Parks & Recreation Park Permitting
The Port of San Diego manages 23 public parks around San Diego Bay. Our parks have a variety of amenities, from playgrounds, walking and bike paths, open grass, and gorgeous views! Permits help ensure your event has the space and support it needs to run smoothly, and makes sure parks stay clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.
Click here to find your Port park!
Ready to apply for a permit?
General Park information
- All Port of San Diego parks are open to the public from 6 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
- Visit the specific park page for location, parking and amenity details.
- Dogs on leash are welcome - see Park Rules FAQ for details.
- Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all Port parks, facilities, piers, and beaches.
- The Port of San Diego issues permits for 14 of our 23 parks. See park permit information below for details.
Park Permits
Port of San Diego parks require a permit for certain activities such as organized events, consuming alcohol, flying a drone or filming, and for gatherings of 25 people or more. Whatever you're planning, we're here to help ensure your event has the space and support it needs to run smoothly.
Not sure where to start, have questions, or need help with your application? Contact Parks & Recreation at parkpermits@portofsandiego.org.
Hosting an event on Port of San Diego property without a permit is a misdemeanor, subject to a citation from the Port of San Diego Harbor Police and or expulsion from the property.
Park Permit Information
Do I need a permit for my gathering or event?
A permit is required if your private gathering or paid commercial event meets ANY of the following:
- Attendance will be more than 25 people.
- Alcohol consumption by one or more person(s).
- You’ll have a jump-house or other inflatable.
- You intend to hire a company to provide services such as catering, games, musical entertainment, or other services.
Depending on activities or event size, other permits may be required.
Not sure where to start, have questions, or need help with your application?
Contact Parks & Recreation at parkpermits@portofsandiego.org
Ready to apply for a permit?
What are the permit types?
The following are the types of permits issued by the Port of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department. Each permit type has its own requirements and applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Parks & Recreation staff in advance as several types of events are considered complex, multi-jurisdictional permits.
Contact: parkpermits@portofsandiego.org
- Small (Under 100 people)
- Large (Over 100 people)
- Moving
- Parking only
- Temporary commercial activity
- Filming/Photo – includes drones
- Fireworks
How do I obtain a Port of San Diego park permit?
The Port of San Diego uses an automated system to manage the permitting of events in our parks, open spaces and event facilities.
Requests must be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to your event via our online Service Portal.
Have the following information ready:
- First/last name
- Phone
- Organization Name
- Organization Type
- Onsite Contact (if different from applicant)
- First and second choice park
- Event date, beginning and end time.
- Expected attendance
-
Click the ‘Login’ button to create a new account. This registered account will be used for your current request and any future reservations
How much does a permit cost, when do I pay?
Processing Fee
Each permit application is subject to a non-refundable $35 processing fee and may be paid via credit card through the Port’s online Service Portal; if the processing fee is not received within 72 hours of application submission, your requested date will be released from the calendar. The $35 processing fee will only be refunded if the reservation is cancelled by the Port.
The processing fee is considered separate from the permit fee.
Permit Fees
Permit fees vary and are calculated based on evaluation of scope and scale of the activity and venue.
When do I pay for my permit?
• Processing fee – Due within 72 hours of submitting a request
• All Permit Fees – Due 30 days in advance of event date
• Security deposit – Due 60 days in advance of event date
How do I know my application has been submitted? What's the status?
An email will be sent to your registered email address containing your confirmation number.
How do I check the status of my application?
- Log in to your Service Portal account
- Click My Request, select your permit event number to view the status of your application
General Permit Questions
What is a considered a private event?
- An event of 100 or less in attendance that does not utilize hired services such as catering, equipment rental and setup, face painting or attractions. A event may have a jump house and still qualify as a small, private event.
- Common examples of small, private events include birthday celebrations, showers, family picnics and wedding ceremonies.
If you plan on having a jump house at your event, a Certificate of Insurance is required.
If you have an event of any size and intend to hire a company to provide services such as catering, games, musical entertainment or other services, permitting is required.
Does the Port of San Diego issue permits for all 23 of its parks?
The Port of San Diego issues permits for 14 of the 23 parks. The remaining parks either are not available for event use or are permitted by other entities.
Will the Port of San Diego issue me a permit to hold an event on a holiday or to a specific area of the park??
Will the Port of San Diego issue me a permit to hold an event on a holiday?
