Best Parking for Petco Park (Cheapest and Closest)
Parking at Petco Park is not as easy as it used to be. One of the upsides of having a stadium in the heart of downtown is that you’re within walking distance of everything - restaurants, bars, and things to do - but it can be hard to find decent (and fairly priced) parking. Oftentimes the most convenient (and cheapest) garages sell out ahead of time, so if you don’t plan ahead, you risk overpaying or having to walk father than expected.
As a local who has bought game tickets a month ahead of time as well as just an hour before first pitch, I’ve really figured out the parking situation, including the safest, most accessible, and best value spots. Here’s exactly where to park depending on your budget and priorities.
best parking options at petco park
For the short, tl;dr version:
Closest parking - 6th and K Parkade
Cheapest parking - Horton Pacific Garage
Best balance - Park it on Market
Best overall tip - Reserve parking in advance for all games via Ace Parking
closest parking to petco park
The closer you park to Petco, the more you’re prioritizing convenience over price. Keep in mind that while it’s a shorter walk, you will have to deal with lots of pedestrian traffic as you try to leave the area after the game.
6th and K Parkade is a parking garage that is super cheap (around $20) and just across the street from the stadium, but tends to sell out extremely early on. There are metered spots available, but they tend to fill very quickly. Keep in mind that not everyone is downtown for the game, so you’re also competing with those who are going out to dinner or a show. It can be hard to find a metered spot without circling the block a bunch of times.
As far as valet goes, it’s the most expensive (around $65). You avoid the chaos of parking garages, but will still have to face pedestrian traffic as you leave, unless you wait 30ish minutes for everyone to clear out.
If you park close to the stadium, you might want to kill a half hour or so at a local restaurant or walking around instead of heading straight to the lot after the game. Check out my guide on What to Do Before and After a Padres Game for more ideas. Downtown San Diego is gorgeous and fun to explore, way better than sitting in traffic.
cheapest parking to petco park
The cheapest parking that is still close to Petco Park (15-20 minute walk) is Horton Pacific Garage. Some of the spaces are tiny, so you may need to drive around if you have a larger truck or van. The lot itself is safe, and spits you out onto First Ave, which is a direct road to the 5 freeway (and the 163). The walk itself is safe and quick; I’ve done it alone and felt fine.
Unfortunatley, the traffic getting out can sometimes be crazy (one time it took us close to 40 minutes to get out of the garage), so when I park here, I try to leave early or hang out for a half-hour after the game ends.
Also note that the lot may say closed when you open your iPhone maps. I’ve pre-purchased game day parking (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday) and have been able to enter/ leave the lot without issue, so if you buy Horton Pacific parking and enter it into your maps day-of, don’t worry if it says closed.
Another cheap lot is 707 Broadway. It’s a 15 minute walk to Petco, and closer to East Village. You may see more people loitering around here, but if cheap parking is your priority, it’s worth it.
Lastly, Horton Plaza (not to be confused with Horton Pacific) is another close lot and you can typically get last-minute parking there. It’s not too expensive and a larger lot, but there’s traffic getting out after games and you have to make a few turns/ navigate a couple downtown streets to get to the freeway.
best parking garages
Park it On Market is the best of both worlds - cheap and convenient - when it comes to game-day parking. Located in the heart of Gaslamp in a clean area, the garage itself is well-maintained and easy to navigate. I prefer it over 6th and K because you avoid some of that right-out-of-the-stadium traffic, yet it isn’t a far walk at all. It’s cheap, and where I choose to park whenever I can (even if I’m just downtown and not going to a game).
tailgate padres parking lot
Tailgating isn’t as popular as it used to be (you’ll catch more fans at Bub’s - check out my Padres Game Day Itinerary for more tips and fan favorites), but there is still an official tailgating lot for Padre games. Truth be told, I hate parking here. Yes, it’s close to the stadium, but when it’s time to leave, it takes forever. The traffic flow just works against this lot; you have to hope someone is nice enough to let you out, especially if you’re leaving at the same time as everyone else.
should you use spothero or prepaid parking?
Parking downtown is a lot trickier than it used to be. You may have been able to get away with non-prepaid parking for smaller games, but now it’s a necessity. If you plan to park, I highly recommend buying your parking ahead of time - even for daytime or weekday games.
I know some people use SpotHero and enjoy it, but I personally stick with Ace Parking because I have an account already and can find parking without a hassle.
Buy your parking ahead of time! Not only does it secure your spot, but the rates are also cheaper. It isn’t uncommon for lots to raise their prices for special events.
free or cheap alternatives
park and trolley
The city of San Diego highly encourages taking the Trolley. It drops you right near the stadium, helps you save money, and you also get to avoid most of the traffic.
street parking strategy
If you plan on street parking, get there early. All meters are paid as of 2026 (no free parking), so it’s not necessarily the most budget-friendly option, especially if you plan to be at the park for a while. If you are a foodie, it can be advantageous though, because you can turn it into a little bit of a walking tour. I have a guide on What to Eat Outside of Petco Park to help you find the best spots - whether you want to pre-game, have a high-quality meal, or socialize before the game.
where NOT to park
If you aren’t 100% on your arrival/ departure time (as is the case with baseball games), avoid metered parking. They are very strict, so even if you are just a few minutes late, you risk your car getting towed.
As someone who tries to be financially balanced, I also recommend against valet lots. $65 is crazy expensive, and while you get closer parking, you still have to deal with pre- and post-game traffic. Instead, park a little farther, enjoy the walk, and spend that extra money at the game (or on food nearby).
Hotel parking tends to be overpriced as well. If you want to park near the marina, Fifth Avenue Landing Lot is a better deal, but it can get a little dark out there at night.
tips for leaving after the game
The biggest pain point is the traffic you have to deal with after the game. Arguably worse than pre-game traffic, it’s just not fun. My best strategies to save time (and money):
Wait 20–30 minutes before leaving.
I sit in my seat and let most of the stadium clear out, being one of the last to leave. It’s more common to see people leaving around the 7th inning, so you still have a little traffic to deal with if you leave early (and you miss the end of the game).
Walk at least a few blocks before calling an Uber.
If you need to Uber to your car or out of the city, walk a few blocks to avoid surcharges and extra fees. You will save even more if you wait 30-45 minutes after the game ends, too.
Avoid the lit-up carts; they’re super overpriced.
Park farther away.
As I mentioned, 6th and K Parkade is closest to the stadium, but also has the most post-game traffic. You’ll experience the least traffic with the Horton Pacific Garage; you also end up on 1st Ave, so you don’t have to make a bunch of turns to get to the freeway.
At the end of the day, San Diego is a safe city and the parking garages are well-maintained and make it easy to enjoy a game (or concert) at Petco Park. Try to pre-book whenever you can, or take the trolley for even more convenience.