Parking and Traffic Tips for Fall 2019

The fall 2019 semester at San Diego State University gets underway on Monday, Aug. 26. To make sure getting to, from and around campus is as stress free as possible, here are some tips from SDSU Parking & Transportation Services.
Keep in mind that during the first weeks of classes,  peak traffic hours occur from 8:30-9:30 a.m. and again from 1-4 p.m.

Parking

Parking structures on the west side of campus including P7 and P12, fill to capacity rapidly in the morning. After 9:30 a.m., students and visitors are advised to park on the east side of campus in either P3 or P4. These structures require a longer walk to the center of campus but typically have open spaces throughout the day.
SDSU Parking & Transportation Services will place electronic message signs at entrances to campus, identifying structures which are full. During the initial days of the semester, please follow the instructions of parking staff, who will direct traffic to the nearest available parking option.
Starting fall 2019, freshmen living in dorms are not allowed to have a car on campus. The new policy is part of the universities effort to lessen the campus’ carbon footprint and foster an on-campus community for new students. 

Parking Permits

Parking permits are required to park on campus at all times and can be purchased from the Aztec Parking Portal. Student permits are only available online. A student semester parking pass is $174 for day use only and $276 for day/overnight. Motorcycle permits are $37.
Students may park only in areas marked with the letters S or N. Faculty and staff may park only in areas marked FS, S, or N. Special permit areas require an SP permit in addition to a paid permit. Visitors may only park in areas mark P or S and must purchase a pay machine permit from the location they in or from the PayByPhone app.
The smartphone app, PayByPhone, allows you to pay parking fees or extend your parking session from the convenience of your phone and will remind drivers when your parking session is about to expire. PayByPhone has replaced pay stations that dispense paper permits in most lots on campus. It will be helpful to register for an account before parking in these lots.
New parking payment machines have been installed at the Parking Information Booth and in the P3, P7, ad P12 lots. These stations offer hourly and daily permits and require you to enter your license plate number. Daily permits are $3 per hour for the first four hours and $15 for five or more hours. Overnight parking is available for $20. Weekend permits are $30. These machines can also send you a text to extend your time if you enter your phone number and use a credit card for payment.

Alternative Transportation

Take the trolley: Free parking is available at many San Diego Trolley stops throughout San Diego and offer direct rides to campus. Trolley schedules, fares, maps and other information are available online.
Take the bus: The Metropolitan Transit System also has bus routes to SDSU. Schedules, fares, maps and other information are available on the Metropolitan Transit System Website.
Use a Zipcar: SDSU has partnered with the car-share service Zipcar. For more information, visit the Parking Services website.
Electric Vehicle (EV) charging: SDSU provides EV charging stalls in several locations across campus. The charging stations have been upgraded and are using ChargePoint. This service requires a membership and a valid SDSU parking permit to use EV charging spaces.
Carpool: SDSU community members can take advantage of several ridesharing options. Vanpool Operation provides SDSU faculty and staff with the opportunity to share a ride with other SDSU employees living near them. More information on the service can be found on the Parking Services website. Zimride is SDSU’s social network for ride sharing available to all SDSU faculty, staff and students with a campus email address. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) also offers iCommute and Waze Carpool as commuter assistance programs providing carpool and ride-matching services.
The Red & Black Shuttle, which incorporates safety escort program and library shuttle, provides pick-up ad drop off services at 18 locations on and off campus It operates weeknights between 5:30 p.m. and midnight when classes are in session.

Alternative Traffic Routes

During peak hours consider using the following alternative routes:
From eastbound Interstate 8, an alternative to College Avenue is the Fairmount Avenue exit. Take Fairmount Avenue south to merge onto Montezuma Road. Turn left on 55th Street to access the west side parking lots.
From westbound Interstate 8, take the 70th Street exit south to El Cajon Boulevard. Turn right onto El Cajon Boulevard and right onto Montezuma Road. Park in the structures and lots on the east side of campus. From State Route 94, exit at College Avenue and continue north to Montezuma Road.
When leaving campus, an alternative to taking College Avenue during the congested peak hours it to take westbound Montezuma Road and turn right on Fairmount Avenue to get to Interstate 8.

Move-In Day Tips

Students move into on-campus resident halls on August 22 and 23.
Significant traffic and parking impacts are expected during these two days, especially in structures P6, P7, P12 and lot 15. Also, levels 1-4 of P6 will be closed both days.
To help mitigate the disruption, on the east side of campus, City of San Diego special-event traffic controllers will direct traffic at College Avenue and Zura Way. 
On the west side of campus, special-event traffic controllers will direct traffic on Campanile Drive between Montezuma Road and Hardy Avenue, Hardy Avenue in front of Piedra del Sol apartments, at the intersection of 55th Street and Remington Road, and 55th Street between P9 and P11. Westbound Lindo Paseo will be closed at College Avenue to allow South Campus residents to move into their dorms. Faculty and staff who usually park in P6 are asked to find alternative parking on move-in day. 
Please follow all instructions by special-event traffic controllers. On Remington Road, those moving in may park along the red curb to unload their belongings. An individual must stay with the belongings at all times and once the car is unloaded, the driver must move away from the curb.
Refer to the Move-In Guide for additional information on parking.