bypass navigation San Jose Downtown Parking
Parking MapParking Programs and ServicesSan Jose Fast PayParking ConditionsDriving DirectionsLocal Links
DashboardPurchase Monthly Passes and Parking ValidationGet Driving DirectionsCheck out Later Night ParkingView Downtown Parking Programs
San Jose Events
Need more info on events? Visit the San Jose Downtown Association's events page

Free Parking Program

San Jose offers ways to park FREE in downtown lots, with free parking during weekend days and holidays, and parking validation by area businesses.

The lot under Interstate 280 at South First Street and the lot at Almaden/Balbach offer free parking weeknights after 6 p.m. and all day Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

Those facilities offering free parking weekends from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. are:

  • First & St. James
    (Corner of First and St. James Streets)
  • Second & St. James
    (Northwest corner of Second & St. James Streets, across from St. James Park)
  • San Fernando & Third St. Lot
    (80 E. San Ferando Street, just north of San Jose Repertory Theatre)
  • San Fernando & South Second
    (30 E. San Fernando St., just north of the Pavilion)
  • Pavilion Garage
    (150 S. Second St., on S. Second just south of San Fernando)
  • Thirds St. Garage (95 N. Third St., just north of Santa Clara St.)
  • Market/San Pedro Square Garage (45 N. Market St., Between Santa Clara and St. John Streets)
  • Fourth St. Garage (44 South Fourth St., at San Fernando St. across from the library)
  • Second & San Carlos Street Garage (280 S. Second Street, also accessible from S. Third Street)  

Click here for more information about validations. 
Camera 12 Cinemas validations

Movie-goers can get Camera 12 Cinemas validations that are good for 3-1/2 hours of free parking at the Second and San Carlos Garage.  Several other garages and lots also accept movie validations.  For the best information, click each facility off the parking map. 

This is the only business validation in effect after 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. If you enter the Second and San Carlos Garage after 10 p.m. for late-night movies, and then remain parked in the garage longer than 3-1/2 hours, you will be charged upon exiting.

Garages that offer cinema validations during the day and evening are:

  • Market & San Pedro Street Garage 
  • Third Street Garage  
  • Second & San Fernando Street Lot – Block 2 
  • Second & San Carlos Street Garage  
  • San Fernando & Third Street Lot - Block 3 
  • Fountain Alley   
  • Third and Santa Clara - The Globe
  • Fourth Street Garage  
  • Pavilion Garage