With a happy name like Sunnyvale, it’s not difficult to imagine that it is a popular place – particularly due to it being located in Silicon Valley and having quite a few tech and video game firms located in the city. This can make parking challenging, especially if you don’t want to be shelling out tons of money simply to leave your car somewhere while you’re visiting the city or going to work.
With this article and guide, you won’t have to worry about not finding parking in Sunnyvale, CA in the future ever again (and we’ll make sure it’s affordable)!
What to know about free parking in Sunnyvale, CA
When parking for free in Sunnyvale, CA there are a few things to keep in mind (especially when parking in residential areas):
- Show respect to residents and their space – you are leaving your vehicle with them
- Don’t park in front of someone’s driveway
- Also, make sure to not park directly in front of entrances and doorways
- Park close to the curb so cars can still drive past
- Don’t double park
- Lock your car before leaving it – never forget that!
- Check if there are any parking signs before leaving your vehicle (this can help you avoid fines)
Where to park for free in Sunnyvale, CA
With many popular tech companies located in Sunnyvale, CA it can be difficult to find parking that’s open and not expensive. Although the city itself is small, it does offer many job opportunities to others. That’s why reading this article will be helpful to you.
If you’re looking for free parking in Sunnyvale, CA makes sure to keep an eye out for parking signs. Parking signs will often indicate how long parking is free, if there’s a time restriction, and if there is a certain way that must be parked. By reading these signs carefully, fines and parking tickets can be avoided.
Each parking location will be measured in walking distance to a central location of the city for ease. At times, a driving distance may be used and you will be let known should that be the case. Still, if using Uber or Lyft, it will be significantly cheaper than walking the distance from a paid garage to your final destination.
Simply download either app Uber or Lyft to take advantage of rideshare options.
Is there free parking in Sunnyvale, CA? You can park for free in Sunnyvale, CA at the following locations:
- 130 N. Murphy Ave.
- 134 S. Murphy Ave.
- 123 W Washington Ave.
- 155 S. France St.
- 200 San Anselmo Way
- 850 Muender Ave.
- 200 Sobrante Way
- 400 Portrero Ave.
- 150 San Lazaro Ave.
- 850 San Junipero Ave.
| Street Name/Address | Walking Distance in min from Sunnyvale Square |
| 130 N. Murphy Ave. | 29 mins. |
| 134 S. Murphy Ave. | 25 mins. |
| 123 W. Washington Ave. | 23 mins. |
| 155 S. France St. | 23 mins. |
| 200 San Anselmo Way | 32 mins. |
| 850 Muender Ave. | 21 mins. |
| 200 Sobrante Way | 32 mins. |
| 400 Potrero Ave. | 45 mins. |
| 150 San Lazaro Ave. | 8 min. drive |
| 950 San Junipero Ave. | 10 min. drive |
Where to find free lot parking in Sunnyvale, CA
Sometimes even if you prefer free street parking, it’s good to have a backup plan in place for if street parking is unavailable. While usually associated with a higher cost, lot parking does come with advantages like higher security, and longer parking times.
Some parking garages are only available to customers and/or visitors. If you’d still like to use these, no problem. Simply spend a few minutes of your time in the building, and purchase something you would use like mints, a bottle of water, or something else. This makes you both a visitor and a customer, completely entitling you to a parking spot. Luckily, these parking garages are incredibly inexpensive!
The parking garages mentioned are free for 2 hours, after which it starts costing a small fee. Some have no such time restriction so keep an eye out for that!
Are there cheap parking lot options in Sunnyvale, CA? Yes, there are cheap parking lot options in Sunnyvale, CA at the following locations:
- 456 W Olive Ave.
- 650 W Olive Ave.
- 665 W Olive Ave.
- 298 W McKinley Ave.
- 325 S Taafe St.
- 150 E McKinley Ave.
- 245 S Sunnyvale Ave.
- 164 S Frances St.
- 200 W Evelyn Ave.
- 129 S Sunnyvale Ave.
| Street Address / Name | Walking Distance in min to Sunnyvale Square | Who can park here? |
| 456 W Olive Ave. | 8 mins. | Visitors |
| 650 W Olive Ave. | 7 mins. | Visitors |
| 665 W Olive Ave. | 7 mins. | Visitors |
| 298 W McKinley Ave. | 19 mins. | Customers |
| 325 S Taafe St. | 17 mins. | Everyone |
| 150 E McKinley Ave. | 21 mins. | Everyone |
| 245 S Sunnyvale Ave. | 24 mins. | Everyone |
| 164 S. Frances St. | 23 mins. | Everyone |
| 129 S. Sunnyvale Ave. | 26 mins. | Everyone |
| 200 W Evelyn Ave. | 25 mins. | Everyone |
Hopefully, this guide has given you the confidence you need to feel comfortable coming to Sunnyvale, CA again without sweating when it comes to parking!
Related questions:
Can one park overnight in Sunnyvale, CA? Yes, guests can park overnight with a valid parking permit. More information on how to obtain one is below.
How do I get a Sunnyvale parking permit? If you are a resident, simply fill out the application available online at www.sunnyvale.ca.gov. If you are a guest, you can apply for a short-term parking permit at the Department of Public Works. This will allow you to park up to 24 hours at any of the permit parking.
Where can I pay off my Sunnyvale, CA parking fine? You can pay your parking citation online, or mail a check to the Citation Processing Center located in Sunnyvale, CA. You can find the exact address on Sunnyvale’s government website.
When does street sweeping start in Sunnyvale, CA? Street sweeping affects parking capability. Find the exact schedule for street sweeping on www.sunnyvale.ca.gov so you know to move your car prior to scheduled street sweeping occurring.
