Santa Monica, CA, is known for its beautiful beaches, Pacific Park, and Santa Monica Pier, which can bring in a lot of tourists and make it extremely difficult to find parking. We’ve put together this article to save you time, money, and frustration. You’ll find yourself becoming a pro at finding free parking in Santa Monica in no time!
Does Santa Monica have Free Parking?
While Santa Monica is a hot destination for tourists, college students, and nature fans alike, there is some free parking to be found. Given how high the demand is for parking, free or paid, it’s probably best to go early to find a parking spot convenient for you and close to your final destination.
Does Santa Monica have free parking? Santa Monica does have some free parking. Here are a few roads you can park on in Santa Monica free of charge:
- 350 California Ave.
- 1118 Fifth St.
- Second St.
- 137 Strand St.
- 2010 Third St.
- 1966 Fourth St.
- 401 Bay St.
- 1127 Sixth St.
- 1658 Ninth St.
- 1644 Eleventh St.
Read on for more details of great locations in Santa Monica to find the best free parking spots.
What to Know about Parking for Free in Santa Monica, CA
When you park for free in Santa Monica, CA, you’ll want to consider the following due to a lot of the free and cheap parking being in residential areas:
- Don’t park in front, of anyone’s driveway
- Don’t block anyone’s entrances or doorways
- Be friendly to the locals
- Park close to the curb
- Don’t double park
- Make sure you lock your car before leaving it
- Check for/the parking signs before leaving your vehicle
Free Parking in Downtown Santa Monica
Downtown Santa Monica has so much to offer in terms of shopping. It’s well-known for its abundance of stores and higher-end shopping district featuring boutiques. Therefore parking can get full even though there is a lot of free parking available. Parking can be free for anywhere from 2 hours to 1 day, so make sure you know the time limit when you park.
Is there free parking in downtown Santa Monica? Yes, there is free parking in downtown Santa Monica at the following locations:
- 1033 Lincoln Blvd.
- 1032 7th St.
- 448 Idaho Ave.
- 351 Washington Ave.
- 350 California Ave.
- 1118 Fifth St.
- 1127 Sixth St.
- 1658 Ninth St.
- 1644 Eleventh St.
| Free Parking In Santa Monica | Walking distance to Reed Park |
| 1033 Lincoln Blvd. | 2 mins. |
| 1032 7th St. | 3 mins. |
| 1127 Sixth St. | 4 mins. |
| 1118 Fifth St. | 5 mins. |
| 350 California Ave. | 7 mins. |
| 351 Washington Ave. | 10 mins. |
| 448 Idaho Ave. | 11 mins. |
| 1658 Ninth St. | 18 mins. |
| 1644 Eleventh St. | 19 mins. |
90-minute Free Parking in Santa Monica
Santa Monica has many parking garages all over downtown. Several of these garages are free for 90-minutes. After that, parking does cost. Parking garages make for a great place to park since they often offer more security than street parking.
Is there 90-minute free parking in Santa Monica? Yes, there is 90-minute free parking in Santa Monica at the following locations:
- Fourth St.
- Second St.
- Broadway
It’s best to check out the detailed parking map on the Santa Monica website. The map will show the exact locations of these parking garages that offer 90-minute free parking.
Free Parking near Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier has a lot to offer in terms of fun for the family. There are carnival games and rides and plenty of food for everyone to enjoy. In terms of parking, there isn’t anything directly at the pier. However, free parking is available within walking distance from Santa Monica Pier.
Is there free parking near Santa Monica Pier? Yes, you can find free parking near Santa Monica Pier at the following locations:
- 151 Bicknell Ave.
- 144 Pacific St.
- 137 Strand St.
- 2010 Third St.
- 1966 Fourth St.
- 401 Bay St.
- 2314 Second St.
- 2320 Fifth St.
- 418 Hollister Ave.
| Free Parking near Santa Monica Pier | Walking distance to Santa Monica Pier |
| 151 Bicknell Ave. | 16 mins. |
| 144 Pacific St. | 18 mins. |
| 137 Strand St. | 19 mins. |
| 2010 Third St. | 19 mins. |
| 1966 Fourth St. | 20 mins. |
| 401 Bay St. | 20 mins. |
| 2314 Second St. | 21 mins. |
| 2320 Fifth St. | 26 mins. |
| 418 Hollister Ave. | 26 mins. |
Free Parking near the Santa Monica Promenade
The Santa Monica Promenade is located in downtown Santa Monica and has a bunch of cafes and clothing stores lining either side of it. It’s a great place to meet with friends and family. Because it’s such a great meeting place, many people try to get as close parking as possible. This means that it’s rather challenging to find free parking. However, free parking is available within walking distance.
