Home » City Guide » , ,

SF May End Free Street Parking in Golden Gate Park

The proposed new parking fees would charge up to $3 per hour
By - posted 2/24/2025 No Comment

Thanks to SF Chronicle for sharing the news that San Francisco officials are considering new parking fees for Golden Gate Park, potentially ending free street parking along Martin Luther King Drive and other park roads. The proposal, which is part of a broader effort to address a growing budget deficit, could require visitors to pay up to $3 per hour at kiosks starting next year.

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission has approved the idea as part of its budget planning process. The department faces a financial shortfall that could reach $15 million by 2027, driven by rising operational costs and stagnant revenue from the city’s general fund.

To offset these challenges, the department is exploring multiple revenue-generating measures. In addition to parking fees, they may introduce a $5 charge for reserving a tennis court and consider leasing golf courses to private operators. These changes are intended to maintain essential park services, including summer camps, restroom cleaning, and community garden programs.

While the department sees parking fees as a necessary step, the decision is likely to be controversial. Golden Gate Park has long offered free street parking in many areas, and this change could be an unwelcome surprise for regular visitors. Although the park has two paid parking lots, motorists have been able to park at no cost on several roads, including Martin Luther King Drive and parts of John F. Kennedy Drive on the west side of the park.

If implemented, the parking fees are expected to generate $1.2 million in the first year and up to $9.2 million annually thereafter. Tennis court reservations could bring in another $1 million per year. Without additional revenue, the department warns that it may have to cut back on maintenance, reduce recreation center hours, and eliminate certain programs.

City officials, including Mayor Daniel Lurie, will review the budget proposal before any final decisions are made. If approved, Golden Gate Park visitors may soon have to adjust to the new reality of paid parking in a space that has long been freely accessible.