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Parking Validation

San Jose offers several ways to park FREE in downtown lots.


Validation Information for Parking Customers

P V Logo

Validation Program
The Downtown San Jose Parking Validation program offers patrons up to two hours of free parking at designated lots and garages when visiting a participating retailer, restaurant, bar or nightclub. Look for the (PV) symbol on signs outside of participating garages when you visit Downtown San Jose. Also look for a (PV symbol) sign in the windows of retailers who offer parking validations. Almost all Downtown retail merchants and restaurants participate in the Parking Validation program, unless they have their own parking facilities. The (PV) symbol on the parking map indicates facilities that accept parking validations. View the listing of participating merchants.

Find lots and garages on the parking map that accept validations. The (PV) symbol indicates facilities on the parking map that accept parking validations.

Automated Cashier Validation program
The parking garage at Second and San Carlos streets uses an Automated Cashier Payment System. Upon entering the garage, take the parking ticket from the dispenser and keep it with you. Participating retailers offer a validation ticket to patrons. Upon returning to the garage when prompted to pay, take the validation ticket to the yellow payment cashier machine near each garage entrance, insert first the parking ticket, then the validation ticket. The payment machine gives back the tickets: use the original parking ticket to open the gate and exit the garage and discard the cancelled validation ticket.

Click here to locate the Second and San Carlos Street garage on the parking map.

Camera 12 Cinemas validations
Movie-goers can get Camera 12 Cinemas validations that are good for 3-1/2 hours of free parking at the Second and San Carlos Garage.  Several other garages and lots also accept movie validations.  For the best information, click each facility off the parking map.

This is the only business validation in effect after 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. If you enter the Second and San Carlos Garage after 10 p.m. for late-night movies, and then remain parked in the garage longer than 3-1/2 hours, you will be charged upon exiting.
Garages that offer cinema validations during the day and evening are:

  • Market & San Pedro Street Garage 
  • Third Street Garage  
  • Second & San Fernando Street Lot – Block 2 
  • Second & San Carlos Street Garage  
  • San Fernando & Third Street Lot - Block 3 
  • Fountain Alley   
  • Third and Santa Clara - The Globe
  • Fourth Street Garage  
  • Pavilion Garage 

Validation Information for Retail Businesses

Validation Information for Non-Retail Businesses