Is there free parking near the Santa Monica Promenade? Yes, there is free parking near the Santa Monica Promenade at the following locations:
- 1432 Seventh St.
- 1548 Sixth St.
- 1112 Third St.
- 200 California Ave.
- 1118 Fifth St.
| Free Parking near the Santa Monica Promenade | Walking distance to Santa Monica Promenade |
| 1112 Third St. | 8 mins. |
| 200 California Ave. | 9 mins. |
| 1118 Fifth St. | 10 mins. |
| 1432 Seventh St. | 10 mins. |
| 1548 Sixth St. | 12 mins. |
Free Parking near UCLA Santa Monica Hospital
When visiting someone at the hospital, the last thing you want to worry about is parking costs. Parking near UCLA’s Santa Monica Medical Center can be difficult to navigate when you don’t know which is free or paid. That’s why we’re here to help you.
Is there free parking near UCLA Santa Monica Hospital? Yes, there’s free parking near UCLA Santa Monica Hospital at the following locations:
- 1250 Sixteenth St.
- 1401 Fourteenth St.
- 1348 Eighteenth St.
- 1617 California Ave
- 1853 Arizona Ave.
- 1031 Seventeenth St.
| Free Parking near UCLA Santa Monica Hospital | Walking distance to UCLA Santa Monica Hospital |
| 1250 Sixteenth St. | 5 mins. |
| 1401 Fourteenth St. | 6 mins. |
| 1348 Eighteenth St. | 8 mins. |
| 1617 California Ave. | 8 mins. |
| 1853 Arizona Ave. | 8 mins. |
| 1031 Seventeenth St. | 10 mins. |
Hotels in Santa Monica with Free Parking
Hotels often have the best parking. The parking is safe, and if you’re lucky, it’s free. Few people want to pay extra for parking when they’re already paying $100+ per night for a hotel. There are plenty of hotels in Santa Monica, CA, that offers free parking as a perk for staying with them. We’ve listed them for you below.
Are there hotels in Santa Monica, CA, with free parking? Yes, you can find hotels in Santa Monica with free parking, specifically the following ones:
- Days Inn by Wyndham Santa Monica
- Comfort Inn Santa Monica
- SureStay Hotel by Best Western
- Travelodge by Wyndham Santa Monica
- Found Hotel
| Hotels in Santa Monica with Free Parking | Walking distance to The Lighthouse Christian Academy |
| Comfort Inn Santa Monica | 2 mins. |
| Days Inn by Wyndham Santa Monica | 3 mins. |
| Found Hotel | 12 mins. |
| SureStay Hotel by Best Western | 28 mins. |
| Travelodge by Wyndham Santa Monica | 29 mins. |
Hotels near Santa Monica Pier with Free Parking
When going to Santa Monica, many people staying at hotels are looking to be close to the pier. One big perk of some hotels is free parking. Unfortunately, there are no hotels within walking distance from Santa Monica pier with free parking.
Are there hotels near Santa Monica Pier with free parking? No, there are no hotels near Santa Monica Pier with free parking.
Free Electric Vehicle (EV) Parking in Santa Monica, CA
If you’re the proud owner of an electric vehicle (EV) like a Tesla, you get special privileges that other vehicle owners are not privy to. Anyone with an Electic car can park at metered parking in Santa Monica completely free. The only caveat is that the vehicle must be parked for the allocated metered parking time only and no longer. Example: 2 hours metered parking would allow for 2 hours free parking with an EV.
Is there free EV parking in Santa Monica? Yes, there is free electric vehicle parking in the following locations:
- 806 Broadway St.
- 1510 Tenth St.
- 1512 Euclid St.
- 1127 Santa Monica Boulevard
- 1444 Lincoln Blvd.
- 1301 Colorado Ave.
- 1051 Olympic Blvd.
- 1424 Twelfth St.
