Parking Tips

Make your commute to campus easier with these helpful travel 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 a free resource to all students and staff 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. 9, 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 15 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 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

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 number of floors of switchbacks and instead arrive right at the upper floors of the structure where empty parking spaces await you.

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

Parking Tip 10

Short-Term parking spaces (green curbs) are designed for 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 pass by. There is also a no-fee, 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.