It's no fun trying to find a parking space along San Francisco's Embarcadero in heavy traffic! I've collected some Embarcadero parking tips so you can pick out some potential parking spots beforehand. I live here and park down here myself, so these can come in handy for visitors.
This is the heart of San Francisco's tourist area, but you can actually park your car in this area without mortgaging your house, if you know where to look!
Also included are some suggestions for parking near Pier 33 for the Alcatraz tours. There is no parking at Alcatraz Landing itself, but there are plenty of choices nearby.
There is a large assortment of parking lots and parking garages spread out along the whole Embarcadero area; some are shockingly expensive, but others are relatively reasonable (by SF standards).
These garages and lots charge a lot by the hour (typically $2 for each 15 minutes), so I've just given the day rates.
Note: I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide all the free information I post on this website.
All of these fees can change at any time, and sometimes there are good deals; you can compare prices of the garages in the area and find deals ahead of time with Spot Hero.
Here are my suggestions for Embarcadero parking:
Click on pins to see address, or zoom in.
The huge (by SF standards) parking lot next to the cruise ship terminal doesn't seem to fill up much and the prices are reasonable, though they have just gone up a bit.
Open daily, 6 am to 11 pm (unless a cruise ship is scheduled - see below).
I was there on a busy Thursday: arrived around 10:30, only two other cars there. When I left around 4:00, there was only one other car there. I'm sure there would be more cars on the weekend, but it's worth a look.
Fees are paid via the parking machines via credit card, but there's an attendant/security present 11-2 weekdays and 8 hours on the weekends; don't forget to leave before 11:00 p.m.
Tip: the attendant told me you always pay by machine here, never pay a person. They've had some crooks pretending to work there and collecting the fees from unsuspecting visitors! She also said they haven't had many problems with break-ins there (but still don't leave anything visible in the car).
Also, cars must be out by 6 pm if a cruise ship is scheduled for the following day.
This lot is on the Embarcadero, across the street from the Exploratorium. Very expensive ($35 daily), unless it's for a brief stay, though sometimes has deals on www.parkme.com. Early birds (before 9 a.m.) get a $20 flat rate. This is a huge lot; the entrance is at 1050 Front Street, which runs behind it.
It doesn't mention this on the sign, but I parked there for a flat fee of $10 when I went to the Exploratorium on a Thursday evening in winter, and there were hardly any cars there. Also not on the sign, only $15 flat rate between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Flat rate of $18, out before 6:00 p.m.; evening rate, $18 after 6:00 p.m.
$25 all day, $20 early birds before 10:00 a.m., $20 Sat and Sun.
This is lot is very close to Pier 33 for Alcatraz departures, right across the street from the pier. The day rate is $35, but early birds before 8 a.m. get a $15 day rate (Monday through Friday only). $15 after 5 p.m., and $40 a day on weekends. Very convenient for Alcatraz and Pier 39, so it fills up.
You can sometimes get good deals on this lot via SpotHero.com. I got 8 hours of parking there for $8.
Caveat: I used this lot for a night tour of Alcatraz. Even though the lot was well-lit and there were a lot of people around that area at night, one of the cars parked there had been broken into. The others had not been, so I don't know why that car was chosen. Definitely don't leave any items visible in your car when parking in SF...a sad reality.
This pier has room inside for quite a few cars; it's bigger than it looks on the outside. Flat rate $20 per day (full size $48).
This pier is right near the Ferry Building. There is some parking inside the Hornblower pier, $20 flat fee, but somewhat more limited. It's only $10 for people doing a Hornblower evening cruise.
Day rate $22, early birds before 9 a.m. and out by 7 p.m., $18.
Weekdays, day rate $22, weekends $20. Early birds before 9 a.m. $18 (Monday through Friday)
$22 day rate.
$16 day rate. One block from Pier 9.
Monday through Friday, $18 day rate, and $14 for early birds before 9:30 and out by 7:00 p.m. 2 blocks from Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing.
$18 day rate Monday through Friday, early birds before 9 a.m. $12, $25 Sat/Sun. Near Pier 39.
Pier 19 1/2 Parking
This garage is $25 per day.
Pier 29 1/2 Parking
This parking garage inside Pier 29 is $25/day and $30 on weekends. Even though it's very close to Alcatraz Landing, I don't recommend it for the price and because people have reported having their cars broken into there when it was supposed to be attended and wasn't.
A recent visitor told me about the unpleasant experience he had there. He had reserved a spot online, but when he got there, there was no attendant or way to show he had already paid, so he ended up paying again to avoid a possible towing. He also said no one answers the phone at the number provided.