- 1459 Arizona Ave.
| Free Electric Vehicle (EV) Parking in Santa Monica | Walking distance to Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center |
| 1127 Santa Monica Blvd. | 3 mins. |
| 1424 Twelfth St. | 5 mins. |
| 1510 Tenth St. | 7 mins. |
| 806 Broadway St. | 9 mins. |
| 1512 Euclid St. | 9 mins. |
| 1444 Lincoln Blvd. | 9 mins. |
| 1459 Arizona Ave. | 9 mins. |
| 1301 Colorado Ave. | 12 mins. |
| 1051 Olympic Blvd. | 12 mins. |
Free Overnight Parking near Santa Monica
Sometimes 2, hour parking just doesn’t do it. You need longer-term parking, meaning occasionally overnight. Thankfully, Santa Monica does have free overnight parking, as it otherwise can get expensive when you have to pay for so many consecutive hours of parking.
Is there free overnight parking near Santa Monica? Yes, you can find free overnight parking near Santa Monica, CA, at the following locations:
- 1334 Sixteenth St.
- 1555 Arizona Ave.
- 1431 Colorado Ave.
- 1418 Fourteenth St.
- 1130 Santa Monica Blvd.
- 1575 Broadway
- 1601 Historic Rte 66
- 1525 Euclid St.
- 1507 16th Ct.
| Free Overnight Parking near Santa Monica | Walking distance to The Cove Skatepark |
| 1431 Colorado Ave. | 6 mins. |
| 1525 Euclid St. | 7 mins. |
| 1418 Fourteenth St. | 10 mins. |
| 1575 Broadway | 10 mins. |
| 1507 16th Ct. | 10 mins. |
| 1130 Santa Monica Blvd. | 13 mins. |
| 1555 Arizona Ave. | 15 mins. |
| 1334 Sixteenth St. | 15 mins. |
| 1601 Historic Rte. 66 | 30 mins. |
Note: Some of these parking locations are free for anywhere between 12 hours and five days. Additionally, some of it is metered parking, where overnight is free during specific hours, so stay within the limited times.
Free weekend parking in Santa Monica, CA
If you’re meeting with friends or family on the weekend in Santa Monica, you probably want to know if there’s free parking available. And the good news is – that there is! While free weekend parking is limited, it does exist!
Is there free weekend parking in Santa Monica, CA? Yes, free weekend parking in Santa Monica, CA, is available at the following locations:
- 1427 Fourteenth St.
- 1250 Sixteenth St.
- 1616 Broadway St.
- 1555 Arizona Ave.
- 1658 Ninth St.14
| Free weekend parking in Santa Monica, FL | Walking distance to Euclid Park |
| 1427 Fourteenth St. | 5 mins. |
| 1616 Broadway St. | 7 mins. |
| 1555 Arizona Ave. | 12 mins. |
| 1250 Sixteenth St. | 14 mins. |
| 1658 Ninth St. | 14 mins. |
Free RV Parking in Santa Monica
Driving cross country with an RV is quite a typical adventure for American families. However, RV parking can get quite expensive, so many people always search for cheap or even free RV parking. However, unfortunately, Santa Monica does not offer free RV parking.
Is there free RV parking in Santa Monica? There is no free RV parking in Santa Monica, CA. However, here are some reasonable priced RV and Caravan Parks:
- Walnut RV Park
- Lot 1 South Short Term Parking
- Mountain View Mobile Inn
- Palisades Park
- Lot 3 North Parking Lot
- Lot 3 South Parking Lot
Free Beach Parking at Santa Monica, CA
It’s not unusual to want to go to the beach in Santa Monica. It’s one of the main highlights of Santa Monica. Unfortunately, there isn’t any free parking available in Santa Monica. You can, however, find cheap beach parking in Santa Monica, CA.
Is there free beach parking in Santa Monica? No, there is no free beach parking in Santa Monica, CA.
Cheapest Secure Parking in Santa Monica
We have you covered if you’re looking for a secure parking option! The last thing anyone wants is the car to be broken into and items stolen, or worst-case scenario – your entire car stolen! The most secure parking option is often a parking garage. Parking garages often have security cameras and guards, making them safer than other parking options. Unfortunately, many parking garages are pretty expensive. We’ve listed the cheapest secure parking garages in Santa Monica, CA.
