University of San Diego - Parking

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Animosity towards the parking situation is one of the most universally held sentiments on campus. Passes are expensive and they don’t guarantee a spot at all. Students can become infuriated by the confusing parking regulations and are often put off by not being able to park where graduate students and professors can. A good rule of thumb is if the spot seems too good to be true, it probably is. Parking enforcement is efficient and strict and when it comes to illegal parking, they are the Delta Force of meter maids. Trying to sneak by in an illegal or undesignated spot is just asking for trouble. Fines can get into the hundreds of dollars. Parking in popular off-campus living locations is not much better.

USD can’t be totally blamed for the abysmal parking situation. Parking is a nightmare all over San Diego. There are a few new parking structures, and parking is better than it was in the past, but students still detest the daily search for a spot and the usual long walk after they find one. Living on campus alleviates the problem a little, as you are guaranteed a spot near your dorm. But commuting to campus is its own little piece of hell. The best possible advice to overcoming parking meltdown is to either get to campus early, or take the shuttle or public transportation. Where it is legal to park is an entirely different issue. Every year, someone seems to come up with a plan to buy a van and run some kind of fantasy campus vanpool, but this does more to illustrate the need for escapist parking fantasies than reveal student business acumen. The Campus Tram will become your salvation. Use it.

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Students Speak Out

smo says: University of San Diego 2012 Other

Parking Fines Are Waaaaay Too Common!! D+ There is no off campus parking close enough to school. They fine you for everything here so make sure that you know your parking permit rules(where you can park, when you can park there, how you can park....etc.) 12345 Parking: December 15, 2009 Report

bosland says: University of San Diego 2013 Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Bad for Commuters C+ If you live on campus and have a car, then parking is not bad. The school makes sure that the spaces designated for students on campus are left open for them. If you live off campus, it is a different story. Parking can take a long time to find. The school is very strict in enforcing their parking policies. 12345 Parking: December 12, 2009 Report

mcardoso says: University of San Diego 2012 Business

Parking is tough C- I've heard so many horror stories about parking and tickets being given on campus. It's ridiculously crowded on the weekends and hard to find a spot. 12345 Parking: December 09, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

Parking is a problem, but where in... Parking is a problem, but where in Southern California isn’t it? 12345 Parking Report

Anonymous says:

Parking is available, but... Parking is available, but sometimes it’s far away. But, there is a tram that comes about every 10 minutes. 12345 Parking Report

Did You Know?

Best Places to Find a Parking Spot
More like the best time. The earlier you arrive, the better. The West Campus Parking Structure occasionally yields a spot.

University Terrace Apartments is a great place to live as a sophomore, mostly because of the available parking.

Good Luck Getting a Parking Spot Here!
Anywhere near main campus between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

For the Record, USD Parking Policy reads:
“Commuter student parking is restricted to white lined non-reserved spaces on the main campus and in the fringe parking areas. Parking is also available on the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the East Parking Structure. From 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday, parking is allowed in the yellow faculty/staff spaces and reserved spaces except for timed parking, 24-hour reserved spaces, or USD-only spaces.”

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