Ferry Terminal & Transit Parking

Overview

Alameda is served by three ferry terminals, offering picturesque travel to San Francisco and Oakland, as well as one Park & Ride lot serving multiple AC Transit bus lines.

Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal

Alameda’s newest ferry terminal offers direct weekday commute service between Alameda and downtown San Francisco (see the schedule). Find bus and bicycle route information on the Get Around Alameda page.

Auto parking: The lot has 400 spaces, including 10 with EV charging. Parking is currently free, but paid parking is coming in the future. Ferry riders may not park in spaces marked “shoreline access.” Park only in designated parking spaces.

EV charging: Ten spaces offer Level II EV charging.

Restrooms: There are no public restrooms available at the ferry terminal, but the waterfront park has public restrooms less than 800 feet north via the pedestrian path. The ferries also have restrooms.

Location: 1701 Ferry Point Road, Alameda

 Nighttime view of the ferry terminal

Main Street Ferry Terminal

The Main Street Ferry Terminal serves the Oakland & Alameda route with service to Oakland’s Jack London Square and San Francisco. Find bicycle route information on the Get Around Alameda page.

Auto parking: Parking for 324 cars is available in the ferry terminal parking lot at 2990 Main Street. Parking is currently free, though the City has committed to paid parking at all ferry terminals in the future. There is no overnight parking.

Restrooms: Restrooms are available at the terminal (with limited hours) and on ferries.

Location: 2990 Main Street, Alameda

Photo of people standing in line at the Main St Ferry Terminal  

Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal

The Harbor Bay Ferry Route offers direct weekday commute service to San Francisco (see the schedule). Find bus and bicycle information on the Get Around Alameda page.

Auto parking: The ferry terminal parking lot holds 250 cars. Parking is free, but paid parking is coming in the future. There is no overnight parking. Nearby neighborhood streets are part of a preferential parking permit zone, with time limits for those without permits. Look for signs with posted time limits.

Restrooms: Restrooms are available at the terminal (with limited hours) and on ferries.

Location: 215 Adelphian Way, Alameda

Photo of the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal

Island Drive Park & Ride Lot

The Island Drive Park & Ride lot on Bay Farm is served by multiple AC Transit bus lines, including service to Oakland, San Francisco, BART, ferry, and Alameda middle and high schools.

Location: Island Drive between Doolittle Dr and Robert Davey Jr Dr

Google map screen shot showing lot location

Ferry Terminal Paid Parking Program

For years, Alameda policy has called for paid parking at ferry terminals to ensure open parking spaces for people taking later ferries, and to encourage people to bike, walk, or ride the bus to the ferry. The City put this project on pause during the pandemic, but ferry ridership is increasing and parking lots are getting fuller.

The City's proposed Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy starts with a $3/day rate at the Seaplane Lagoon and Harbor Bay Ferry Terminals. Then, at limited intervals (on a quarterly basis at most), the rate would rise by $1/day if the lot gets overfull, and reduce again if the lot is too empty. Revenues will help pay for parking lot maintenance and management, among other parking program needs. Ferry riders will be able to use mobile payment to pay after boarding the ferry, or use pay stations in the lot. The City also plans to implement a needs-based low-income parking pass program if feasible.

Read the Draft Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy (December 2022)

Review the presentation slides (December 2022)

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Actions
  • December 2022: At their December 7 meeting, the Transportation Commission unanimously endorsed the draft Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy with a few requested changes, most of which are already reflected December 2022 document & presentation slides linked above.
Plans Calling for Paid Parking at Ferry Terminals