Parking in SLO County is not particularly difficult, though certain areas do get crowded with visitors and during events.
Free on-street and lot parking is available in most areas except downtown San Luis Obispo, which has meters and pay garages.
Most areas have time restrictions, so read the signs, and most prohibit overnight camping or parking for longer than 72 hours.
San Luis Obispo
Parking downtown is most scarce during the weekly Thursday evening
Farmers’ Market, which closes down Higuera Street and side streets extending to Marsh Street from 5:30-9 p.m.
Other times, finding on-street parking can be hit or miss, though there’s usually room in the three parking garages.
• 842 Palm St., between Chorro and Morro streets
• 919 Palm St., between Morro and Osos streets
• 871 Marsh St., between Chorro and Morro streets.
The garages are free for the first 60 minutes and 75 cents per hour beyond that, with a daily maximum of $7.50.
The
Old SLO Trolley stops at the garages on its downtown loop.
Arroyo Grande There are two lots of East Branch Street in the Village, one on the north side and one on the south side off Olohan Alley. The City Council is considering a plan to add a lot with 35-55 spaces.
Atascadero There is a public lot at the old city off East Mall.
Grover Beach There are three public lots:
• The “Beach Lot,” at the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Highway 1, provides beach access.
• South side of Grand Avenue between Ninth and 10th streets.
• North side of Grand Avenue behind the post office between Ninth and 10th streets.
Morro Bay To avoid the parking-scarce Embarcadero shopping and restaurant area, try these lots as alternatives:
• Market and Pacific streets
• Front Street
• Morro Rock dirt lot
Pismo BeachThe city has three lots near the waterfront. It recently added parking meters.
• The pier lot between Pomeroy Street and Hinds Avenue
• The oceanfront lot at Addie Street off Cypress Street.
• Main Avenue at Dolliver Street.
