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, though the City is planning to launch paid parking in early 2025. 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 is planning to launch paid parking in early 2025.

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 currently free, though the City is planning to launch paid parking in early 2025. 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 is now planning to launch paid parking (concurrent with enhanced security) in early 2025. 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 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 (no more often than quarterly) and with at least two weeks advance notice, the rate will rise by $1/day if the lot gets overfull, and reduce again by $1/day if the lot is too empty. Revenues will help pay for parking lot security and maintenance, among other parking program needs. 

Read the Draft Ferry Terminal Parking Pricing Strategy (October 2024)

Review the presentation slides (October 2024)

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Actions
  • 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