Parking Tips

Make your commute to/from campus easier with these helpful tips.

Parking Tip 1

Before buying that permit, be sure to consider all your transportation options.

Alternative transportation to driving and parking are often much less expensive and easier than you think! There are many free or highly discounted programs available to students and staff to get to/from CSULB without the use of a vehicle.

The new BeachGO mobile app can display the nearest transit, carpool, biking options and more based on your starting location. This app is free to all CSULB students, staff/faculty, and available for both iOS and Android devices.

Parking Tip 2

If you must park on campus, 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 by using the parking pay station located in each lot and the first floor of every parking structure. 

Parking Tip 3

Fix that plate number! Our campus uses a completely paperless permitting system called License Plate Recognition (LPR). Stickers, paper permits on the windshield, or plastic hangtags on your rearview mirror are not required. Your license plate functions as your parking permit. Avoid citations by verifying your license plate number is correctly listed on your account in the Parking Portal.

Parking Tip 4

An Off-campus Overflow parking lot will be available for the first 8 weeks of the fall semester with a discounted permit associated to it.

The discounted, off-campus overflow lot will again be available for fall semester 2025. Park off-campus for the first 8 weeks of the semester (Mon-Thurs), and then later the permit will convert into a regular fall semester permit (expiring on Jan. 18, 2026) with all the on-campus parking privileges of a student semester permit. Bonus: Free shuttle service to campus 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Departs every 20 min). 

*Please read all Overflow Permit terms & conditions prior to purchasing this permit.

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 (Sat-Sun). NOTE: Please be sure the space is not otherwise restricted w/ posted signage such as ADA, State Vehicle, Low Emission Vehicle Only, etc.

Parking Tip 6 

Campus shuttles are free and run 5 days a 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 early and give yourself plenty of time before your class begins! 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, find parking, and walk to your classes during these 4 weeks.

Parking Tip 8

Upper and Outer! The closest parking spaces on CSULB campus 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 one or two lots away. You can immediately park and get to your campus destination on time and ready for class.

Parking Tip 9

Speaking of upper and outer, why not try this secret hack? The ramp! When parking in the Pyramid Parking Structure, stay over to the right when driving north on Merriam Way. The right lane will merge you onto this cool ramp that will conveniently skip over a number of floors and switchbacks and instead place you right on the upper floors of the structure where empty parking spaces are always available.

Save time and reduce stress with...The Ramp!

Parking Tip 10

Short-Term parking spaces (green curbs) are designed for constant turnover 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 

We have dedicated 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 are constantly passing by. There is also a no-fee, 15-min cell phone waiting area provided on upper campus for additional convenience.

Parking Tip 12

Get with the tech! Follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok where we post parking lot closures, construction updates, & new program announcements. Download the free BeachGO app to find carpool partners, bus routes, bike routes, walking routes and log your trips to to campus to earn discounts and rewards for local businesses and on-campus purchases. You can also check out the free PassioGO app to find and track our campus shuttles in real time.