Sidekick
• CHAT OR TALK TO SIDEKICK •
Sidekick
Back to Parking Guides
Urban Area

Parking in San Francisco - Oak - San Jose

Avg. Monthly Cost
$1045
Difficulty Score
9.0/10
Data From
4 drivers
Parking DifficultyVery Difficult

Parking Rules and Enforcement

Enforcement

  • Strictness: very_strict
  • Peak Hours: 8am-6pm weekdays
  • Avg Ticket: $75

Permits

  • Required: No
  • Apply online via SFMTA website or mail waiver request to SFMTA Customer Service Center, 11 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103 with vehicle info and reason; vehicle must be registered and insured at address.

Local Insights

  • •94103 (SoMa) has high demand due to offices, events at Moscone Center, and limited street parking.
  • •RPP zones like AA, EE limit households to 2-4 permits max; waivers possible based on parking availability.
  • •Permits exempt from time limits and sometimes meters in signed areas.
  • •Strict SFMTA enforcement with meters, color curbs, and construction zones common.
  • •Strong public transit reduces parking need; garages available but costly.

Typical Monthly Costs

$425
Home
$500
Work
$100
Occasional
$1045
Total

Recommended Apps

SpotHero
Offers a large selection of bookable garages and lots in San Francisco, including 94103 (SoMa), with competitive rates for daily, event, and monthly parking.
Save 20-50% off drive-up rates
ParkWhiz
Provides reservations for high-demand garages in San Francisco, often with better discounts on select spots in areas like Fisherman's Wharf and SoMa.
Save 15-40% off
BestParking
Compares and books parking in SFMTA garages and private lots across San Francisco, including variable-rate SFpark locations.
Save 10-30% off
ParkMobile
Supports reservations in participating SF garages and lots in addition to meters, ideal for SoMa and central areas.
Save 10-30% off with advance booking

Parking Guide: San Francisco - Oak - San Jose

You face tough parking in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. Expect high costs and strict rules. Average monthly spend hits $1,045 with work parking at 48% of your bill. Use garages over streets to cut tickets.

Overview of Parking Challenges

Parking stays hard in these urban spots. San Francisco leads with demand pricing up to $8 per hour in busy areas. Meters run Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in most spots. Sundays free meters citywide except Fisherman's Wharf and Embarcadero. Oakland and San Jose follow similar rules but with less demand pressure. Your annual total reaches $12,540 including $240 in tickets. Home parking costs $425 monthly, like SoMa garages. Work eats $500 monthly.

This 75th percentile cost beats the area average by $1,540. Central 94103 zip drives up prices. Plan ahead to save.

Cost Expectations by Neighborhood

Costs vary by spot. Use this table for quick checks:

AreaHourly RateDaily MaxNotes
Union Square/Downtown SF$3-$4$36-$44Validation from shops helps
Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39$6-$8$50-$60Discounts with dinner validation
Embarcadero Garages$4-$7$40+Book ahead for EV spots
Oakland Downtown$2-$5$25-$35Less crowded than SF
San Jose Center$2-$6$20-$40Free street Sundays

Street parking runs 25 cents to $8 per hour based on demand. Garages offer flat rates but check height limits like 6'6" at some Embarcadero spots.

Permit Requirements and How to Apply

Get a residential permit for your street. It lets you park past posted limits, up to 72 hours. Check sfmta.com for your zone. Apply online or at SFMTA offices. Cost starts at $100 yearly. Oakland uses similar system via oaklandca.gov. San Jose requires zone proof at sanjoseca.gov. Show ID, vehicle registration, and proof of address. Permits cut home costs from $425 to under $100 monthly. Renew yearly to avoid tow risks.

Best Apps for This Area

Apps make parking easy. Download these now:

  • SpotAngels: Find hourly deals under $7. Real-time meter maps show rules and free spots.
  • SFpark: Official SF app tracks demand pricing and open spaces.
  • SpotHero: Book garages ahead. Save 20-50% on Pier 39 or Union Square.

Oakland and San Jose users get similar maps on SpotAngels. Check curb colors first: red bans all parking, yellow for loading, blue handicap only.

Top Money-Saving Strategies

Cut your $1,045 monthly bill with these steps:

  • Carpool or take BART to slash work's 48% share.
  • Hunt unreserved garage spots in SoMa for $425 home rate.
  • Park free Sundays and holidays like New Year's. Meters off Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day.
  • Use overnight street parking where no cleaning signs post. Move every 72 hours.
  • Validate tickets at restaurants for one free hour at Pier 39.

Monthly passes beat daily rates by 30%. Apps spot underused blocks at 50 cents per hour.

Common Violations and How to Avoid Them

Tickets cost $240 yearly. Street meters enforce Monday-Saturday. Fines hit $50+. Avoid by:

  • Reading signs and curbs before you park. Green means 10 minutes max.
  • Feeding meters right away. Use app for time left.
  • Moving for street cleaning. Schedules on Xtreet app.
  • No red or yellow zones ever. White for quick drop-offs only.

Garages dodge all this. Pick Fifth & Mission for $44 daily max. Check real-time via apps. Park safe and spend less.

(Word count: 682)

Parking in San Francisco - Oak - San Jose?

Get personalized parking cost analysis and savings tips for your specific situation.

Try Sidekick Free

Data aggregated from 4 drivers in the San Francisco - Oak - San Jose area. Last updated: 2/10/2026