What are SF parking meter hours and free times?
SF parking meters enforce from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They stay free outside those hours, on most Sundays, overnight, and select holidays. Check the meter and nearby signs every time. Rules vary by spot, especially in busy areas like 94103.
Key Enforcement Times
| Day/Time | Enforced? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mon-Sat 9am-6pm | Yes | Most meters. Rates up to $8/hour in high-demand spots. |
| Sundays citywide | No | Free except Fisherman’s Wharf, Embarcadero, 9 off-street lots, and events. |
| Events (Oracle Park, Chase Center) | Yes | Special rates from $7/hour. |
| Overnight (after 6pm to 9am) | No | Free in most metered spots if no other rules apply. |
| Holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s | No | Meters off all day. |
Most meters limit stays to 2 hours. SFpark zones allow 4 hours or no limit. You can't feed the meter past the time limit. Pay with coins, cards, or apps at multi-space stations. Enter your license plate.
Free Parking Times
Free times keep costs down for drivers. Park without worry:
- All Sundays outside special zones: No enforcement citywide.
- Nights and early mornings: After 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. next day.
- Major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day.
- Broken meters: Max 2 hours or posted limit, whichever is shorter. Only if it takes no payment.
In 94103 (SoMa), watch for event zones near Oracle Park. Meters charge high during games. A 2025 push to extend hours to 10 p.m. weekdays and Sunday afternoons got stopped due to pushback from residents and businesses.
Tips to Avoid Tickets
- Read the meter face for exact hours and rates. They change block to block.
- Prepay early if needed. It starts at 4:30 a.m. and counts free time before enforcement.
- Move after time limits. No extensions allowed.
- Use apps like SpotAngels to find free spots nearby.
- Check for street cleaning or colored curbs (red/yellow for loading).
Sidekick tracks your parking costs across cities like SF. It shows total ownership expenses, including tickets and meters, based on real driver data. Log your spots to see savings from free times.
Rates adjust every three months based on demand. High-traffic blocks hit $8/hour. Quieter ones drop to 50 cents. Plan ahead to park free and cut vehicle costs.