South Main Parking Structure

I am super glad to find a parking garage within the downtown Walnut Creek area where they offer free parking (for the first three hours), and then after that the rate seems pretty fair to me and they seem to display the parking rates pretty conspicuously (see attached photo). With the main entry gate at the intersection of Main Street and Botelho Drive (just right across from Gott's), this parking structure was super easy to find, and it was so nice to be able to know the count of available parking spots right off the bat before I even entered the parking structure. And each individual parking stall also had a light indicator that would turn red if occupied or green if available. And the building seemed to be pretty well-maintained. Generally I found it to be pretty clean. So, I am happy that I found this parking garage.

Came here today and all the elevators were broken/out of order. I had a stroller and had to walk down where the cars were going with my baby. This was not safe at all. I wish there was some notice before entering the lot indicating this. I just kept thinking about individuals who use wheelchairs and what they did to get down, especially if they were parked higher than we were. I feel like this was not safe or complaint with ADA standards. The attendants didn't even know the elevators weren't working. Do better Walnut Creek parking, it's 2023. We need information upfront and accessibility for those who need elevators.

This is the best parking structure in Walnut Creek. I suppose a town like this needs to charge for parking 7 days a week (when even in San Francisco you get Sundays off!). However, many of the parking spots and lots have a pay as you go system. Some even take coins only.
Wouldn't people spend more time shopping (and therefore support the local retail infrastructure of the city) if they could pay AFTER they are done shopping? No rush to get to your meter within the 2 hour limit.
This lot is wonderful. Each floor gives information on how many spots are full, the pay stations are plentiful, and the first three hours of parking are free. It's a win-win scenario that all Walnut Creek parking garages should embrace.

Tons of parking, spaces are easy to get in and out of...and the best part? Red lights over the occupied spaces, green lights above the available spaces.

Price: FREE

The new dedicated parking garage for the renovated Broadway Plaza is huge! It's a big overhaul from the street level free parking garage of the Broadway Plaza of yester-year.

Although the entrances and exits are visible, there are some logistics that the designers didn't take into account.

Right of way is an issue once you're inside the parking garage, especially if you're on the second level or above. Going up the ramp and turning can be tricky if cars looking for spaces aren't looking at you!

Perhaps that's why there was a roll over *IN* the garage on the second level after being open for less than a year!

Another issue is cars that turn in and out of parking aisles without checking in either direction before proceeding, nor being able to understand the right-of-way.

It does help to have red and green indicator lights suspended above each spot to know if a space is taken or available. However, there are not nearly enough designated handicap spaces near the elevators!

Free parking is limited to three hours, thus, just one minute over the limit will cost you five dollars.

Once you know your way around this parking garage, it's easier to figure out whether to park on the lower level or the upper level to best access the retailers that you need.

*Note: Security patrols the garage in a small vehicle -- and they WILL slow down and stare you down if you even APPEAR to look suspicious.

(I guess me, with my head covered, while zipping up my big down jacket, while facing a nice car, gave the guard enough cause to check on my. At first, I was insulted, but then I was glad for their vigilance : )

PROS
- Lights to show which spots are open
- Free if less than 3 hours
- Accepts AMEX
- Can pay with CARD at exit
- 5 Floors and Valet option

CONS
- Charges for Parking
- No pay center by the stairwell entrance(s)
- Lights don't work if the car is parked like a jerk (aka too far to the left or right to avoid cars next to it)

My favorite parking garage in Walnut Creek!

Located right next to Crate&Barrel and Stanfords is the South Main Parking Structure.. or Broadway Plaza? According to the Yelp location it's the first but according to their pay booth it's the latter. Anyways..

They now CHARGE FOR PARKING, but here is their current pricing as of this review:

0-3 FREE
3-4 $5.00
4-5 $7.00
5+ $25.00
Max Daily $25.00
Lost Ticket $25.00

And with that fee, you now get the lights above each parking spot (which are ALMOST foolproof) to let you know which ones are open and which ones aren't. I just realized, I don't know if the fifth floor has those lights...

Oh, I don't know if it's just my car, but sometimes the turns in that garage make my tires squeal.

Heads up, if you are coming back with your purchased goodies through the stairwell behind Crate and Barrel, there's no pay station so be ready to either: pay by card at the exit or find the pay station near the elevator.

Catch me in this garage when I'm in Downtown Walnut Creek!

What a rip off! I suppose I should have paid more attention to begin with, but after having parked in this garage many, many times for free (up to 3 hours), $5.00 (3-4 hours) or $7 (4-5 hours), it NEVER, EVER occurred to me that if I stayed a few minutes past 5 hours (which I did), it would jump to $25!! Outrageous!! It cost more than my lunch, which had I known, I would have skipped. I had really been enjoying myself during this first shopping excursion in many months, but that kinda ruined it for me.

Beware
Their english sucks
First 3 hours free and then we stayed 5 hours but says if we exceed the next hour they will charge $5 each hour. Since we stayed 5 hrs then it shld have been $10 only but they charged $25.
total rip off

Own experience so Yelp shouldnt delete thjs

Do NOT park here if you are going to stay one minute past 5 hours. We spent 5 1/2 hours shopping and eating, not realizing that if hit the 5-hr mark, you pay $25, as though you had lost your ticket!

4 hours would have been $7, but 5 hours put us up to $25!!!!!!!!!!

I would think that the Broadway Plaza merchants would want to do something about this. Wouldn't you rather have your customers stay longer, perhaps eat both lunch and dinner in the area, and spend more money?

Talk about a rude awakening! Judging by other Yelp! reviews, we were not the only ones to be caught off guard.

I honestly don't know if prices were posted on the machine where we pulled our ticket. We were too busy trying to grab the ticket and move forward with the long line of cars behind us. If the sign was there, it was not obvious. I am always very aware of prices when I enter garages, as signs are usually posted quite prominently.

We were completely shocked when we returned, and our ticket indicated the $25 charge. At that point we looked around, and, belatedly, found the sign near the pay station.

If the garage is worried about employees parking in the garage, then perhaps they should institute a validation system.

Below is the email I sent to Ameripark which manages the parking garage I parked at as well as some of the parking garages in Walnut Creek

Dear Sir/Madame,

I recently parked at an Ameripark parking garage in Walnut Creek, CA (The garage closest to Crate and Barrel). Imagine my surprise when I was charged $25.00! While the small signs posted upon payment state the pricing fair warning ought to be given to the consumer BEFORE entering the parking garage. On top of that none of the stores give validation toward parking. I'm sure that will eventually hurt their business. Had I known it was going to cost more to park than the lunch I ordered I would have made other arrangements. One of the things that made a visit to Walnut Creek enjoyable was the free parking. I won't be visiting again any time soon. I will also be forewarning my friends and posting a review on Yelp.