No, permits are not issued on Port-observed holidays or holiday weekends. As a service to our community, we keep all public parks open to the public to enjoy on holidays and holiday weekends.
Does my Port of San Diego park permit entitle me to a specific area within the park?
No, a permit grants permission for an activity to be held in a Port park; however, a permit does not guarantee a specific footprint within any park. Park areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event. The permit holder may designate event boundaries if a representative is present at the site. Boundaries may not block walkways, driveways, or parking areas, and the size of the reserved boundaries must be in accordance with the permitted group size. Playgrounds within Port parks may not be included in the event boundaries.
For Port facility permits, the permit will define the specific areas approved for use.
Is a security deposit required to hold an event in a Port of San Diego park? Do I need insurance?
Is a security deposit required to hold an event in a Port of San Diego park?
Depending on the scope of the activity, a security deposit may be required. All or any portion of the security deposit shall be available unconditionally to the Port of San Diego for the purpose of cleaning, restoring, or repairing damages to the property after the permitted event.
Do I need insurance to hold an event in a Port of San Diego park?
No, you are not required to have insurance to hold an event in a Port of San Diego park.
A certificate of insurance (COI) is required of all businesses that provide services onsite for your event.
Applicant must provide a COI with coverage naming the “San Diego Unified Port District” as an additional insured and listing the District in the certificate holder box.
Park Rules and Restrictions
Is smoking allowed on Port of San Diego property?
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all Port parks, facilities, piers, and beaches. No person shall dispose of any cigarette, cigar, or tobacco in any place where smoking is prohibited. Additionally, the Port abides by the City of San Diego Ordinance (San Diego Municipal Code Section 42.1303 and 43.1002), which forbids the sale and consumption of cannabis products in public parks and facilities.
Are there any restrictions on dogs in Port of San Diego parks?
Dogs must be leashed at all times in all Port of San Diego parks.
Dogs are not allowed on Port of San Diego beaches.
While visiting our Port of San Diego parks, please always pick up after your dog.
At Tidelands Park in Coronado, dogs are not allowed on the grass areas.
The Port of San Diego allows dogs in its parks pursuant to SDCC 62.669 and SDCC 62.670.
Is skateboarding or roller skating allowed in Port of San Diego parks?
No, skating and skateboarding are prohibited in Port of San Diego parks, including park walkways. The City of Coronado has a skate park adjacent to Coronado Tidelands Park that is open daily. For information on the skate park in Coronado, please visit the City of Coronado.
Is fishing allowed in Port of San Diego parks?
Yes, fishing is allowed at all Port of San Diego park fishing piers; a fishing license is not required.
Port of San Diego parks with fishing piers are Bayside Park in Chula Vista, Portwood Pier Plaza in Imperial Beach, Pepper Park in National City, and Shelter Island Central and Embarcadero Marina Park South in San Diego. The pier at Cesar Chavez park is for viewing only, no fishing allowed.
Can I stake my tent in a Port of San Diego park?
No, staking of any kind is prohibited at Port of San Diego parks. Only weighted tents are allowed.
General Park Questions
Which Port of San Diego parks have playground equipment?
The following Port of San Diego parks have playground equipment:
- Bayside Park at the Chula Vista Bayfront
- Marina View Park at the Chula Vista Bayfront
- Pepper Park in National City
- Cesar Chavez Park in San Diego
- Shelter Island Park South in San Diego
- Spanish Landing Park West in San Diego
- Sweetwater Park at the Chula Vista Bayfront
Are there bike paths in the Port of San Diego's parks?
Bike paths are a part of most Port of San Diego parks. A number of these bike paths are along and adjacent to the Bayshore Bikeway that consists of 24 miles of bike paths and on-street sections surrounding San Diego Bay. For information visit Bayshore Bikeway
Do any Port of San Diego parks have fire rings?
Shelter Island Park Central in San Diego has 6 fire rings along the beach area of the park, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Portable fire rings can be approved if requested through the Service Portal.
Do Port of San Diego parks have beaches for swimming?
There are beaches on San Diego Bay in Port of San Diego jurisdiction at Chula Vista Bayside Park, Coronado Tidelands Park, Coronado Landing Park, and Shelter Island Central and Spanish Landing West in San Diego. Swimming is allowed at these beaches; however, there are no lifeguards on duty and anyone swimming does so at their own risk.