Quick Summary:
- Choose Pike or City Place garages for multi-day parking near the Catalina terminal.
- Check height limits first, many structures cap vehicles around 6 ft 8 in.
- Allow 10 to 20 minutes to walk, longer if using shuttles.
- Park smart: remove valuables, photograph bays, and note pay rules.
Taking the Catalina ferry from Long Beach is one of the easiest coastal escapes you can do with a Los Angeles car hire. The only tricky part is deciding where to leave the vehicle while you are out on the island, whether it is a day trip or an overnight. Downtown Long Beach has several parking structures within a manageable walk of the Catalina Express terminal area, plus a few higher-effort options if you prefer different pricing, more open-air parking, or easier clearance for taller vehicles.
This guide focuses on practical parking choices for Long Beach sailings, with the details that matter for hire cars: typical height limits, how secure each style of facility feels in real life, and how long it takes to get from your parked car to the ferry check-in. Timings are deliberately conservative, because missed sailings are expensive and stressful.
If your trip starts with picking up a car at the airport, these pages can help you compare pickup locations and providers before you drive south: Los Angeles LAX car rental, Avis at LAX, and car hire at Santa Ana SNA. For travellers who need extra space for luggage or a family group, it is also worth reviewing van rental at Santa Ana before committing, because vehicle height and length can affect which garages are usable.
Understand where you are heading: terminal area and walking reality
Long Beach Catalina sailings run from the Downtown Waterfront. In practice, you will be aiming for the terminal area close to Shoreline Drive and the promenade. This is a busy zone with hotels, the aquarium, restaurants and event foot traffic, so the last half-mile can be slower than the map suggests.
For most travellers, the best strategy is simple: park in a well-lit, staffed structure that allows overnight parking, then walk along the waterfront or streets with steady pedestrian traffic. Walking is usually faster and more predictable than waiting for a shuttle, unless you have limited mobility, heavy luggage, or a very early start when services are quieter.
Best long-stay choices near the Catalina Express terminal
These are the most straightforward options for a hire car because they are central, familiar to visitors, and designed for all-day use.
The Pike Parking Garage (Pike Outlets area)
If you want the classic balance of convenience and practicality, this is often the easiest place to leave a car for Catalina. It sits by the waterfront retail area and is one of the most common choices for ferry passengers.
Why it works: It is close enough to walk comfortably, the route is simple, and the garage is used heavily by visitors, which generally improves perceived safety. You will typically find clear signs, pay stations, and multiple exits to the promenade.
Height limits: Many downtown garages in Long Beach have clearance around 6 ft 8 in, sometimes a touch higher or lower depending on the entrance lane. If you have an SUV with a roof box, a van, or any added equipment, do not assume you will fit. If you are unsure, choose an open-air lot or a structure with clearly posted higher clearance.
Timing: From your car to ferry check-in, plan 12 to 20 minutes on foot, depending on where you park inside the structure and your walking pace. Add extra time if you need to queue at a pay station on return.
Security feel: Better than most isolated lots because of regular foot traffic. Still, treat it like a city centre structure and keep the cabin completely empty.
City Place garages and nearby downtown structures
City Place is slightly more inland, but it can be a smart choice when waterfront garages are busy or when you want a more direct drive in and out without as much promenade congestion.
Why it works: You are still within a manageable walk, and you may find easier entry during peak visitor periods. Some travellers prefer parking a little away from the densest tourist area, especially on event days.
Height limits: Similar story to The Pike, with many structures built for standard cars rather than tall vans. Always read the posted clearance before committing.
Timing: Plan 15 to 25 minutes walking to the terminal area, plus time at crossings. If your sailing is early, remember that some retail-linked garages can feel quiet at dawn, so choose well-lit routes.
Security feel: Generally fine, but pick a bay near an elevator lobby or stairwell that has good lighting and visible cameras.
Convention Centre and waterfront event parking areas
On quieter days, parking associated with the Convention Centre can be convenient. On event days, pricing and availability can change quickly, and the area can be heavily controlled for traffic.
Why it works: It is close and often designed for longer dwell times when conferences are on.
Potential downside: Event surcharges, altered access routes, and pockets of congestion. If you are travelling during a major convention or weekend festival, a slightly more distant garage can actually be calmer.
Timing: Often 10 to 18 minutes on foot, but allow more if crowds are moving in the same direction.
What if your hire car is tall, long, or loaded?
Height and clearance are the most common surprise when you are driving a car hire you did not choose specifically for downtown parking. If you have a large SUV, a people carrier, a van, or any roof-mounted gear, assume that many garages will be tight.
Practical approach: Before you enter, stop safely and read the clearance sign. If the posted height looks close, do not gamble. Scrapes on garage beams are a costly way to start a holiday, and hire car damage claims can be more painful than paying a bit more for a different lot.
Look for: Open-air lots, surface parking, or structures that explicitly advertise higher clearance at the entrance. If you are travelling with several suitcases, also remember that a taller vehicle can be harder to manoeuvre around tight turns and pillars.
