lot is closed each Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the Downtown Farmer's Market, and the second Sunday of each month for the Antique Fair.
Lot No. 6: The Civic Auditorium Parking Lot (711 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Civic Auditorium Parking Lot is located on Church Street (between Center and Chestnut streets), next to the Civic Auditorium. It is a metered parking lot. Parking meters operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Sunday.
Lot No. 7: The Front/Cathcart Parking Lot (505 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Front/Cathcart Parking Lot is located at the corner of Front and Cathcart streets. It is pay-by-space hourly parking with a $2/hour $16 Daily Max rate. The fee is charged 7 days per week, including holidays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Remember your space number and pay at any paystation or pay by phone with Parkmobile.
Lot No. 8: The Pearl Alley Parking Lot (710 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Pearl Alley Parking Lot is located at the corner of Cedar and Lincoln Streets. The lot is pay-by-space hourly parking with $2/hour $16 Daily Max rate. The fee is charged seven days a week, including holidays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Remember your space number and pay at any paystation or pay by phone with Parkmobile.
- This parking lot has electric vehicle charging stations.
- To find out more detailed information please search PlugShare.
Lot No. 9: The Elm Street Parking Lot (120 Elm Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Elm Street Parking Lot is located at the corner of Cedar and Elm streets. The lot is pay-by-space hourly parking with a $2/hour $16 Daily Max rate. The fee is charged seven days a week, including holidays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Remember your space number and pay at any pay-station or pay by phone with Parkmobile.
Lot No. 10: River/Front Garage (24 River Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The River Front Parking Garage is located between River and Front streets next to the Galleria Office Complex. The lot is paid hourly parking, $2/hour $16 Daily Max rate, seven days a week, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Keep your ticket with you, and pay at one of the Pay-on-Foot stations or the cashier’s office before returning to your vehicle. Permits* cost $75 per month and are purchased at the River Front Garage cashier’s office.
- This parking garage has electric vehicle charging stations.
- To find out more detailed information please search PlugShare.
Lot No. 11: The Front Street South Parking Lot (328 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Front Street South Parking Lot is located on Front Street, just north of Laurel Street and next to the San Lorenzo River levee. It is free and is open 24 hours a day. It has a 3-hour time limit, Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lot is unlimited all day on Sundays and holidays.
Lot No. 13: The City Hall Parking Lot (809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The City Hall Parking Lot is located next to the City Hall complex on the north side of Church Street, between Chestnut and Center streets. It provides 3-hour visitor parking and reserved employee parking. The 3-hour time limit is in effect Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lot is unlimited all day on Sundays.
Lot No. 14: The Central Branch Library Parking Lot (224 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Central Branch Library lot is located on Locust Street (between Cedar and Center streets), next to the Central Branch. It provides 3-hour visitor and reserved employee parking. The 3-hour time limit is in effect Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lot is unlimited all day on Sundays and holidays.
Lot No. 16: The Sentinel Parking Lot (204 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Sentinel lot is located on Church Street between Cedar and Center Streets. The lot is pay-by-space hourly parking with a $2/hour $16 Daily Max rate. The fee is charged seven days a week, including holidays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Remember your space number and pay at any pay-station or pay by phone with Parkmobile. Permits cost $165 per quarter and may be purchased at the Parking Office in the Locust Garage (124 Locust Street). This lot is subject to closure to public parking for special events.
Lot No. 17: The Laurel Street Extension Permit Parking Lot (200 Laurel Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Laurel Street Extension lot is located at the intersection of Spruce and Laurel Streets Extension. It is a metered parking lot. Parking meters operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Sunday. The lot has persons with disabilities parking during events at the Kaiser Permanente Arena.
Lot No. 20: Birch Lane between Pacific and Cedar Streets (114 Birch Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Birch Lane permit parking is located on Birch Lane between Pacific and Cedar Streets. Parking by permit only. Permits are available for $75 per month and may be purchased at the Parking Office in the Locust Garage (124 Locust Street).
Lot No. 26: The Police Department Parking Lot (155 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
The Police Department parking lot is located on Center Street at Laurel Street, next to the Police Department. It provides 3-hour visitor and reserved parking. The 3-hour time limit is in effect Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Note: Downtown lot and garage permits are limited to people who work or live in the Downtown Commercial District.