Free Parking ?

Question

Hi Guys,

We're staying in the Thompson hotel and valet parking is $30 per day+.

Due to the poor Australian exchange rate, wondering of there are any 24hr free parking near by?

I found this link on the forum but its broken so would appreciate any local advice,

.https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ExternalLinkInterstitial?redirectTo=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.palmspringsca.gov%2Fgovernment%2Fdepartments%2Fcommunity-economic-development-department%2Fdowntown-revitalization-project%2Ffree-downtown-parking

Answer

Great question — parking in Palm Springs downtown can be tricky, and unfortunately, there is no reliable 24-hour free parking in the city’s core. Here’s a breakdown of what *is* available, and some practical workarounds:

What the City of Palm Springs Says About Free Parking:

There is a Downtown Project Parking Garage that is free, but it has a 4-hour limit.
The garage entrances are on North Palm Canyon Drive (near the Hyatt) and North Museum Drive (near the Art Museum).
Public parking is part of a revitalization plan, but the 4-hour restriction applies — so it's not designed for overnight or all-day free use.

Other Parking Options & Limitations:

The public garage at 269 N Palm Canyon Dr is listed as free, but only for up to 4 hours.
The garage at 235 S Indian Canyon Dr (Downtown Parking) also shows “Free” on some maps — but again, for limited durations (4-hour limit applies according to city policy).
There is a surface lot at 435 N Palm Canyon Dr, listed as “Free” on Parkopedia, but only 2 hours are indicated on that lot — so not really a 24-hour spot.

What Locals & Visitors Say:

Reddit users note that many downtown parking garages have 4-hour maximums.
Some mention free street parking, but this is not always reliable for long stays and may require careful checking of signage.

Recommendation Given Your Situation:

Since you’re trying to avoid paying $30/day for valet at the Thompson, here are a few safer and more predictable strategies:

Use the free downtown garage for shorter visits (up to ~4 hours). Great if you're planning to park for lunch or shopping.
If you need to park overnight, you may need to accept paid parking or valet, unless your hotel or an offsite lot provides a more affordable option.
Consider parking slightly outside the core downtown area where street parking may be less restricted, then walk or take a ride-share back to the hotel.

Bottom Line: There is no guaranteed 24-hour free parking downtown, based on current city rules and maps. The free garages are great for short stays, but overnight or full-day parking will likely involve cost or risk if relying purely on street parking. Given the exchange rate and cost, a mix of shorter free parking + targeted paid parking might be your best bet for saving money.

Free Parking ?

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