New Parking Rates in Santa Monica

There have been significant changes to parking lot fees by the Beach Tennis Courts in Santa Monica.
> More Info

1. New Rates Effective January 12, 2026

For the beach lots near Tower 26, you will see the following increases:  

• Short-Term Hourly Rates:

  • Winter: Increased from ~$1.00/hour to $2.00/hour.  

  • Summer: Increased from ~$1.00/hour to $3.00/hour.  

• Daily Flat Rates (Long-Term):

  • Flat rates for beach lots (like Lot 5 South) have increased by an average of $2.00 to $5.00 per entry, depending on the day and season.  

  • Previously, winter weekdays were often ~$7 and weekends ~$10–$12. You should now expect rates closer to $9–$12 on weekdays and higher on weekends.

2. New Credit Card Surcharges

If you pay with a credit or debit card at the machine or meter, you will now see additional fees that were not there before:

• Transaction Fee: A fee of approximately 2.95% to 3% is added to cover processing costs.  

• Meter Fee: There is a new flat $0.25 fee per transaction at parking meters.  

• Tip: Paying with cash (where accepted) avoids these specific surcharges.

3. Summary of Parking Options near the Beach Tennis Courts in Santa Monica

• Closest Lot: Lot 5 South (Enter at Barnard Way & Ocean Park Blvd). This is a large surface lot directly behind Perry's and the beach path.

• Metered Street Parking: Available along Barnard Way. Hourly rates here have typically increased to match the new "Beach Zone" meter pricing (rising from ~$2.50 to $3.00/hour).  

• Seasonality: Note that "Summer" rates generally apply from April 1 to October 31, and "Winter" rates from November 1 to March 31.  

What this means for your visit: Expect to pay roughly double for short-term hourly parking compared to last year, and a few dollars more for all-day parking. Bring a few extra dollars or be prepared for the new surcharge if paying by card.