San Diego, CA
Balboa Park leaders urge San Diego mayor and city council to reconsider parking fees
Leaders of some of Balboa Park’s largest cultural institutions Wednesday called on the city officials to rescind the parking fees in Balboa Park, citing a significant drop in attendance.
The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership sent a request to Mayor Todd Gloria and the San Diego City Council asking them to reconsider the new parking fees, which went into effect Jan. 1. The organization represents 24 arts, science, and cultural institutions in the park and cites a 25%-50% drop across its members during the year’s first “Residents Free” museum day.
“The current paid parking program threatens equity, access and the long-term vitality of the Balboa Park Cultural District,” said Peter Comiskey, executive director of Balboa Park Cultural Partnership.
During the first week of the new year, some of Balboa Park’s organizations saw as steep a decline in admissions as 57% on some days, according to the partnership.
“Over the past two weeks, the volume, consistency, and intensity of public feedback have made clear that this program is causing significant harm to park access, public trust, and the sustainability of Balboa Park’s cultural institutions,” Jessica Hanson York, president of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, wrote in her letter to Gloria and the council.
“If the minimum projected decline of 20% is maintained and applied across all museums, the total annual revenue loss would be a staggering $20-$30 million. This outcome is devastating, unacceptable and would far exceed the limited revenues the city is projecting from paid parking,” the letter continues.
“The reduction in attendance is not just a downward spiral — it is a potential death spiral where declining earned revenue drives reduced programming and further suppresses visitation, destabilizing already fragile operating budgets.”
Visitors to Balboa Park were asked to pay to park their vehicles in city lots starting this month, breaking a tradition of more than 100 years of parking at the city’s crown jewel being free for visitors in private vehicles.
San Diego residents are now able to purchase a monthly, quarterly or annual parking pass at a discounted rate by visiting sandiego.thepermitportal.com/. Residents can choose to pay $30 for a monthly parking pass, $60 for a quarterly pass or $150 for an annual one. Non-residents can pay $40, $120 or $300 for the same levels.
City residents can apply for discount rates through a city website using address verification. Park employees, volunteers and those with an ADA placard continue to be able to park for free. A free tram service also serves visitors, going from the Inspiration Point parking lot to a variety of stops within Balboa Park.
The move has proved controversial. Multiple kiosks were vandalized on New Year’s Day, filled with expanding contractor’s foam and at least one smeared with feces.
Councilmembers Raul Campillo, Vivian Moreno and Stephen Whitburn voted against the parking rates last year.
The fiscal-year 2026 budget passed last summer anticipated $15.5 million in parking revenue from Balboa Park. That revenue number assumed $12.5 million in fee parking in Balboa Park and at least $3 million from zoo parking.
But a revised figure presented to the City Council in November found the non-zoo parking might bring in just $2.9 million, or a decrease of $9.6 million from initial estimates. Officials had planned to begin charging for parking in October, but delays prevented that, costing the city three months of revenue. Expected parking rates have dropped as well.
“Despite the stated intent to protect local residents, both city and county, it has become clear that local residents are experiencing the most significant negative impacts,” York’s letter continues. “These are the individuals reducing or eliminating visits, foregoing cultural participation, and expressing frustration and exclusion from a park that has long served as their communal backyard.
“We recognize the city’s responsibility to balance its budget. However, this program shifts that burden directly onto Balboa Park institutions and the public they serve. As these impacts continue, institutions will be forced to reduce employment and public offerings, including exhibitions and community focused programs that residents value. Balboa Park is one of San Diego’s most important shared civic assets. The paid parking program is eroding public trust, limiting access, and destabilizing the very institutions that bring the park to life.”
Revenues from the parking fees paid within the park must be spent on Balboa Park. The funds can support ongoing maintenance, infrastructure and visitor amenities and may include road repaving, lighting upgrades, sign improvements and landscaping.
Projected revenues remain paltry compared to what was anticipated, meaning the city could face midyear budget cuts.
“The stakes of this program are high, given the reliance on the revenues in this fiscal year’s budget,” Gloria said in September. “It’s now incumbent on all of us to ensure it delivers so we can avoid steep and painful midyear cuts that will impact neighborhood services throughout the city.”
If the projected revenue falls short, the city will need to find money elsewhere.
Balboa Park leaders urged the public to voice their concerns with the city via a new website: SaveBalboaPark.org.
Remarkably, the San Diego State Aztecs can still win a share of the Mountain West title despite losing four of their last five games.
SDSU (19-10, 13-6) needs to beat UNLV (16-14, 11-8) on Friday night in its home finale and then have New Mexico win at Utah State on Saturday for a three-way tie.
The Aztecs had their destiny in their hands less than a week ago, but then lost at New Mexico (13-6) on Saturday and then again at Boise State on Tuesday night, pretty much snuffing out their NCAA Tournament at-large bid chances and apparently ending their hopes at the MW title in their final season in the conference.
But then Utah State (14-5) was routed at UNLV and New Mexico lost at home to Nevada, setting up the possibility of a three-way tie. It’ll be moot, however, if the Aggies beat the Lobos, which will give them the title outright and the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament in Las Vegas.
That’s life in the MW, which the Aztecs and Aggies are leaving after this season to join the new-look Pac-12, along with Boise State, Fresno State and Colorado State.
The big picture
The Aztecs were voted the unanimous preseason favorite to win the regular-season title, based on a loaded roster under coach Brian Dutcher, including the return of Miles Byrd and Magoon Gwath after pulling out of the NBA Draft, and Reese Dixon-Waters after missing last year with a foot injury.
But it’s been a rough go from almost the start, when a rough showing in the non-conference schedule put them on the bubble for an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.
They started to find themselves early in league play by running off a seven-game losing streak, but then lost consecutive games at Grand Canyon and Utah State. Their current skid includes a surprising home loss to Grand Canyon and then a startling road loss to Colorado State.
They routed Utah State at home last week before losing at New Mexico on Saturday and then being routed at Boise State on Tuesday night, when they were outrebounded 37-15.
The last three games were all Quad 1 opportunities in the NCAA NET Rankings, but going 1-2 in those games further hurt their already weak chances at an at-large tourney berth. Those rankings are used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee as the primary sorting tool for selection and seeding for March Madness.
Now they’ll almost certainly have to win three games in three days at the MW tournament to claim the automatic bid to reach March Madness for the sixth straight year.
Key facts
The Aztecs will be facing UNLV for the final time in the regular season, as the Runnin’ Rebels will be remaining behind in the MW.
The teams will meet for the 86th time overall, with the Aztecs leading the series 45-40. SDSU is 21-14 against the Runnin’ Rebels in San Diego and 18-8 on Steve Fisher Court.
Below is a look at how to watch UNLV at San Diego State
How to watch UNLV at San Diego State
Date: Friday, March 6
Game time: 7 p.m. PT
Where: Viejas Arena | San Diego
How to watch: CBS Sports Network
How to listen: San Diego Sports 760 (local)
On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.
The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.
The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.
“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.
“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”
The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.
The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.
UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)
San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.
The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.
The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.
San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.
The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.
Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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