Is there cheap secure parking in Santa Monica, CA? Yes, there is cheap secure parking at the following locations:
- 1234 Fourth St.
- 1320 Fifth St.
- 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
- 1440 Fourth St.
- 215 Colorado Ave.21
| Cheapest Secure Parking in Santa Monica | Walking distance to Reed Park | Price per 2 hrs |
| 601 Santa Monica Blvd. | 7 mins. | $2 |
| 1320 Fifth St. | 8 mins. | $4 |
| 1234 Fourth St. | 9 mins. | $2 |
| 1440 Fourth St. | 14 mins. | $2 |
| 215 Colorado Ave. | 21 mins. | $2 |
Free Parking in Venice Beach CA
Many ask whether they should visit Venice Beach or Santa Monica, and which one is better. Santa Monica is a great option if you’re looking for a classy, sophisticated, upscale and nautical beach destination, while Venice Beach is more fun, artsy, grungy, and laid-back. Depending on your own personality and preference, one destination may be better than the other. So we will also talk about nearby Venice Beach as well, cause it is only a 16 miles drive, why not!
Best Public Parking in Venice Beach CA
Where is the best public parking in Venice Beach, CA? The best public parking in Venice Beach, CA consists of three different parking lots. These are:
- South City Parking Lot – 2100 Ocean Front Walk
- North City Parking Lot – 300 Ocean Front Walk
- Washington Blvd. Parking Lot – 3100 Washington Blvd.
See the chart below for the parking prices for all three of these great car parks. please note that the prices do go up in the summertime.
| Street Name/Address | Winter Price | Summer Price | Walking Distance to Venice Beach |
| 2100 Ocean Front Walk | $5 from 6 am to 9 am $9 from 9 am to 12 am | $9 from 6 am to 9 am $15 from 9 am to 12 am | 6 mins. |
| 300 Ocean Front Walk | $5 from 6 am to 9 am $9 from 9 am to 12 am | $9 from 6 am to 9 am $15 from 9 am to 12 am | 6 mins. |
| 3100 Washington Blvd. | $5 from 6 am to 9 am $9 from 9 am to 12 am | $9 from 6 am to 9 am $15 from 9 am to 12 am | 25 mins. |
Free Overnight Parking in Venice Beach, CA
Is there free overnight parking in Venice beach CA? Unless you are staying at a hotel that includes free parking. There is only one parking lot that offers free unrestricted overnight parking at LADOT on 2010 S. Pisani Pl.
Additionally, there are a few kinds of overnight paid parking. If you’re looking for overnight paid parking, you can park at one of these locations:
- Marina del Ray Marriott $45 for 24 hours
- The Kinney Venice Beach $30 for 24 hours
About Santa Monica CA
Santa Monica is a city in the LA area and is home to many popular tourist attractions, including the Palisades Park, Santa Monica Stairs, and more. It also has been the setting for many well-known TV shows and movies, like NCIS: Los Angeles and Private Practice.
Many large companies reside there in terms of a place to live, making job opportunities abundant. Hulu, Miramax, Lionsgate Films, and TOMS Shoes are just a few of the headquartered companies. Additionally, there’s Santa Monica College, which attracts many young students.
While the economy and close-by college are a big plus for those living there, it’s not so great for those looking for parking spots. With so much traffic occurring, it can be difficult, but you’ve become the new expert in free parking in Santa Monica, CA, now that you’ve read the article.
Related Questions
Is there Free Parking on Saturday in Santa Monica? Yes, there is some free parking on Saturday in Santa Monica. Check out our weekend parking section of this article.
Is there Free Parking on Sunday in Santa Monica? No, there is no free parking on Sunday in Santa Monica. Free parking starts after metered hours.
Is Santa Monica Rich? Santa Monica does have a relatively high annual income per capita rate at $75,481. However, it’s also important to note that many poor people live in Santa Monica. So, it’s not just an affluent area but a mix of both extreme ends of the spectrum of SES.
Is there a lot of crime in Santa Monica? According to the Neighborhood Scout website, Santa Monica scores a 4 out of 100 in safety (100 being the safest), meaning safer than 4% of U.S. cities. The chances of being involved in a violent crime in Santa Monica, CA, are 1 in 171. Statistically speaking, Santa Monica does have a higher than average crime rate for a U.S. city.
