8/9/25

The Ultimate UCLA Parking Guide: Your Roadmap to Navigating the Lots, Streets & Alternatives

What’s up, everyone? Let's talk about something that’s probably caused more stress than a final exam: parking at UCLA. Honestly, trying to find a spot on campus can feel like a competitive sport. With thousands of students, faculty, staff, & visitors all circling the same structures, it’s a notorious challenge. According to UCLA's own data, over 20,000 people drive to campus regularly, all competing for a slice of the 22,000 available spaces. That sounds like an even match, but when you factor in the dynamics of class schedules, events, & campus life, those spots fill up FAST.
I’ve spent a ton of time figuring out the ins & outs of this system, from the official permit process to the unspoken rules of Westwood street parking. So, I’m here to break it all down for you. This is your comprehensive guide to conquering the UCLA parking beast, whether you’re a student, a visitor, a staff member, or just someone trying to catch a basketball game.

For Students: The Permit Gauntlet

Alright students, let's get real. Getting a parking permit at UCLA is the holy grail. Space is incredibly limited, & demand is sky-high. UCLA has been using the Bruin ePermit system since 2019, which moves the whole process online. Here’s what you need to know.

How the Application Process Works

The system is pretty straightforward. You'll log in to the Bruin ePermit Portal, select your desired permit type, & then rank your preferred parking structures. A crucial tip here: the system advises you to select ALL available parking structures, even if they aren't your first choice. If you only pick one or two & they fill up, you might not get a permit at all.
Applications are done on a quarterly basis, so you'll have to re-apply each quarter for Fall, Winter, & Spring. Summer is a bit different; it's less crowded, & permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis without the formal application process.
Here are the typical application windows to mark in your calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year:
  • Fall Quarter: August 4 - 24, 2025
  • Winter Quarter: November 3 - 23, 2025
  • Spring Quarter: February 9 - March 1, 2026
Don't miss these deadlines! They are strictly enforced, & no exceptions are made.

The Priority System & The "Parking Exemption"

So, who gets a permit? Priority is generally given to graduate students, eligible Regents Scholars, upperclassmen, & then underclassmen. This means that for many undergrads, especially freshmen & sophomores, getting a permit can be tough.
However, there's a back door: the Student Parking Exemption Request. This is for students with extenuating circumstances. If you have a legitimate need for a car, you can submit a special request through the ePermit portal. Qualifying reasons include:
  • Child care responsibilities
  • Illness of a family member
  • A crucial off-campus job
  • Academic need (like off-campus fieldwork)
  • Veteran status
These are reviewed on a case-by-case basis & require documentation, so be prepared to prove your need.

Student Permit Types & Costs

The cost of your permit depends on your situation. Here’s a general breakdown of the quarterly rates (including the 10% city parking tax):
  • Commuter Student: ~$324.03 per quarter
  • Residence Hall/University Apartments: ~$405.04 per quarter
  • Night & Weekend Permit: ~$187.94 per quarter (valid 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. weekdays & all day on weekends)
  • Carpool Permits: These are a GREAT way to save money. The more people you have, the cheaper it gets. A two-person carpool permit is around $272.18/quarter, a three-person is about $168.50/quarter, & a four-person drops to about $100.45/quarter.
These rates can change, so always double-check the official UCLA Transportation website for the most current pricing.

For Visitors & Daily Parkers: Your Guide to Short-Term Stays

If you're just coming to campus for a day, a meeting, or to see the sights, you won't be dealing with the permit application madness. But you still need a plan. Here's how to handle visitor parking.

The Pay-by-Plate System

UCLA uses a "pay-by-plate" system in all its visitor parking areas. This means you don't get a paper ticket to put on your dash. Instead, you pay for parking the moment you leave your car. You'll go to a self-service pay station, enter your license plate number, & pay for the amount of time you need. If you don't have a license plate (for a brand new car), you can enter the last six digits of your VIN.
Payment Options:
  • Pay Stations: These are located in all visitor lots & structures. They accept cash ($1, $5, & $10 bills) & credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx). IMPORTANT: They do not give change, so have exact amounts if possible.
  • ParkMobile App: This is often the easiest option. You download the app, create an account with your license plate & payment info, & then just key in the zone number for your parking area (these are posted on signs near the pay stations). The app charges a small convenience fee (around $0.45 per transaction) & will even send you a text 15 minutes before your time expires, allowing you to add more time remotely.

Visitor Parking Rates & Locations

Parking rates vary by location & time of day. Generally, you can expect to pay something in the range of $5 for one hour to $17 for an all-day pass. All-day parking expires at 7:59 a.m. the next day. Keep in mind that these daily spots are sold on a space-available basis & are non-refundable.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the major visitor parking structures & what they're close to:
  • Parking Structure 2: Good for North Campus, near Melnitz Hall & the James Bridges Theater.
  • Parking Structure 3: Convenient for the School of Theater, Film & Television.
  • Parking Structures 4 & 7: Excellent for central campus locations like Pauley Pavilion, the John Wooden Center, & Ackerman Union.
  • Parking Structure 5: The primary structure for Royce Hall. It's behind the hall, and Level 4 provides accessible parking without stairs.
  • Parking Structure 8: Ideal for the Luskin Conference Center & events in that area.
Always check the campus maps on the UCLA Transportation website to find the best structure for your specific destination.

For Faculty & Staff: Navigating Your Options

Employees have a different set of parking options tailored to their work schedules. Eligibility for most permits requires that you are employed at least 43.75% time in the UC Path system.

