Where to Park for San Diego Comic-Con 2026
Official parking, advance reservations, trolley park-and-ride tips, and backup options for getting to the San Diego Convention Center without wasting your morning.
Availability can change quickly. Always confirm your permit, garage, date, and entry window before you leave.Key Dates
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Thu July 23 – Sun July 26, 2026
June 22, 10 AM Pacific Time
The lottery registration is closed. If you did not get Group 1 or Group 2 pre-sale access, June 22 is the key public-sale date — subject to availability.
Parking Options at a Glance
Official ACE Parking
ACE currently says remaining permits open to the public June 22 at 10 AM Pacific Time, subject to availability. These are the main lots most attendees try for first.
Third-Party Reservations
Apps like ParkWhiz may show reservable garages near Gaslamp, Petco Park, and the Convention Center. Always double-check the date, time window, garage address, walking distance, height limits, and refund rules before buying.
Park & Ride + Trolley
Park outside downtown at an MTS station where parking is allowed, then ride toward the Convention Center / Gaslamp area. Check current MTS service and station parking rules before your trip.
Drive-Up Parking
Some lots may offer day-of parking for remaining spaces, but availability is not guaranteed and lots can fill fast. Arrive very early and save multiple backup garages.
Official ACE Parking: What to Know
Buy at space.aceparking.com/events
Lottery sign-up is closed. Selected Group 1 and Group 2 users have their pre-sale windows. ACE currently says the public sale opens June 22 at 10 AM Pacific Time. Remaining permits are subject to availability — no specific lot is guaranteed.
Target Lots
Some locations are more popular and may sell out faster.
Operating Hours
Most listed ACE lots operate around 5 AM–2 AM, though some may delay drive-up entry after opening for permit holders. Overnight parking is not allowed.
Rules to Know Before You Buy
No in-and-out privileges. If you leave the lot, your space can become available to another drive-up customer.
No overnight parking. Cars left after 2 AM may be towed at the owner's expense.
One Comic-Con permit per account per day.
Vehicles over 18 feet are not accepted, even with a valid permit.
ADA spaces are first-come, first-served.
Refunds are allowed only until 10 days before Comic-Con, with a $10 refund fee. No refunds within 10 days of the event.
Advance ACE Comic-Con permits are sold through the online system only.
Target Lots to Try First
Availability changes quickly. Treat these as target lots, not guaranteed options.
Convention Center Garage
Closest popular option — likely one of the hardest to get.Hilton Bayfront Garage
Strong target for Hall H / bayfront side.Padres Parkade
Popular Petco Park / East Village option.Tailgate Park
Useful larger-lot backup when available.Diamond View Towers
Walkable East Village option.MTS / Triangle Lots
Useful if available through ACE.Backup: Third-Party Parking
Third-party apps may show reservable garages for SDCC dates. Inventory, prices, and walking distance can change. Some listings are garage-specific rather than official event-managed inventory. Use third-party reservations as a backup, not a guarantee that every garage is ideal for SDCC.
Before you buy, check:
Correct SDCC date
Entry and exit time window
Garage address
Walking distance to the Convention Center
Height limits
Self-park vs valet
Refund / cancellation policy
Whether QR code or app access is required
Whether the garage has restricted event-day access
Cheapest Strategy: Park & Ride
MTS Park & Ride can be a good way to avoid downtown parking costs and traffic. Many Trolley and Rapid stations offer parking, but not every station is equally useful for every attendee. Old Town Transit Center is a solid example — it has station parking and trolley access — but check what works best for your route. Always verify current MTS Comic-Con service, station parking rules, and event-day schedules before leaving.
MTS Station Parking Rules
Park only in painted spaces in paved parking lots.
Parking at Trolley stations is generally limited to 24 hours.
Vehicles parked longer than 24 hours may be ticketed or towed.
No overnight parking for RVs or campers.
FanCon Parking Game Plan
Before June 22
Create an ACE account at space.aceparking.com/events
Decide which SDCC days you need parking
Rank your target lots
Save backup garages
Review ParkWhiz or other third-party options
Set a reminder for June 22 at 10 AM Pacific Time
On June 22
Log in early
Buy your highest-priority days first
Don't spend too long chasing only the Convention Center Garage
If close lots are gone, grab a walkable backup
Confirm the date, lot, and permit details before checking out
If ACE Sells Out
Check third-party reservation apps
Consider MTS Park & Ride
Consider arriving very early for drive-up parking
Avoid circling downtown without a plan
Frequently Asked Questions
The lottery is closed. ACE currently says the public sale opens June 22 at 10 AM Pacific Time, subject to availability.
The Convention Center Garage is typically the closest popular option, but it is also one of the hardest to get. Availability is not guaranteed.
Official ACE permits generally do not include in-and-out privileges. Once you leave, that space can become available to another customer.
Do not assume overnight parking is allowed. Official ACE event lots generally do not allow overnight parking, and vehicles left after closing may be towed.
Check third-party reservation apps, use MTS Park & Ride, or arrive very early for drive-up parking with multiple backup lots saved.
Yes, especially if you want to avoid downtown traffic and expensive close-in garages. Check current MTS Comic-Con service and station parking rules before your trip.
No. MTS station parking is generally limited to 24 hours, and vehicles parked longer may be ticketed or towed. RV and camper overnight parking is not allowed.
Planning more than parking?
Use FanCon to track SDCC 2026 updates, save planning tips, and build your Comic-Con game plan before the crowds hit downtown.
Back to SDCC 2026 Guide