Has anyone had problems with getting parking at the cruise terminal in San Pedro (Los Angeles)?

[seekatz]

We were just on a cruise that had San Pedro as a stop for the day.  We were shocked to see the parking lot for cruise ship parking full at 9:30 a.m. when we got off to walk around for a few hours.  Has anyone had problems with parking there for their cruise?  We live too close to get a hotel with parking.  Any other suggestions if the parking lot is full? 

[Bruin Steve]

I've NEVER had a problem.  I'd guess the day you were in as a port stop, there was no ship there begining or ending a cruise.  Remember, every time a ship pulls in at the end of a cruise, a lot of folks get off and drive off in those parked cars...So, arriving between 9-10 means there are spots opening all over the lot--enough to accommodate the same number of cars for the next cruise.  There are also employees leaving the lot as their shifts end.

 

That said, even though we live in reasonable driving distance, we've often booked hotel park & cruise nights at the CP or Doubletree...Booking early or using Hilton points, it's made sense.  One recent cruise, that Cruise and Park rate at the CP was within about $10 of what parking at the pier would have cost. 

Edited October 24, 2022 by Bruin Steve

[Ashland]

No..never had a problem. Cars come and go. When cruising out of San Pedro (our home port) we find it an easy port to park at getting in and out. Pay at the gate as we leave...couldn't be easier.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

Never had a problem, never seen it close to full, even with two ships in.

[Cruising Juls]

We were on Sapphire Princess October 19-23 and yes we did have to park in the Catalina Express parking because the main lot was full. We believe there were cars from 4 or 5 different cruises.  The day we left there was only one other ship at the dock. But another 2 or 3 ships had left a few days prior to our departure. This was the first time we had any problem parking. We have another cruise November 5-10 and it looks like 5 ships are due to use this port within that week. Looking at other options. 

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

17 hours ago, scottca075 said:

Never had a problem, never seen it close to full, even with two ships in.

Agreed, we sailed from there in July and the parking lot was almost empty both days.  

[Jeff in Torrance]

I've personally seen the lot full.  You can always drive deeper into the lot near the USS Iowa, where additional spots are normally open.

[seekatz]

On 10/24/2022 at 7:59 PM, Cruising Juls said:

We were on Sapphire Princess October 19-23 and yes we did have to park in the Catalina Express parking because the main lot was full. We believe there were cars from 4 or 5 different cruises.  The day we left there was only one other ship at the dock. But another 2 or 3 ships had left a few days prior to our departure. This was the first time we had any problem parking. We have another cruise November 5-10 and it looks like 5 ships are due to use this port within that week. Looking at other options. 

We were there on October 20, and the lot was full at 9:30 a.m!!!  This scared us as we have parked her more than 20 times and never seen the lot full.  We have a departure November 6 with five other ships also using the parking area.  You have to remember that these ships have gotten much larger, and there are only 2,560 spots.  That is less than one ship's capacity.  

 

Was there a problem parking at the Catalina Express except that it is much farther to walk?  I wasn't aware that you could park  your car overnight.  Any other alternatives besides hotels?

 

[Bruin Steve]

Other options?  

Well, last time we cruised on Navigator (June), we just skipped the drive altogether...Took an Uber from home (Calabasas) directly to the port...and back upon the return,  Shockingly, the Uber ride (50+ miles each way) cost us LESS than the 30+ mile trip home to LAX!...About a $100 (plus tips) round trip--less than the parking fees at San Pedro...And we didn't have to spend money on gas, no wear and tear on our cars...and we didn't have to leave a car exposed in the lot for a week...

 

We'll do the same in January when we cruise on Navigator again!

[Ashland]

49 minutes ago, Bruin Steve said:

Other options?  

Well, last time we cruised on Navigator (June), we just skipped the drive altogether...Took an Uber from home (Calabasas) directly to the port...and back upon the return,  Shockingly, the Uber ride (50+ miles each way) cost us LESS than the 30+ mile trip home to LAX!...About a $100 (plus tips) round trip--less than the parking fees at San Pedro...And we didn't have to spend money on gas, no wear and tear on our cars...and we didn't have to leave a car exposed in the lot for a week...

 

We'll do the same in January when we cruise on Navigator again!

Our DD lives in Calabasas and very surprised at the low price you got from there to the San Pedro port using Uber.

[geomarc]

On 10/25/2022 at 4:29 PM, Jeff in Torrance said:

I've personally seen the lot full.  You can always drive deeper into the lot near the USS Iowa, where additional spots are normally open.

Can you pre-book parking?

[KeepCalmBearOn]

1 hour ago, geomarc said:

Can you pre-book parking?

 

I am going to say no.

[travelin.sisters]

11 hours ago, geomarc said:

Can you pre-book parking?

no it is drive up & find a spot