Permit Types & Application

Like students, faculty & staff use the Bruin ePermit Portal to purchase permits. However, some permit types may require you to go through your departmental Commute Coordinator. This person is your go-to for specific parking allotments & questions.
Here are the common permit types:
  • Monthly Auto-Renew/Quarterly Permits: These are for your primary parking location.
  • Night & Weekend Permits: A cheaper option if you only come to campus during off-peak hours.
  • Cross-Parking (Yellow Permit): This is a pretty cool perk. If you have a regular permit, you can get up to eleven 1-day cross-parking permits per quarter at no extra cost. This allows you to park in an alternate designated area for job-related duties.
  • Short-Term & Daily Permits: Available for those who are employed below 43.75% time or don't need to park on campus every day.
Payment can often be handled through payroll deduction, which is super convenient.

Gameday & Special Events: The REAL Parking Challenge

This is where things get turned up to eleven. Parking for a big event, whether it's a football game at the Rose Bowl or a concert at Royce Hall, is a whole different ballgame.

On-Campus Events (Pauley Pavilion, Royce Hall, etc.)

For major events held on campus, UCLA designates specific parking structures for attendees. You can’t just park anywhere. For instance, events at Royce Hall typically use Structures 2 & 5, while Pauley Pavilion events use Structures 4, 7, & 8.
The cost is usually a flat event rate, often around $14 or $17 per day. The STRONGLY recommended method is to pre-purchase your parking online through the Bruin ePermit portal's event section. This guarantees you a spot & saves you from waiting in line at a pay station. You can also use the pay stations or ParkMobile on-site, but pre-paying is the way to go.

UCLA Football at the Rose Bowl

First off, remember the game is in Pasadena, not on campus. This is key. Parking is managed by the Rose Bowl stadium itself.
  • On-Site Parking: Lots open six hours before kickoff. Parking is sold by the City of Pasadena on game day in lots like Lot H & the Brookside Golf Course. You can also often buy single-game parking passes in advance online. Season ticket holders & Wooden Athletic Fund donors get priority access to the best lots.
  • The Parsons Shuttle: This is a popular & clutch option. You park at the Parsons complex parking lot in Pasadena (100 W. Walnut Street) & take a free shuttle directly to the stadium. It runs continuously starting three hours before kickoff. It's cheaper than parking right at the stadium & saves you from the worst of the traffic.
  • Third-Party Apps: Services like SpotHero & ParkWhiz are also great for booking parking in lots & garages around the Rose Bowl area in advance. This can sometimes be a cheaper option, but be prepared for a bit of a walk.
The demand for parking during these big events is absolutely insane. Lots fill up, prices surge, & the stress can be overwhelming. This is where thinking outside the box really pays off. Which brings me to…

The Unofficial Guide: Street Parking & Off-Campus Solutions

Let's be honest, many people try to avoid the official lots & hunt for street parking in Westwood. The Daily Bruin even noted that some students resort to it when they're running late, despite the risks.
Here's the deal with street parking: it's a gamble. Most spots are metered with strict time limits. Go over by even a few minutes, & you’re looking at a hefty ticket. In some areas, parking is restricted to residents with permits. Illegally parking there is a quick way to get your car towed, which is a nightmare of an expense & hassle. Westwood is notoriously difficult for parking, & circling the block for 30 minutes looking for a spot is a common, frustrating experience.

A Smarter Alternative: Think Prked

When the official lots are full or too expensive, & street parking feels like playing Russian roulette with your wallet, you need a better plan C. This is where a service like Prked comes in.
Honestly, it's a pretty cool concept. Prked connects you with homeowners in the neighborhoods around UCLA who are renting out their unused driveways & garages. You can find a safe, guaranteed spot that's often way more affordable than the official lots, especially during peak times like gamedays. Instead of circling Westwood in a panic, you can book a private spot in advance & know exactly where you’re going. It takes all the stress & uncertainty out of the equation. It's a fantastic solution for commuters who couldn't get a campus permit or for anyone heading to a special event.
And it's not just for cars. If you're a student living in a cramped apartment or dorm, space is at a premium. If you need a place to store your bike, your furniture over the summer, or just stuff you don't have room for, Prked also works as a storage solution. You can find people renting out space in their garage, attic, or basement for a fraction of the cost of a traditional storage unit. It's a local, community-based way to solve the space crunch that's so common in a place like Westwood.

Don't Forget the Alternatives!

Driving isn't the only way to get to UCLA. The university heavily promotes sustainable transportation & offers some amazing programs to make it easier to leave your car at home.
  • Public Transit: UCLA heavily subsidizes transit passes. The Bruin U-Pass for undergrads & the Bruin Grad Pass offer fare-free rides on several transit agencies, including LA Metro & Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. For employees, the Commuter All-Access Pass is also deeply discounted.
  • BruinBus: This is UCLA’s FREE campus shuttle service. It runs on five different routes around campus & Westwood, & there are even shuttles that serve the off-campus university apartments. You can track the buses in real-time with an app.
  • Biking: UCLA is surprisingly bike-friendly, with over 3,500 bike racks & repair stands on campus. The Earn-A-Bike program is an incredible deal where eligible employees & grad students can trade in their parking permit for a free bike package worth hundreds of dollars!
  • Carpool & Vanpool: As mentioned, carpooling gets you a discounted permit. The UCLA Vanpool Program is another great option for those with longer commutes, serving nearly 80 communities across Southern California with subsidized rates.
So there you have it. The complete rundown of the UCLA parking universe. It can be a complicated system, but with a little planning & insider knowledge, it's totally manageable. Whether you score a permit, master the ParkMobile app, or find the perfect off-campus spot with Prked, you've got options.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think.
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