Morro Bay Parking Lot Enforces Paid Parking

Starting on March 1, 2026, the town of Morro Bay is enforcing paid parking on the public boat launch parking lot on the Embarcadero. The cost to park is $5 with a $0.35 additional charge after 24 hours of use. Those who do not pay the ticket could be punished with a $60 ticket. The cost for the trailer spots is $12 per day. The trailer spots increase in price after a certain amount of time is used; for example, after 48 hours, the cost is $24, and after 72 hours, the cost is $36. This program was set in place to manage the use of the parking lot and to generate revenue. The parking lot at Tidelands Park is remaining free, which gives an alternative option to those who do not want to pay to park.

People come to use the water, the park, to fish, or even to just look at the view. The new paid parking has had locals searching for a new spot to spend their time. This parking lot is a place that a lot of locals go to escape from tourists and have a more private and secluded spot. Lots of locals who use the parking lot are upset with this decision. Ed Clarich, who comes from Templeton to use the parking lot often, told KSBY, “I don’t know that I’ll plan on paying them. For me to drive down here, then pay for parking this far down from tourists and everything, it’s just us locals down here.”

Isiac Hernandez, a local who uses the parking lot frequently, said that, “The parking lot is public property and having to pay to park there takes that away.” Hernandez also said, “I don’t really know where else to go; it’s a chill spot, and there aren’t many other places that aren’t full of people here.” Larry Gorman is also a local who used to live in a boat in the harbor. He told KSBY the paid parking has made him park somewhere else to avoid the fee. “It’s good that the city gets the revenue, but my concern would be that it’s a place where I see a lot of people coming that are from the community, and I’m a little concerned that it drives those people away,” said Gorman.

There are a few different ways to pay the ticket to park.. One option is to pay with a credit card at the kiosk at the on-site machine. Another option is to pay on the mobile app, which is called the Park Smarter App. You can also text to pay by texting “PAY” to the number 7747 with the zone number “MORRO.” For people who frequently use the boat launch and the parking lot, there are annual passes that you can purchase at the Harbor Department office. The annual cost for a single parking spot is $83, and for a trailer spot it costs $200.

Sources: KSBY, morrobayca.gov