Free park and ride in San Diego, California
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) says a number of its Trolley and Rapid stations offer free parking. This page lists each lot with its address and space count from MTS.
Good to know: parking at any Trolley station is limited to 24 hours, and there is no overnight parking for RVs or campers. Park only in painted spaces in the paved lot, because dirt areas can bring a citation or tow. At many stations, vanpool and carpool parking is not allowed and the lot is for transit riders only. MTS is not responsible for theft or damage.
UC San Diego Blue Line lots
Trolley stations between UTC and San Ysidro with free parking.
Balboa Avenue Transit Center
H Street
Nobel Drive (often full by 7:30 a.m. on weekdays)
Tecolote Road
Palomar Street
E Street
Iris Avenue
24th Street
Beyer Blvd
8th Street
Clairemont Drive (new free lot)
Orange Line lots
Orange Line stations in San Diego, Lemon Grove and La Mesa.
Spring Street
Massachusetts Avenue
Encanto/62nd Street (garage)
47th Street
Euclid Avenue
Stations shared by more than one line
Transfer stations where several Trolley lines meet.
El Cajon Transit Center (Orange, Green and Copper Lines)
Old Town Transit Center (Blue and Green Lines)
Amaya Drive (Orange and Green Lines)
Grossmont Transit Center (Orange and Green Lines, 1st floor garage)
Green Line lots
Green Line stations between Old Town and Santee.
Morena/Linda Vista
70th Street
Union Grantville
Fashion Valley Transit Center
Copper Line lots
Lots on the short Copper Line in El Cajon and Santee.
Gillespie Field
Arnele Avenue
Santee (Santee Town Center)
Rapid lots
Park and ride lots served by MTS Rapid bus routes.
Sabre Springs Transit Station
Escondido Transit Center
East Palomar Station
Rancho Bernardo Transit Station
Del Lago Transit Station
Otay Ranch Station
Miramar College Transit Station (free permit required)
Frequently asked questions
Is park and ride free on the San Diego Trolley?
Yes at most stations. MTS says a number of Trolley and Rapid stations offer free parking. The one exception on its list is UTC Transit Center, which has pay parking.
How long can I park at a Trolley station?
Parking at any Trolley station is limited to 24 hours. Vehicles parked longer can be ticketed and towed, and there is no overnight parking for RVs or campers.
Which San Diego Trolley station has the most parking?
Palm Avenue Station on the Blue Line has the most, about 499 spaces, followed by El Cajon Transit Center with about 469 and Old Town Transit Center with about 412.
Can I carpool or vanpool from a Trolley station lot?
Not at many of them. MTS marks several stations as transit riders only, with no vanpool or carpool parking, including Nobel Drive, Balboa Avenue, Old Town and 8th Street.
Where can I find live Trolley times?
On the MTS website and the PRONTO app. This site is not operated by MTS, so confirm details with MTS.
Addresses and space counts come from the MTS Transit Station Parking page; the Clairemont Drive lot comes from an MTS news release, which gives 145 spaces but no address. UTC Transit Center has pay parking and is not listed. Check sdmts.com before you go. PayToPark.net is not operated by MTS.
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