The city of San Luis Obispo is offering free garage parking on select days during the holiday season.
Free parking will be available on Thanksgiving Day and the following weekend, every Sunday in December, Dec. 6 during the 48th Annual Downtown Holiday Parade, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
This applies to all three downtown parking garages – 842 Palm Street, 919 Palm Street and 871 Marsh Street – and excludes street parking and regular parking lots.
“The days selected are those that the city sees as providing the greatest benefit to the community and downtown businesses,” said Jennifer Rice, deputy director of mobility services.
The annual program began in 2021 following the pandemic to encourage ongoing economic activity in small businesses downtown, according to the San Luis Obispo Council Agenda Report.
“It’s just a great program,” said Donna King, city parking program manager. “I really hope the community comes out to enjoy the free parking, but more specifically, to shop local and really spend their time in downtown SLO.”
The free parking will also encourage participation in small business-oriented initiatives, such as the Buy Local Bonus program, said Jacqui Clark-Charlesworth, tourism and community promotions manager. In effect from Black Friday to Christmas Eve, this program gives money back to small business owners through the purchase of gift cards, according to the program’s website.
Downtown business owner Kelly Yates spoke highly of the program.
“Anything that generates enthusiasm or thought about downtown is good for downtown,” Yates said.
