The Music Concourse Garage, free street parking while it lasts, and the paid-parking change coming in 2027.
Last verified: September 29, 2026
Golden Gate Park parking is about to change. Here’s where to park now, and what’s coming.
Quick answer: Street parking inside the park is free through 2026, but paid parking is expected to start January 1, 2027. For the de Young, Cal Academy, and Japanese Tea Garden, the Music Concourse Garage charges $5 an hour on weekdays and $6 on weekends. JFK Drive is permanently car-free.
Paid parking is coming. San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted 11–1 to let SFMTA charge for parking in Golden Gate Park, with the program expected to start January 1, 2027. SFMTA sets the rates. We’ll update this guide when the details are announced.
Music Concourse Garage Museums
Weekdays: $5 per hour
Weekends: $6 per hour
Daily maximum: $35
Hours: 7am to 7pm daily
Size: About 800 spaces, with EV charging
Events: Special event rates can apply instead of hourly rates
The garage sits between the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. From the north, enter at Fulton Street and 10th Avenue. From the south, enter from Lincoln Way near 9th Avenue and follow Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Music Concourse Drive.
Museum pass holders park free. Visitors using free museum passes like Museums for All and Discover & Go get three free hours in the garage, and free parking is reserved for museum visitors with ADA placards.
Street Parking in the Park
Free street parking is available throughout the park and on nearby streets for now, with overnight restrictions enforced after 10pm. Remember that 2027 change, and check posted signs on every visit.
JFK Drive is car-free. JFK Drive, now called JFK Promenade, is permanently closed to cars, and so are Conservatory Drive East and West. The car-free route runs from Stanyan Street at the east end toward Ocean Beach and the Great Highway.
Accessible Parking
Blue zone spaces are clustered at the Music Concourse (the garage and the lot behind the Bandshell), Blue Heron Lake, the McLaren Lodge area, and the Polo Field. The east end of the park has 96 blue zone spaces in all.
During Big Events
During festivals like Outside Lands, roads close and parking in and around the park becomes scarce. See our Outside Lands parking and transportation guide for festival weekends.
Compare Parking Near the Park
Check reservation prices at garages near Golden Gate Park.
Skip the Car
Muni’s N Judah runs along the south side of the park, and the 5 Fulton runs along the north side. Inside the park, a free shuttle has served the eastern half; check the park’s site for current hours. See our guide to getting around SF without a car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parking free in Golden Gate Park?
Street parking inside the park is free through the end of 2026, with overnight restrictions after 10pm. San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted to let SFMTA start charging for parking in the park, expected to begin January 1, 2027. The Music Concourse Garage already charges.
How much is the Music Concourse Garage?
SFMTA lists $5 per hour on weekdays and $6 per hour on weekends, with a $35 daily maximum. Special event rates can apply. The garage is open 7am to 7pm daily.
Where is the Music Concourse Garage entrance?
From the north, enter at Fulton Street and 10th Avenue. From the south, enter from Lincoln Way at 9th Avenue and follow Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Music Concourse Drive.
Can you drive on JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park?
No. JFK Drive, now called JFK Promenade, is permanently car-free. The car-free route runs from Stanyan Street at the east end of the park toward Ocean Beach and the Great Highway.
Is there free parking for museum visitors?
Visitors using free museum passes like Museums for All and Discover & Go get three free hours in the Music Concourse Garage, and free garage parking is reserved for museum visitors with ADA placards.
Where is accessible parking in Golden Gate Park?
Blue zone spaces are clustered at the Music Concourse (garage and the lot behind the Bandshell), Blue Heron Lake, the McLaren Lodge area, and the Polo Field. The east end of the park has 96 blue zone spaces.
Quick Reference: Golden Gate Park Parking
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Street parking | Free through 2026; paid parking expected Jan 1, 2027 |
| Music Concourse Garage | $5/hr weekdays, $6/hr weekends, $35 max |
| Garage hours | 7am–7pm daily |
| Garage entrances | Fulton & 10th Ave; Lincoln Way near 9th Ave via MLK Dr |
| JFK Drive | Car-free |
| Overnight | Restrictions after 10pm |
| Transit | N Judah (south side), 5 Fulton (north side) |
Rate or rule changed since we wrote this? Use our contact page and we’ll update it.