Park Use Permits and Applications
The City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department operates and maintains a diverse and valued park system that includes more than 40,000 acres of developed and undeveloped park land as well as joint use and open land.
Whether you are planning a picnic, birthday party, baby shower, wedding or other event, San Diego parks and facilities offer the perfect place.
you are interested in an event at our facilities, you may contact a staff member for assistance. Staff telephone numbers can be found in our Park Facilities Map.
All permits and facility rentals are subject to availability. Fees are required in most rentals and are determined by the current City of San Diego Fee Schedule.
Jump to:
- Events at Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, Presidio Park and Shoreline Parks
- Events at Community, Neighborhood, Mini-parks and Lake Grounds
- Mission Bay Mooring and Beach Bar Permits
- Other Permits for Balboa Park
- Park Capacity Master List per
Municipal Code Chapter 6, Article 3
Group Events
Events at Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, Presidio Park and Shoreline Parks
If you are interested in having a wedding, large picnic or special event in Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, Presidio Park, or one of our Shoreline Parks, you will need to obtain a permit from the permit center, located in the Balboa Park Administration Building, 2125 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101.
The permit center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Recorded information is available at (619) 235-1169 or email My Park.
Applications are available below in PDF format which you can fill out in advance and bring with you to the permit center.
- Application and Permit for Park Use
- Reservation for Use of Park Space
- Modified Special Event Permit Application for Alcohol Consumption in Restricted Areas
- Wedding Park Use Permit application
- Fiesta Island Youth Camp application
Please view the General Park Use Permit Rules and Regulations.
Please note, we do not issue permits for Holiday Schedule . Additionally, we do not issue new Special Event Permits for Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, and Shoreline Beaches and Parks during the moratorium period of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Weddings
We are happy to announce we are issuing permits for wedding sites a year in advance for designated wedding ceremony sites in Balboa Park and the Shoreline Parks and Beaches.
The opening day for permits will be the first working Monday of each month with all dates available for that month.
We hope that by taking this step, it will allow all participants to fully enjoy the happiest time of their lives. Please call the Permit Center at (619) 235-1169 for more information.
Park Use Availability
We now offer enhanced information about our permit sites which can be found via our City Map or by a listing of Best Sites for weddings, picnics, indoor events or classrooms.
Events at Community, Neighborhood, Mini-parks and Lake Grounds
The City of San Diego offers more than 300 community and neighborhood parks for your enjoyment. If you would like to hold an event at one of these locations, please visit our community parks permit page for more information.
Mission Bay Mooring and Beach Bar Permits
The Park & Recreation Department's Developed Regional Parks Division issues permits for two types of long term boat storage on Mission Bay - moorings and beach bars.
Permits are issued for a period of one calendar year beginning March 1.
- Mooring Permits
Owners of boats up to 25 feet in length may apply for permits to use mooring locations in three areas of Mission Bay - San Juan Cove, Santa Barbara Cove and Mariners Basin. The permit to use an in-water mooring space is non-transferrable. The physical buoy and tackle are the property of the permit holder. Mooring Permit Application and Information (PDF) - Long-Term Beach Bar Permits
The Park and Recreation Department's Developed Regional Parks Division maintains small beach areas where boats may be left overnight in several areas west of Ingraham Street. Some beach bars are limited to vessels 14 feet or fewer in length and eight feet wide. On others, maximum vessel length is 17 feet. Beach Bar Permit (14 feet or fewer) application and information (PDF) Beach Bar Permit (17 feet or fewer) application and information (PDF)
For further information contact:
City of San Diego
Park & Recreation Department
Developed Regional Parks Division
2125 Park Blvd.
San Diego CA 92101
(619) 235-1169
Other Permits for Balboa Park
Jump to:
- Balboa Park Activity Center Gymnasium: Permit Applications, (619) 235-5997
- Morley Field & Recreation Center: Picnic, Park or Athletic Field Permit Applications, (619) 525-8262
- Municipal Gymnasium: Permit Applications, (619) 525-8262
Information on how to obtain a permit and the rules/regulations are available in the Balboa Park Entertainer Program Brochure (PDF) .
Balboa Park Pedicab permits are issued by lottery on the first Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. Late arrivals will not be issued a permit.
- Lottery Location
Balboa Park Administration Building, 2125 Park Blvd. (Park Boulevard at Inspiration Point Way). - Permit Fee
Permits cost $45 per month (transaction fee included) and are valid within Balboa Park only. Only cash or money order are accepted as payment.
Balboa Park Pedicab Permits are non-transferable. - What to Bring
In order to successfully obtain a permit you must have the following items with you at the time of the lottery:- City of San Diego Pedicab Operator's Permit and a City of San Diego Pedicab decal on the Pedicab.
- Valid photo identification (i.e. State Driver's License or passport)
- The Pedicab must be available for a visual inspection. Bring it with you to the lottery.
For more information, contact the Park Ranger office at (619) 235-1122.
For general Park & Recreation Department information, see the Frequently Asked Questions, call (619) 525-8213 or use the My Park web comment form.