A memorandum outlining a budget framework for Fiscal Year 2027 opens the door for the city to implement paid spots for non-residents. 

Paid beach parking may be coming to La Jolla, according to a recent memorandum from San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla.

The memorandum, dated Sept 24 and mentioned at the Nov 18 City Council meeting, outlines LaCava’s “Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Priorities,” identified to address continuing budget shortfalls.

Initiating a paid beach and bay parking for non-San Diego residents is listed first under revenue in the framework, “based on a vetted and developed program to facilitate [California] Coastal Commission approval.”

“San Diegans agree that the city needs more funding to deliver services and address the infrastructure backlog; the debate is how to raise revenue,” LaCava said in a statement to lajolla.ca.

“Recognizing that all ideas must be on the table, paid parking for tourists at our local beaches and bays is one such opportunity.”

LaCava did not address what such an idea might look like in La Jolla; currently, paid beach parking in La Jolla exists only at Torrey Pines State Beach, where the state-run lot serves the beach and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

The rest of La Jolla’s beaches offer free parking via a large parking lot in La Jolla Shores and a small group of spaces at Windansea Beach and highly-coveted street parking at La Jolla Cove, The Children’s Pool, Marine Street and elsewhere. 

If San Diego does explore paid beach and bay parking, “it would be introduced early in the budget process, subject to extensive public input and ultimately require approval by the [California] Coastal Commission,” LaCava added.

Regionally, the memorandum states, cities including Del Mar and Oceanside and Los Angeles County charge for beach parking with rates ranging from $2 to $20, with variations for hourly, daily and seasonal rates.

In the memorandum, LaCava acknowledged “the conversations will not be easy and the public may be frustrated, yet we must make the tough choices that we were elected to do.”

LaCava told lajolla.ca he will keep District 1 residents and businesses informed “if such a proposal were to be initiated.”