The Ultimate Guide to Visitor Parking at UCLA
Navigating parking at UCLA can feel like a daunting task. With a large number of students, faculty, staff, and visitors all vying for limited spaces, finding a convenient and affordable parking option requires careful planning and knowledge of the available resources. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of visitor parking at UCLA, covering everything from official permits and rates to alternative solutions and sustainable transportation options.
Understanding the UCLA Parking Landscape
UCLA's own data indicates that over 20,000 people drive to campus regularly, all competing for a slice of the 22,000 available spaces. This high demand, coupled with the dynamics of class schedules, events, and campus life, means that parking spots fill up quickly. Whether you're a first-time visitor, a returning guest, or simply trying to attend an event on campus, understanding the parking system is crucial for a stress-free experience.
Official Visitor Parking Options
UCLA offers several official parking options for visitors, each with its own set of rates, locations, and regulations.
Pay-by-Plate System
UCLA utilizes a "pay-by-plate" system in all its visitor parking areas. This eliminates the need for paper tickets on your dashboard. Instead, you pay for parking immediately after parking your car.
How it Works
- Locate a self-service pay station in the visitor lot or structure.
- Enter your vehicle's license plate number.
- Pay for the desired amount of time.
If your vehicle doesn't have a license plate (e.g., a brand new car), you can enter the last six digits of your VIN.
Read also: UCF Graduation Parking Info
Payment Options
- Pay Stations: Accept cash ($1, $5, and $10 bills) and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx). Note that pay stations do not give change, so it's best to have the exact amount.
- ParkMobile App: A convenient option that allows you to pay for parking through your smartphone. Download the app, create an account with your license plate and payment information, and enter the zone number for your parking area (posted on signs near the pay stations). The app charges a small convenience fee (around $0.45 per transaction) and sends a text reminder 15 minutes before your time expires, allowing you to extend your parking remotely.
Visitor Parking Rates and Locations
Parking rates vary based on location and time of day, ranging from approximately $5 for one hour to $17 for an all-day pass. Daily spots are sold on a space-available basis and are non-refundable.
Here's a guide to some of the major visitor parking structures and their proximity to campus landmarks:
- Parking Structure 2: Convenient for North Campus, near Melnitz Hall and the James Bridges Theater.
- Parking Structure 3: Ideal for visitors to the School of Theater, Film & Television.
- Parking Structures 4 & 7: Excellent for central campus locations like Pauley Pavilion, the John Wooden Center, and Ackerman Union.
- Parking Structure 5: The primary structure for Royce Hall.
Bruin ePermit Courtesy Parking
Departments can utilize the Bruin ePermit system to provide courtesy parking for their guests. This option allows departments to pay for their guests' parking and enables guests to park in campus locations without designated visitor parking.
How it Works
- Departments request Bruin ePermit courtesy parking.
- Coordinators provide guests with a unique URL to create an account.
- Guests register their vehicle's license plate the day before the event.
Bruin ePermit courtesy parking is available Monday through Friday and all day on weekends, subject to approval. Departments are only billed for completed transactions.
Gameday and Special Event Parking
Parking during gamedays and special events presents a unique challenge due to increased demand and specific regulations.
Read also: Parking Solutions for Students
On-Campus Events
For major events held on campus, such as those at Pauley Pavilion or Royce Hall, UCLA designates specific parking structures for attendees. Parking is restricted to these designated areas.
- Events at Royce Hall typically utilize Structures 2 & 5.
- Pauley Pavilion events often use Structures 4, 7, & 8.
The cost is usually a flat event rate, often around $14 or $17 per day. Pre-purchasing parking online through the Bruin ePermit portal's event section is strongly recommended to guarantee a spot and avoid lines at pay stations. You can also use pay stations or the ParkMobile app on-site.
UCLA Football at the Rose Bowl
UCLA Football games are held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, not on the main campus. Parking is managed by the Rose Bowl stadium itself.
Parking Options
- On-Site Parking: Lots open six hours before kickoff. Parking is sold by the City of Pasadena on game day in lots like Lot H and the Brookside Golf Course. Single-game parking passes can often be purchased online in advance. Season ticket holders and Wooden Athletic Fund donors receive priority access to the best lots.
- The Parsons Shuttle: A popular and convenient option. Park at the Parsons complex parking lot in Pasadena (100 W. Walnut Street) and take a free shuttle directly to the stadium. The shuttle runs continuously starting three hours before kickoff. This option is generally cheaper than parking at the stadium and avoids the worst of the traffic.
- Third-Party Apps: Services like SpotHero and ParkWhiz allow you to book parking in lots and garages around the Rose Bowl area in advance. This can sometimes be a cheaper option, but be prepared for a walk to the stadium.
Unofficial Parking Options: Street Parking
Many visitors attempt to find street parking in Westwood to avoid official lot fees. However, street parking comes with its own set of challenges and risks.
Most street parking spots are metered with strict time limits. Exceeding the time limit, even by a few minutes, can result in a parking ticket. Some areas restrict parking to residents with permits, and illegally parking in these areas can lead to towing. Westwood is known for its difficult parking conditions, and circling the block for an extended period in search of a spot is a common experience.
Read also: Parking at UT
Alternative Solutions: Prked
Prked connects you with homeowners in the neighborhoods around UCLA who are renting out their unused driveways and garages. This service offers a guaranteed parking spot that is often more affordable than official lots, especially during peak times like gamedays. You can book a private spot in advance, eliminating the stress and uncertainty of finding parking.
Sustainable Transportation Alternatives
UCLA encourages sustainable transportation and offers several programs to make it easier to get to campus without driving.
- Public Transit: UCLA heavily subsidizes transit passes. The Bruin U-Pass for undergrads and the Bruin Grad Pass offer fare-free rides on several transit agencies, including LA Metro and Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. Employees can purchase the Commuter All-Access Pass at a discounted rate.
- BruinBus: UCLA’s free campus shuttle service operates on five different routes around campus and Westwood, including shuttles to off-campus university apartments. You can track the buses in real-time using an app.
- Biking: UCLA is bike-friendly, with over 3,500 bike racks and repair stands on campus. The Earn-A-Bike program allows eligible employees and graduate students to trade in their parking permit for a free bike package.
- Carpool & Vanpool: Carpooling can get you a discounted permit. The UCLA Vanpool Program provides subsidized rates for those with longer commutes, serving nearly 80 communities across Southern California.
