Which SLO roads are closing for Cal Poly graduation? Where can I park?
Roads and parking lots in San Luis Obispo will close as Cal Poly celebrates the Class of 2026, according to the city of San Luis Obispo.
A total of 7,526 students are graduating from Cal Poly in June, according to the university.
Commencement ceremonies will be held at Alex G. Spanos Stadium, 1 Grand Ave. in San Luis Obispo, on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14.
Spanos Stadium will open to the public 90 minutes before each graduation ceremony, with programs lasting 2 to 2.5 hours.
Here’s what to know:
Which roads will be closed during Cal Poly graduation?
California Boulevard, Cuesta Avenue, College Avenue and South Perimeter will be closed in San Luis Obispo during Cal Poly graduation ceremonies, the city said in a Friday, June 12, news release.
Cuesta Avenue, College Avenue and South Perimeter will also be closed.
Residents should avoid the area around Cal Poly during ceremony hours — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday — to “reduce congestion and delays,” the city said.
Where can I park on campus for Cal Poly graduation?
“Campus parking will be highly impacted throughout commencement weekend,” the city said.
Instead, people are encouraged to bike, carpool, take SLO Transit or use ridesharing services such as Uber or Lyft.
To park on campus, use the entry points on Highland Drive and Grand Avenue.
Lots H1, H12, H14, H16 will be available for parking and will not require parking permits during commencement.
“Shuttles and ADA rovers will operate between parking areas and Spanos Stadium” from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the release said.
Uber and Lyft pickup and dropoff will be at C-2D ASI Children’s Center lots.
“Lots C3, C4, K1, K2 and R1 are permanently closed” at Cal Poly, the city said in the release.
Parking maps and information can be found on the Cal Poly website.
Where can I park in downtown SLO?
Public parking is available at city-owned garages at 609 Palm St., 842 Palm St., 919 Palm St. and 871 Marsh St. in downtown San Luis Obispo, according to the city.
Parking costs $2 per hour, with a daily maximum of $8.
The city said street parking costs $2.25 to $2.75 an hour depending on the location, with regulations enforced 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Will public transportation be available?
Graduation tickets can be used as free bus passes during Cal Poly commencement weekend, according to the city.
Bus Route 4A will be running normally during graduation and will follow its fixed route through campus.
On Saturday and Sunday, Route 3A will take a detour along Santa Rosa and Walnut streets before taking eastbound Highway 101 and exiting at Grand Street. The bus will then resume its regular route.
You can download the city’s new Transit App to track your bus in real-time.
This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 1:11 PM.
