San Francisco City multiple day parking

Question

Hello All,

We will be staying in San Francisco for a week in April. We will first be spending a few days in Monterey where we will have the use of a hired car from San Francisco Airport.

We would love to hold onto the car during our stay in San Francisco also, to give us the option of driving outside the city on some days. The only problem is that our hotel doesn't have parking, only valet parking that is $67 dollars a night!

Are there any more affordable parking options in the city that anyone could recommend?

Many thanks and kind regards,

Conor Rowlands

Answer

Keeping a car in San Francisco for a week can be quite expensive, especially with hotel valet rates around $67 per night. However, there are several alternative strategies to reduce costs while maintaining the flexibility to drive for day trips outside the city.

1. Public Parking Garages with Weekly Rates:

Many downtown and nearby garages offer weekly or discounted rates compared to daily valet. Using apps or booking in advance can save money. Options include:

SP+ Parking Garages – multiple locations throughout the city, some offering weekly rates.
Impark or City Park Garages – various locations near downtown, SoMa, and Fisherman’s Wharf; inquire about weekly deals.
ParkWhiz or SpotHero – apps that allow you to pre-book parking and often offer substantial discounts for longer stays.

2. Neighborhood or Residential Parking:

Certain neighborhoods near downtown, like the Mission District, Hayes Valley, or Marina, may have metered or permit parking that is cheaper than hotel valet. Be sure to carefully read all parking signs to avoid tickets. Some smaller lots also allow daily or weekly rates for non-residents.

3. Park-and-Ride / Transit Hubs:

You can park your car at BART stations or other transit hubs outside the city center and use public transportation for sightseeing. This method is more affordable and avoids the stress of navigating downtown traffic while still allowing you to access your car for day trips.

4. Alternative Approaches:

Return the rental car temporarily if you only need it for occasional day trips, then re-rent when needed.
Some garages offer a “monthly” rate that can sometimes be cheaper for a week-long stay compared to nightly valet, so check with local garages near your hotel.
Consider using valet selectively—paying a few nights for convenience and using cheaper garages or park-and-ride options on other days.

In short, your best approach is to combine public parking garages with weekly rates, apps like SpotHero, and park-and-ride strategies. This way, you can save significantly compared to hotel valet while retaining flexibility for day trips outside the city.

San Francisco City multiple day parking

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