Santa Barbara is considering converting part of a waterfront parking lot into an overnight RV parking area as it looks for new revenue sources.
Under the proposal, 127 existing spaces at 236 E. Cabrillo Blvd., next to Chase Palm Park, would be reconfigured to create 16 to 26 overnight RV stalls. The spaces would offer no hookups or amenities.
The Santa Barbara Harbor Commission voted 6–1 last week to support the idea, though some commissioners raised concerns about future coastal erosion, the loss of parking, and whether the project would generate meaningful revenue.
City officials say the change could help boost funds for the Waterfront Department and reduce the need for city loans. The lot currently generates about $696,000 annually, with roughly half coming from the section proposed for conversion.
The plan is part of a broader push to increase revenue, which has already included higher cannabis taxes and a potential property transfer tax under consideration.
Before moving forward, the project would require zoning changes, City Council approval, and a coastal development permit from the California Coastal Commission.
If approved, it raises a broader question: Could more cities begin looking at underused parking areas as potential overnight RV spaces to generate revenue?
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RVT1255b
I like the idea but it would depend on the cost and if they want us out early. I am not a morning person.
That money-grabbing scheme has already been implemented by the State near Malibu.
They converted a State rest area to RV parking, charging ridiculous high-pricing ($45 I believe) for a crowded parking lot with no services.
Just another reason to avoid California.
Michigan, are you taking notes?
It’s all about the Benjamin’s. So the taxpaying citizens loose beach parking areas to hopefully get a few paying RVers to stop by. No facilities, just asphalt.
Briliant plan.
If the parking is indeed underutilized, reconfiguring it to increase usage isn’t a bad idea. Rates for RV Parks in Santa Barbara aren’t cheap and there’s few options for quick overnighters. That said though, if they don’t enforce a three day limit, I fear it will become a beachfront RV encampment due to the price of housing there.
I read this story the other day and the cost would be over $100 per night. Rip off for a parking spot with zero hookups.
Went to college in SB. Lovely place. But I’m not interested in paying $100 for a dry-camp spot. I’ll head out to the mountains.
Not a bright idea, generators running all night, people, dumping tanks, damage to lots not ready for the weight
I live in the area and this is $100.00 per night to park your rig in a parking lot with no hookups. It isn’t a campground. It’s a busy, noisy parking lot in the heart of tourist ground zero in SB off of Cabrillo Blvd.
SB is a notoriously crowded, greedy city and they are broke. They’re looking to make up their budget shortfall any way they can. Increasing numbers of working residents and fixed income retirees are being gentrified out onto the streets…and then are blamed for the city’s problems. SB has been horribly mismanaged for over 40 years and this is just the latest scam.
The local hotel/motel owner’s organization is never going to allow people to visit and not pay hundreds of dollars per night (plus parking fees) to stay in a tiny room in town. They’re already trying to paint this as a perk for homeless vehicle residents to further inflame the citizens against the homeless. It’s ugly stuff.
Thank you for the news, RV Travel. If the conversion only entails restriping the relevant area, then conversion costs are low once approval from all the relevant bureauracies is received. However, the degree to which RVers will use the utility-less spaces may largely depend on how easily reached the lots is from likely travel routes AND how easily one may return to those travel routes. (We were at a bucolic county campground in Washington last summer to which we would never return because of the absence of a traffic light at a junction with high-speed cross traffic; way too dangerous.) Certainly, this would not preclude one-time/first-time users, but could substantially hinder repeat …
… users. Have a great day and safe travels!