October 2025 update: Paid parking will launch at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal on October 21. Read the press release
Alameda is served by three SF Bay Ferry terminals, offering picturesque travel to San Francisco and Oakland, as well as one Park & Ride lot serving multiple AC Transit bus lines.
Direct weekday commute service between Alameda and downtown San Francisco (see the schedule). Find bicycle route information on the Get Around Alameda page.
Auto parking: The lot has 400 spaces, including 10 with EV charging. Ferry riders may not park in spaces marked “shoreline access.” Park only in designated parking spaces.
Paid parking + increased on-site security is planned for Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal in winter 2025. Paid parking will be Tu/We/Th only to open up spaces on on these busy days and to offset security costs. The rate will be $3/day, with options to pay via app, text, or pay station. More communications closer to launch! Stay up to date by subscribing to the parking mailing list.
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
The Main Street Ferry Terminal serves the Oakland & Alameda route with service to Oakland’s Jack London Square and San Francisco. Find bus and 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 free and paid parking is not planned for this ferry terminal.
Restrooms: Restrooms are available at the terminal (with limited hours) and on ferries.
Location: 2990 Main Street, Alameda
October 2025 update: Paid parking will launch at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal on October 21, with payment required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only to open up spaces on these busy days and offset security guard costs. The rate is $3/day with options to pay by text, mobile application, and pay station. Read the press release
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. AC Transit bus line 31 serves Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal and is free with a Clipper transfer to the ferry!
Auto parking: The ferry terminal parking lot holds 250 cars and two motorcycles. 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.
A new security guard started in May 2025 at Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal, with the costs offset by paid parking starting October 21, 2025. Paid parking is Tu/We/Th only to open up spaces on on these busy days. The rate is $3/day, with options to pay via app, text, or pay station.
Restrooms: Restrooms are available at the terminal (with limited hours) and on ferries.
Location: 215 Adelphian Way, Alameda
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
October 2025 update: Paid parking will launch at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal on October 21, with payment required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to open up spaces on these busy days and offset security guard costs. The rate is $3/day with options to pay by text, mobile application, and pay station. Paid parking + increased on-site security is planned for Seaplane Lagoon in winter 2025. Stay up to date by subscribing to the parking mailing list.
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 is now moving forward with at Harbor Bay and Seaplane Lagoon ferry terminals. Ferry riders will be able to use mobile payment to pay after boarding the ferry, or use pay stations in the lot.
The City's Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy starts with a $3/day rate at the Seaplane Lagoon and Harbor Bay Ferry Terminals. Then, at limited intervals (no more often than quarterly) and with at least two weeks advance notice, the rate may rise by $1/day if the lot is consistently overfull, and reduce again by $1/day if the lot is consistently too empty. Revenues will help pay for increased security.
Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy (October 2024)
Presentation slides (October 2024)
Stay in the know! Join the parking mailing list
Actions
- October 2025: Paid parking launched at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal. Press release.
- May 2025: A new security guard began work at the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal. Press release.
- October 2024: The City Council approved a contract to purchase pay stations and launch mobile payment, and received an update on the Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy. Staff report.
- December 2022: The Transportation Commission unanimously endorsed the draft Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy with a few requested changes that were made in the final version. Staff report.
Plans Calling for Paid Parking at Ferry Terminals