Parking Tips
Here are a series of parking tips that may help you better navigate your commutes to and from CSULB.
Parking Tip 1
Before buying that permit, be sure to consider all your transportation options.
Alternative transportation options exist and might be faster and easier than you think! There are many free or highly discounted ways of getting to campus other than driving a vehicle.
Parking Tip 2
If you must park on campus, please note that some form of paid parking will be required. Semester & monthly permits are available via the Parking Portal. Daily & Short-Term (30/60/90 min) parking is available using the ParkMobile App or a nearby parking pay station.
Parking Tip 3
Fix that plate number! Our campus uses a sustainable paperless system called License Plate Recognition (LPR) to verify your permit. Avoid citations by verifying your license plate number is listed correctly on your account at the Parking Portal.
Parking Tip 4
There is a premium overflow permit available!
A new Overflow Lot location and permit option will be made available near upper campus in the Foundation Building (FND) parking lot for spring semester 2025. Park closer to campus for the first 8 weeks of the spring semester (Mon-Thurs, 7:30am-5pm ONLY). After 3/13, these permits will turn into regular spring semester permits (expiring on 6/8/2025) with all the related on-campus parking privileges.
Parking Tip 5
Park closer in the evenings and on weekends! All Employee (E) Lots are open to Student Permits after 5:30 pm (Mon-Fri) and all day on weekends. NOTE: Please be sure the space is not otherwise restricted w/ posted signage (ADA, State Vehicle, etc.).
Parking Tip 6
Campus shuttles are free, and they run 5 days/week! Just show your CSULB ID card to board.
Bonus: Download the free PassioGO App for real-time GPS locations of all the shuttles on their routes, how full each shuttle is, and even your nearest shuttle stops.
Parking Tip 7
Arrive a little early! During the first 4 weeks of the semester, campus roadways and parking lots are busier than normal as students purchase books, add/drop classes, pay fees, etc.
Please allow extra time to get on campus, park, and walk to your classes during these first 4 weeks.
Parking Tip 8
Think Upper and Outer! The closest parking spaces on CSULB campus will naturally fill up first, but the upper floors of all 3 parking structures and the outer lots (like G7, G8, G9, G11, G12) often go overlooked and remain empty.
Don't bother circling a lot that is already full when open spaces exist just 1 or 2 lots over. You can immediately park and arrive at your campus destination on time and ready for class.
Parking Tip 9
Speaking of upper and outer, why not try this secret ramp hack? When parking in Pyramid Parking Structure, stay to the right when driving on Merriam Way. You will conveniently skip over a bunch of floors of switchbacks and go straight to Level 3 & 4 where there are a ton of open parking spaces.
Save time and reduce stress with...The Ramp!
Parking Tip 10
Short-Term parking spaces (green curbs) are designed for turnover in order to accommodate individuals making short trips to campus.
Because of this, these spaces are only for those who purchase the 30-, 60-, or 90-min permits via the ParkMobile app or from a parking pay station. Student & Employee permits are not allowed in Short-Term spaces.
Short-term parking spaces can be found in Lot E1, E5, G1, G4, S1, along State University Drive and inside the South Turnaround.
Avoid unnecessary citations by only parking in these spaces if you have purchased one of the short-term permit types above.
Parking Tip 11
Use the new Drop-Off/Pick-Up Zones!
These are safer & easier areas for drop-off/pick-up, placed away from busy campus roadways where buses, shuttles, and state vehicles pass by. There is also a no-permit, 15-min cell phone waiting area provided on upper campus for additional convenience.
Parking Tip 12
Follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok where we post parking lot closures, construction updates, & new program announcements.
