Parking Tips
Make your commute to/from campus easier with these helpful tips.
Parking Tip 1
Before buying that permit, be sure to consider all your transportation options.
Alternative transportation to driving and parking is often much less expensive and easier than you think! There are many free or highly discounted programs available to students and staff to get to Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ without the use of a vehicle.
The new BeachGO mobile app gives step-by-step instructions to nearest transit stop, carpool partner, biking corridor or even a safe walking path for individuals coming to campus from less than 2 miles away. This app is free to all Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ students, staff and faculty, and available for both and devices.
Parking Tip 2
If you must park on campus, some form of paid parking will be required. Academic Year, semester and monthly permits are available via the . Daily and Short-Term (30/60/90 min) parking is available using the ParkMobile App or by using the pay stations located in each lot and the first floor of every parking structure.
Parking Tip 3
Fix that plate number! Our campus uses a completely paperless permitting system called License Plate Recognition (LPR). Stickers on windows, paper permits on the dashboard, or plastic hangtags are not issued or required. Your license plate functions as your parking permit. Avoid citations by verifying your license plate number is correctly listed in the .
Parking Tip 4
An Off-campus Overflow parking lot will be available for the first 8 weeks of the fall semester with a discounted permit option.
Park off-campus for the first 8 weeks of the semester (Mon-Thurs), and later that permit will convert into a regular fall semester permit (expiring on Jan. 18, 2026) with all on-campus parking privileges. Bonus: A guaranteed parking spot at our off-campus lot, no circling for parking, and free shuttle service to campus 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Departs every 15-20 min).
*Please read all Overflow Permit terms & conditions prior to purchasing this permit.
Parking Tip 5
Park closer in the evenings and on weekends! All are open to Student Permits after 5:30 pm (Mon-Fri) and all day on weekends (Sat-Sun). NOTE: Please be sure the space is not otherwise restricted with posted signage such as ADA, State Vehicle, Low Emission Vehicle Only, etc.
Parking Tip 6
Campus shuttles are free and run 5 days a week! Just show your Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ ID card to board.
Bonus: Download the free app for real-time GPS locations of all the shuttles on their routes, how full each shuttle is, and even your nearest shuttle stops.
Parking Tip 7
Arrive early and give yourself plenty of time before your class begins! During the first 4 weeks of the semester, campus roadways and parking lots are busier than normal as students purchase books, add/drop classes, pay fees, etc.
Please allow extra time to get on campus, find parking, catch a shuttle or walk to your classes during these 4 weeks.
Parking Tip 8
Upper and Outer! The closest parking spaces on campus naturally fill up first, but the upper floors of all 3 parking structures and the outer lots (like G2, G8, G9, G11 and G12) often go overlooked and remain empty.
Don't bother circling a lot that is already full when open spaces exist just one or two lots over. You can immediately park and get to your campus destination on time and ready for class.
Parking Tip 9
Speaking of upper and outer, why not try this secret hack? The ramp! When parking in the Pyramid Parking Structure, stay over to the right when driving north on Merriam Way. The right lane will merge you onto this cool ramp that will conveniently skip over a number of floors and switchbacks and place you right on the upper floors where open parking spaces are easy to find.
Save time and reduce stress with...The Ramp!
Parking Tip 10
Short-Term parking spaces (green curbs) are designed for constant turnover to accommodate individuals making short trips to campus.
Because of this, these spaces are only for those who purchase the 30-, 60-, or 90-min permits via the ParkMobile app or from a pay station. Student & Employee permits are not allowed to park in these Short-Term spaces.
Short-term parking spaces can be found in .
Avoid unnecessary citations by only parking in these spaces if you have purchased one of the Short-Term permit types listed above.
Parking Tip 11
We have dedicated Drop-Off/Pick-Up Zones!
These are safer & easier areas for drop-off/pick-up, placed away from busy campus roadways where buses, shuttles, and state vehicles are constantly passing by. There is also a provided on upper campus for additional convenience.
For lower campus drop-off, please use the near the Central Plant. For upper campus drop-off, please use the . Both of these locations do not have city bus traffic and provide additional space for increased pedestrian and vehicle safety.
Parking Tip 12
Get with the tech! Follow us on , , and where we post parking capacity reports, lot closures, construction updates, and new program announcements. Download the BeachGO app for free to find carpool partners, bus routes, bike routes, walking routes and log your trips to earn discounts and rewards at local businesses and restaurants. Download the app for free to track our campus shuttles in real time including where they are on their routes and even how full they are.