The four Embarcadero Center Buildings that line up between Sacramento and Clay Streets have underground parking garages inside them. They are outrageously expensive without validation. There is validation for some of the businesses in the building, and for the Exploratorium and Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market, but it's really only a good deal if you're seeing a movie there (free for 4 hours), or visiting the Exploratorium on the weekend or evening ($10 flat rate), or the Farmer's Market for up to two hours on Saturday from 8-2 ($2 per hour for first 2 hours). Restaurant validation varies from $2 to $4 per hour.
Check here for the current details for parking with or without validation in one of the four Embarcadero Center Buildings: Embarcadero Center Parking.
Street parking is not pretty in this area of town. However, there are some possibilities along the Embarcadero between the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge. Look for Cupid's bow and arrow; I've found places there. The parking meters charge $3.50 an hour.
To check out what's available on the street in this area, see Spot Angels.
There are two places on the waterfront that offer special long-term parking deals for cruise ship passengers.
A number of parking apps are available to find and book spaces in San Francisco. It can be a bit overwhelming figuring out which ones to use; I checked out the major ones out and found several I liked. See SF Parking apps for my review of nine of them, or check out my current favorites:
Best apps for good deals on booking spaces:
Best apps for finding a spot right now:
The Embarcadero is a popular spot for strolling and admiring the views. Some of the piers stretch out into the bay, the Alcatraz ferries leave from Pier 33, the Exploratorium is at Piers 15 & 17, the cruise ships dock at Pier 27, and the Ferry Building is at one end of the Embarcadero. For more info on what to see and do along here, see The Embarcadero.
For a list of the San Francisco Piers and numbered maps, plus photos, see The SF Piers.
COVID-19 Status: at midnight on Monday, March 16, San Francisco was placed under a "shelter-in-place order.
All residents were ordered to stay home, except for necessary trips to grocery stores and essential medical visits, and solo outdoor activities like hiking.
The city had been gradually reopening of many businesses and activities, but in December, came under a strict, stay-at-home directive, due to a sudden increase in infection and hospitalization rates.
Since then, Covid numbers have dropped significantly.
Big changes coming June 15 (assuming the Covid numbers stay down). California is scheduled to fully reopen, meaning all business sectors will reopen to full or almost full capacity, including concerts, stadium sports and festivals.
Most recently, March 23, 2021, SF has moved to a somewhat less restrictive status.
Public transportation options have been cut back. See SF transit for more info.
See COVID rules for current SF status.
Mask rules: everyone in SF is required to wear a mask when they are outside and within 30 feet of other people.
Masks must be worn in stores and places of business and people not within the same household must stay 6 feet apart.
SF Curfew has been ended.
What is open? Muir Woods, the Botanic Gardens, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, Pier 39, SF beaches, Golden Gate Bridge, and Twin Peaks (car access on Portola, main parking lot open) are all open.
Parking lots for SF beaches, Twin Peaks, and the Golden Gate Bridge are open. But the Welcome Center lot and Merchant Road lot at the bridge are closed.
Restaurants can now be open to 50% capacity for indoor and outdoor dining, and many restaurants are open for take-out or delivery.
Bars that serve food can serve customers indoors.
Businesses can allow customers inside, on a limited basis (grocery stores 50%).
The SF Zoo is open again.Alcatraz is open. Day Tour tickets only. See Alcatraz.
Hair salons, and open air tour buses and boat cruises can now operate.
Indoor museums are open, including the CA Academy of Sciences.
Travel to SF: non-essential travel to SF is discouraged but the quarantine requirements are no longer in effect.
Hotels are accepting reservations, up to 25% capacity, but travelers are urged to limit contact with others in the hotel.
Exploratorium: still closed.
Playgrounds: open.
Indoor swimming pools are open to 25% capacity.
Schools: many private schools are open. SF public schools will start in person learning for elementary students April 12. Older grades: negotiations are ongoing. Hopefully will open for fall classes.
Limited opening: indoor gyms to 25% capacity and indoor movie theaters to 50%.
Indoor concerts, live theater, and sporting events, are scheduled to open April 12 at 35% capacity. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test will be required. See more info on indoor events.
Some venues are waiting until June 15 because capacity limits don't work for those businesses.
Napa and Sonoma county wineries are open.
For a handy list of what's open or closed in SF, plus info on what's open in other cities and counties of California, see California reopening schedules.
See coronavirus news in the SF Chronicle for details and updates.
See SF closures timeline.
Most recent Bay Area stay home order.
Also see site and parking lot closures for the National Park Service (Alcatraz, Muir Woods, etc.)
Plus helpful info on which parks and hiking trails are open in the Bay Area.
And to check the air quality (fires) in SF and the Bay Area, see airnow.gov and the SF Chronicle map showing current tests.
Get the latest tips on visiting San Francisco.