Shuttles, walking routes, and timing that prevents missed sailings
Even when parking is close, you still need a reliable plan from your car to the ferry. In Long Beach, walking is often the simplest, but you should build in buffer time for three predictable slow points: garage elevators, street crossings, and the check-in queue.
Walking: For most central garages, plan a true door-to-door time of 15 to 25 minutes. That includes getting out of the structure, walking to the waterfront, and finding the correct check-in area rather than just reaching the water.
Shuttles: If a garage advertises shuttle service, treat it as a bonus rather than a guarantee. Service frequency can vary by day and time, and you can lose 10 minutes just waiting. Shuttles are most helpful if you have mobility constraints or very heavy luggage.
Early sailings: For the first departures, choose the simplest route with the fewest decisions. A garage with a direct pedestrian path is usually better than a cheaper lot that requires navigating quieter streets.
Payment, receipts, and what to note before you board
For a day trip, you can be fairly relaxed. For an overnight, you should treat the payment details like part of your travel documents.
Before leaving the car: Photograph the bay number or nearest pillar marker, and take one photo of your car in the space. It helps if you return after dark or to a different level than you remember.
Receipts and validation: Keep any ticket or app confirmation in a safe place. If the facility uses a pay-on-foot machine, pay before you return to the vehicle so you are not stuck at the exit gate with a line behind you.
Overnight rules: Not all garages that allow late-night parking are comfortable with multi-day stays. Look for signs about maximum dwell time, overnight access hours, and whether stairwells lock at certain times. If anything looks unclear, pick a more obviously visitor-oriented structure in the waterfront zone.
Security tips specific to car hire in downtown garages
Parking security in Long Beach is similar to any busy coastal city. Most visitors have no issues, but a hire car can be an easy target if it looks like luggage is inside.
Make the cabin boring: Leave nothing visible, not even a charging cable or sunglasses. If your boot cover is removable, use it. If your car is a hatchback with a visible cargo area, consider moving items to the hotel or a left-luggage option before parking for the ferry.
Locking and alarms: Confirm the car is locked and mirrors are folded if that is normal for the vehicle. Do not rely on a single beep, check the handle.
Choose your bay deliberately: Park near lighting, cameras, or an elevator lobby. Avoid secluded corners and levels that are nearly empty.
Do not leave documents: Your rental agreement, passport photocopies, or itinerary should not be left in the glovebox. If a break-in happens, document theft can create bigger problems than the missing items.
Driving in, dropping passengers, and handling luggage
A useful tactic is to do a quick drop-off near the terminal area before you park, particularly if you have children, older travellers, or multiple bags. One person can stay with the bags while the driver parks, then walk back. This reduces the stress of hauling luggage through a garage and across crossings.
Be mindful of kerb rules: Downtown waterfront areas can have active enforcement, especially in red zones and loading areas. Keep the stop brief, stay with the vehicle, and do not block buses or hotel driveways.
Day trip versus overnight: how your parking choice changes
Day trip: Convenience wins. Pick the closest garage with straightforward pedestrian access. You will return in daylight and are less likely to encounter locked access points or reduced staffing.
Overnight: Prioritise clarity and access. Choose a structure known for long-stay visitors, confirm that overnight parking is permitted, and make sure you understand how re-entry works if you return late. Allow extra time on the return day, because you may need to pay at a machine or deal with a ticket issue when you are tired.
When it makes sense to start from LAX versus SNA
For Los Angeles travellers, LAX is the common pickup for car hire, but Santa Ana can be a calmer starting point if you are already staying in Orange County or flying into SNA. Whichever you choose, build in realistic drive time to Long Beach, plus a buffer for traffic around the 405 and downtown.
Helpful references while planning pickup locations and vehicle type include California car hire at LAX and the airport pages linked earlier. A slightly smaller vehicle can make downtown parking easier, but do not undersize if you will be carrying luggage for multiple people.
FAQ
What is the best long-stay parking for the Catalina ferry from Long Beach? For most travellers, a busy waterfront garage near The Pike or similar downtown structures offers the best mix of proximity, lighting, and simple walking routes to the terminal.
How early should I arrive if I am parking a hire car and walking? A safe plan is to park 45 to 60 minutes before departure. That usually covers finding a space, walking 15 to 25 minutes, and any check-in queue.
Are downtown Long Beach parking garages safe for overnight stays? They are generally fine for visitors, but no garage is risk-free. Choose well-lit areas, keep the cabin empty, and avoid leaving documents or anything that looks valuable.
What if my car hire is too tall for the garages? Do not force it. If clearance looks tight at the entrance, find an open-air lot or a facility with clearly posted higher height limits to avoid damage charges.
Can I drop passengers at the terminal before parking? Yes, and it often makes things easier with luggage. Keep stops brief, follow kerb signage, and avoid blocking traffic in the waterfront zone.
