Sutter Stockton Garage

A very large parking garage in a very convenient location a block away from Union Square. Because of the location on a corner, when you exit you have the option to exit on Stockton Street or Bush Street. On top of this, it's very reasonably priced for being in the City.

Great location for dinner in Chinatown, shopping in Union Square downtown happy hour and more. just be careful when you enter through Bush Street on bad traffic days. The traffic from the Bay Bridge entrance can back up all the way up the hill. Also, while the garage is well patrolled, lock you things in the trunk.

oh sutter-stockton garage (ssg)...
i enjoy parking my vehicle(s) here [not at the same time btw]
it's convenient and the prices are reasonable [at least for sf standards]

there are two entrances:
(1) stockton street [right off sutter street...]
(2) bush street [near grant avenue...]

i like the bush street entrance.
not sure why, just a creature of habit i guess.
lately, there has been construction on bush street...blah.

there are about 12 floors of parking.
each floor is interconnected by these spiraling circles.
one could get dizzy if you are racing up these ala "starsky and hutch".

lemme just say i don't advise racing up these circle ramps.
the blind spot is apparent.
if someone slows down or stops completely, wham!

your front bumper will not like it.
okay...onward...there are two sets of elevators.
yes two...

the first one is slooowwww, and that would be the sutter street one.
the second (and bestest) elevator is the rapid express on stockton.
it if very fast. no kidding. try it out and you'll see.

like most big parking garages nowadays, u have to prepay b4 u leave.
don't get stuck trying to leave without prepaying.
you'll get death stares from everyone behind you shifting in reverse.

also, becareful of demagnitizing your ticket's magnetic strip.
apparently, cell phones can demagnitize this ticket.
i found out the hard way.

i prepaid at the kiosk...
slipped the ticket in my pocket that i share with my iphone...
the toll-gate wouldn't unfold for me to leave...

i had an elderly couple behind me honking...
and sorta yelling...was that cursing too?
that wasn't very nice btw

there is security throughout the parking garage.
that is a good thing.
especially at night.

depending on where you are parking your vehicle...
you can get some interesting views from the parking level openings...
you can view stockton street, sutter street, bush street.

they are opened 24 hours for your parking needs.
oh ssg, thank you for existing.

San Francisco is an amazing city. But we all know the worst part about living here is the parking situation. There's absolutely no street parking and all the garages charge $10 per hour and your first-born child.

Thank heavens for the Sutter Stockton Garage. It's my go-to parking spot when I'm in the Union Square/downtown area. The first hour is only a few bucks, and then after that it's just $3.50 per hour. And it's only $1 per hour after 6pm. Important to note - the garage closes after 10pm or 11pm. So if you don't get back in time, you'll have to leave it there for the night. That happened to me a few times, but it wasn't too expensive (I think it was under $20) - and at least my car was safe.

I've seen some other reviews that have mentioned their cars being broken in to or banged up in the lot. I'm happy to report that my car has always been fine (knock on wood). So if you're looking for a cheap place to park and you want to be walking distance from Union Square shopping or the FiDi, Sutter Stockton Garage is your best bet.

* It's best to enter and exit on Bush Street (the Sutter St. and Stockton St. entrances usually have more traffic).

James K. showed me the way of this garage. Have a credit card and use the monthly parking entrance on Bush Street. This machine will take your credit card to allow you to enter and then use it again to exit and pay. Insanely simple.

Don't quote me on this but I think this is the cheaper parking garage around. It's definitely better than the Financial District ones further down on Bush.

Yes they have a Bush Street entrance by car and by foot!
I have to be at 255 Bush Street once every couple of weeks and it is very much worth the walk from here to pay $8-10 versus the $20 3 blocks down.

Also the floors are colored and not just the signs but the walls so its easier to remember where you parked. As opposed to "was I parked on 3 or 4?" you go "well it was all green so...O yes this floor" and if you're like me and forget so much this is profoundly helpful.

Unless the rates have changed on me, it's been known to happen, it's great that on Sundays the rate is a flat $5! That is a bargain for downtown. And the fact that you can enter and exit on Bush Street is a sanity saver. It's almost like a secret back entrance/exit. Makes me feel all smart and stuff.

Which kind of makes up for the fact that sometimes if I'm not careful I make myself a little dizzy zipping down the spiral ramps. Sad but true.

Hands down the best parking garage at Union Square. Quick tip-always enter and exit on Bush Street to avoid the Stockton Street madness.