Do you drive to Parnassus Heights? Looking for an alternative to parking in busy garages on campus?
Sign up for the Park and Ride at Japan Center Garage!
The Details
Location: Japan Center Garage at 1610 Geary Blvd, in the heart of Japantown
Hours: Monday-Friday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (weekends/holidays excluded)
Cost: $99/month
Cherry Shuttle Service:
- Direct shuttle to/from Parnassus Heights
- 15-minute shuttle ride
- Shuttle pickup at 1630 Geary St, at the Muni stop at the northeast corner of Geary & Webster
Shuttle vehicles are operated by Bauer's; they are black and have a sign that says "Cherry" on the front
Use live shuttle tracking in the UCSF Mobile App to see live departure estimates for the Cherry shuttle. Download the app here, click on “GO”, select the “Live Shuttle” option, go to the “Running” tab, and tap on “Cherry” to see where the shuttles are any time of the day.
The vehicle will look like this:
View the Cherry Shuttle schedule
Enroll in the Park and Ride here! Please read the FAQs below before signing up.
This program was created to alleviate parking congestion at Parnassus Heights and is only available to UCSF employees based at Parnassus Heights at this time.
FAQs
How long does it take after signing up to get access to the lot?
If you are eligible for the program, your access will usually be processed within 2-3 business days. When there is high demand for the program, requests can take up to 5 business days to process. Please note that you must sign up by 12pm on the second Friday of the month to access parking for that month. Signups after that time will be given access to the garage starting on the 1st of the following month.
How do I pay for parking?
Please sign up using the form above. The form contains more information about making your payment in Touchnet. If you are a returning parker, you can pay for your next month of parking by visiting Touchnet here.
What if I need to park overnight, on weekends, or on holidays?
The Japan Center Garage Park and Ride permit enables you to park on weekends and holidays in the ACC garage at Parnassus. If you need overnight parking at Parnassus, you will need to purchase the N or L permit listed on the UCSF employee parking page.
Can I use pre-tax commuter benefits?
Yes. You can read more about pre-tax benefits here.
How do I access the lot?
Once your application has been approved, you will receive a link to a QR access code from the Garage operator. You will need to download the pass and load it to your Apple or Google Wallet. When entering the Garage, wait until the gate is in the down position, and then place the active QR code face up below the reader. DO NOT PULL A TICKET. If you pull a ticket, you will not be able to use the QR code to exit.
Below is a photo of the machine you will use to scan the QR code on your mobile device. Hold the phone under the white box where the hand is placed in the photo.
What if I need to cancel my parking? Can I skip a month of parking if I do not need it and then rejoin?
You will need to submit your cancellation by the 12th of the prior month to ensure the cancellation is processed in time. To submit a cancellation, please complete this form. You can reactivate your parking by filling out the signup form again after the 9th of the month prior to when you want to return. A reactivation fee may be applied.
Where in the garage can I park?
UCSF parkers can use either floor of the garage but must avoid parking in a Reserved space.
Are there elevators in the garage?
Elevators are open during Japan Center Mall hours, approximately 9:00am – 11:00pm. The stairs are always open.
Can I access multiple entrances?
Yes, the Japan Center Garage has two (2) entrances / exits; one on Geary Street; one on Post. You may use either entrance. The car that enters the garage must be the same car that leaves the garage.
Are ADA spaces available?
Yes, there are ADA spaces on both levels of the Garage.
Is the garage ever closed?
The garage is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Is there anything else I need to know?
You must remove any plastic license plate covers from your vehicle. Do not leave valuables, bags, luggage, etc. in plain view in your vehicle, even if you have tinted windows.
Who can I contact if I have any issues?
If you need assistance, the garage office (located to the right of the Geary entrance) is staffed from 7:00am – 9:00pm. You may need to lightly knock on the door. You can also reach the parking command center 24/7 at 415-956-8003.
What happens if I need to get my car after hours?
If you need access to the Garage after-hours, you will need to press the intercom button on the side pedestrian entrance to talk to the command center and gain entry. You will need to pay the hourly posted rate for any time you park after 10:00pm. You can see the rates for the garage here.
Looking to explore alternatives to driving? Meet with the Commute Concierge team to guide you through your options.
Questions? Please email park.ride@ucsf.edu.
