Pier 39 Parking Garage

I don't like self check out machines at the grocery store. I don't like pre pay parking garages. I like good, old fashioned customer service.

That being said, the fam and I did the touristy thing at Pier 39 on Sunday. After eating a yummy lunch at Bubba Gump, we were told their parking validation machine wasn't working. We took our lunch receipt to a few other restaurants on Pier 39 to try to get parking validation, but ALL the machines were down. No validations!!

Upon walking back to the garage, the line for the pre-pay parking machine had, I kid you not, at least 40 people in line. Why? Because those machines weren't working either!! After waiting for about 10 minutes of watching people walking away without paying, we decided to leave and try to pay at the exit.

Because all of their electronics were down, the parking garage soon became total gridlock. It took us 30 minutes to get from the 5th floor down to the exit.

Keep in mind, since we hadn't paid, hadn't gotten validation, and were stuck in the traffic nightmare, the clock was ticking on the cost of our hourly parking.

$$$$$$

Almost at the exit I remind myself that the poor lonely attendant was not at fault and I couldn't take my frustration out on him. Finally, it was our turn .. I handed the attendant my parking stub and the lunch receipt and explained that everything was down and we were unable to get validation and unable to pay at the machine (like he didn't know from the 100 cars before us that probably chewed him out). He nodded.

And then, like a ray of sunshine... he scanned my ticket, did some finger tapping on his machine, and said "$7, please". WHAT? HE WAS ONLY GOING TO CHARGE ME FOR ONE HOUR?? YIPPEY!!!!

While their electronic failure was a big pain, I really appreciated the fact that the garage compensated by charging us for a mere one hour. Wait, I'm thanking them for charging me $7 an hour to park my car? Uh, yea, I guess I am..

Pier 39 parking is still a big rip off, but they earned a few points on this visit..

Parking garage right convenient to Pier 39. Best place to park for Aquarium by the bay and the sea lions and all the other little touristy places the pier has to offer.

The parking structure is large but the spaces are tight. If you've got a smaller car there is no problem but I've driven a large full size truck in these kind of places before and its not fun. Bring your expert parking skills.

Parking is expensive - but this is the best place to park when coming to Fishermans' Wharf. Prices keep going up but I remember sometimes you got a couple free hours with validation at the fancy sit down restaurants. Not sure if that is still the case but if not plan on $20 or $50 when you come here.

Its best not to navigate San Francisco with a car - especially not a rental car. Somehow I think by the permanent white registration tag thieves know that your from out of town and have suit cases and passports and laptops and other valuable things that you travel with. If you do get a rental car be sure its not an SUV or hatchback - a traditional car with a back trunk and locking seat backs is a must for the smash and grab that is so popular these days.

Hubby and I had a good experience at this parking garage, well worth it being so close! Make sure you save your parking ticket, since you pay at the machine before you go. They also have a couple vending machines if you need something to sip while you walk! Park on the 3rd floor like we did and it'll take you straight to the Pedestrian Bridge Walkway, where you can access all of Pier 39 shops and restaurants!
~pricing~
The cost is $10 an hour weekdays and $12 weekends, cheaper if you reserve an all day pass on their website for $20 weekdays and $25 weekends! Also participating restaurants offer free 1 hour parking for dining!! We weren't aware of this when we parked, but will definitely take advantage next time! They're open 24 hours daily, but don't allow parking overnight. SYOY! :-)

After reading multiple reviews on yelp for safe parking in sf we decided to try this parking structure it was a good price of $25 for the whole day. I parked next to the attendant's cube. I would definitely recommend this parking structure. And will park here again.

We read the reviews and chose to pre-pay for parking online; it was $20 for the entire day, which saved us $30! It was easy to check in/out with the QR code. I noticed there were attendants walking around in the evening, which helped us feel safe. Other reviewers noted the parking stalls are small and they certainly are; thankfully we arrived early and were able to park on an end cap.

I was so nervous about parking here especially after reading the reviews. I already hate renting a car while traveling, so I was getting anxious just thinking about having to park it and worry that it might get broken into. So many people warned us that SF is just not the same as before and to NOT leave anything visible in the vehicle, not even a water bottle or charging cord. We made sure the inside was clear of anything and prayed that nothing would happen. I parked on the 3rd floor based on reviews since there's a bridge that goes right into the pier. I also prepaid for the day ($20) which worked out perfectly. Thankfully, no issues with parking and was able to also park near the bridge and elevators where there is a lot of foot traffic. I did see some workers walking around so that made me feel better as well. The only downside is that the stalls are tight, but if you park on the end, then it should be fine. If you lock your doors and remove everything visible from your car, then you shouldn't have any issues.

Pier 39 Parking is right next to the main touristy area however it is not just super expensive - $12 per hour, but runs so busy with there being so much traffic that too flowing in from 2 sides, that it ends up so that the first half hour (equivalent of $6) gets spent in merely finding the parking space.

Considering that the place runs as full, either there should be an attendant to regulate, so that things can be expedited or the ticket should become applicable post the car is parked, ie, one should have to purchase at the time of walking out of the parking garage only.

Purchase your parking tickets in advance!!!
Best experience with this parking garage. We paid $20 to park there all day! There were parking attendants everywhere, walking around. Our car was safe. The structure was clean and well maintained.

If you pay same-day, be prepared to pay $50 per car even for 3 hours of parking. This place is large and convenient but overpriced. There are plenty of better places to park within a block of here. And no parking garage in SF is really all that much worse for break-ins than any other - it all depends on what you leave in your car. Leave nothing, especially Bluetooth devices, and it's fine. But skip this place, find the $30 garage just west of here instead.

Too expensive! Park at one of the public lots and it is much cheaper and easier to exit than the parking garage.

Parked here for $20 for 5 hours. I reserved online and prepaid. No problems and felt safe.