Second & San Carlos Parking Garage

There are several parking garages owned by San Jose of which this is one of them. You can get 90 minutes free at this one but know that there's a flat rate of $10 max which is better than the Convention Center Garage (I believe).

You can enter this garage on both 2nd and 3rd St. Google wanted us to circle around to 2nd as we were coming up North on 3rd St so just be aware that you can enter at 3rd and San Carlos.

Driving felt pretty tight as well as the parking spaces. I can see people clipping the end cars easily. So be careful how and which spaces you park in.

The garage is covered which is nice but it was definitely pouring the day we went and you can see where things were leaking or more like heavily pouring inside.

Remember where you parked as you can get up the stairs on both 2nd and 3rd St. Also make sure to pay for your parking on the ground level which I believe had 3 pay stations on the 2nd St. side (not sure about 3rd). Also (unlike us), remember to ask restaurants if they validate. We unfortunately forgot to ask.

Besides that, convenient for the Civic Center as well as the Convention Center if you're willing to walk 2 blocks-ish.

Plenty of spots available Saturday evening. The first 90 minutes free which is nice. Easy in and out. Nice job owners.

I have been parking here for 2 years since enrolling at SJSU. I don't stay on campus super long periods of time, but if you have 1-2 classes I'd highly recommend parking here. I've never once had to battle for a parking spot here, and the first 90 minutes are free. Obviously don't leave anything valuable in your car because downtown SJ has its fair share of sketchy folks. I've never been bipped here though, there is one security guard that periodically drives around the garage.

I parked my car here and came back and found my car, unmolested and not broken into. My brother-in-law warned me to have nothing in my car, and it was empty, which was great. He had two break-ins and my niece had one. That's why they have five stars, multi-night stay and no break-ins.

And there was no picture of my car because I'm not stupid. But, I'd park here again.

I've parked here for a long time (3 years) and have generally been happy with my experience until the pandemic. Since then, I constantly have my mirrors pushed in, my windshield wiper blades messed with. I had my car broken into as well with nothing visible. Since, I keep my glove box and center console open when I leave my car so that I don't have to continue to replacing autoglass. If you take on the challenge of parking here, be prepared for a wild ride. The only thing this garage is good at doing is sweeping up the glass every morning.

The day after posting this, I saw the car in the attached photos with the window busted out. I hope nothing of value was taken...

Car broken into..... I parked for 4 hours 2 nights ago and my window got destroyed.
After asking a security guy what should I do, he suggested parking in the street instead, saying it was safer

Cool that the tech here is pretty updated. Once you pay, you don't even need to scan your ticket when exiting! Apparently it recognizes your car plates - what?!

A number of restaurants (including Elyse) validate 2 hours free. Good deal. And it's free parking after 10pm! Even better deal!

your car WILL get broken into. i ignored all the bad reviews and still bought a parking pass and left my car here! Woke up one morning and saw my car windows all shattered in pieces. They mention they have security but almost ever night a car gets broken into?!?!?! Save yourselves the time & money and park somewhere else!

I was charged $35 and I was only parked there overnight. Thursday 9pm to Friday 12pm. am a new resident at the Grad right across the street. Before I headed to my car to leave I called to pay for a monthly permit since I'll be living right across the street. The woman I spoke with said that if I was approved and received a monthly permit to park (which could take 48 hrs for approval) it would not go towards my parking for that evening.

With no events going on, being in the middle of a pandemic, and being a new resident right across the street, I thought $35 for overnight parking was pretty steep.

The workers here are extremely rude. I had lost my parking ticket...after I had already paid for it, I dropped it and the wind blew it away (100% my fault). The lady working gave me sass and showed no empathy. I already have to fork over an extra $20, you don't have to be a total jerk about it.