Comparable Schools'
Parking Grades:
Quick Stats
Common Parking Tickets
- Expired meter - $40
- Fire lane - $100
- Handicapped zone - $250
- Loading zone only - $40
- No parking zone - $40
- No permit - $40
Freshmen Allowed to Park
Yes
Approximate Parking Permit Cost
Parking Permits
Permits cost $480 for the whole year, but less expensive permits can be bought for use on certain days of the week.
College Prowler Take
The worst thing about UCSD is the parking. Students are forced to arrive at campus an hour early to be able to find parking spots. After they find a spot, they have to deal with either a 10-minute walk or a shuttle ride to class. Students who live on campus avoid leaving during the day so that they will not lose their parking spot. Every year there are fewer and fewer parking spots and more and more students on campus. Walking around UCSD in a single day, you can overhear at least a dozen grumpy students complaining about the lack of parking on campus.
Not only is it hard to find a parking spot, it’s also incredibly expensive. The cost of parking permits rises every year and so does the cost of parking tickets and meters. If possible, UCSD students try to find alternate ways of getting to school to avoid the hassle of parking. Good options are walking, biking, public buses, and school shuttles. There are also deals available for students who carpool, but it must consist of three or more students. Unfortunately, it looks like the parking at UCSD is going to continue to get worse before a plausible solution can be found.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
hitoyzx says: University of California - San Diego 2015 Biological and Biomedical Sciences  |
It's about $780 a year...
It's about $780 a year or $550 for three quarters for the permit now. |
Anonymous says: |
Parking is kind of expensive; I...
Parking is kind of expensive; I think it’s about $300 a quarter. If you’re in a dorm without a car, you should be fine. But obviously, once you move off campus, you want your own car. Parking is slim. Most people stay parked by their dorms and take shuttles from class to class, or they walk. Once you drive to campus, you can park at the edges and take the shuttles. |
Anonymous says: |
Parking at UCSD is horrible and...
Parking at UCSD is horrible and way too expensive. The amount of parking structures built fails to match the number of new students. You can only find a parking space within reasonable walking distance if you are on campus before 9:30 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. Even then the good lots are always full, and the campus just raised both permit prices and ticket fines considerably. |
Anonymous says: |
Parking can be difficult during...
Parking can be difficult during peak hours. If you need to park during that time, you can usually find something, you just usually end up in remote areas. I’ve lived on campus for two years and have a car here. I just try not to leave during the day. |
Anonymous says: |
Parking is horrible! Especially...
Parking is horrible! Especially for commuters—we park in the middle of nowhere, but at least there are shuttles that take you into the center of campus. |
Did You Know?
Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
Anywhere before 7:30 a.m., or in the Regents and North lots.
Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here!
Gilman Structure
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