Sunday won't be a test of how many people a sports franchise can bring downtown for meals and shopping, because last-minute shoppers will already pack the place.
But it will be a test of whether there will be enough parking for 3,000 fans who will pack the Kaiser Permanente Arena for the sold out 5 p.m. home opener. (Think Santa Cruz will see its first ticket scalpers?)
Some of the places where people can park for $10 for the day include:
* Depot Park (Center St near the Pacific Ave Traffic Circle).
* Lot 23 (Front St./Laurel St. West)
*Lot 27 (Front St./Laurel St. East)
* Lot 22 (Upper Front Street, across from Metro Center)
* Lot 3 (Cedar/Church)
*Municipal Wharf, with prices ranging from $1 per hour to $10 all day.
* County Government Center on Ocean St. where 300 spots are free of charge. There will be trolley service to the Kaiser Permanente Arena from there.
Fans can also find available lots by downloading the city’s parking app at http://www.theparkerapp.com.
Season ticket holders are encouraged to purchase pre-designated parking spots in a city lot that will be theirs throughout the season. The city is accepting purchases until 2:00 p.m. on December 23 for a spot that will be honored for the first home game. Visit eventbrite.com to learn more.
Event-day parking will be available throughout Downtown during the entire season, with more expensive parking closer to the Kaiser Permanente Arena. The city urges fans to seek parking outside of the immediate downtown area for the first game.
All other downtown lots and garages will be available on a first-come first-served basis for 50 cents per hour to $5 all day.
For a map of City lots, click here: http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=1075.
Pedicabs will be running in conjunction with Santa Cruz Warriors home games, and anybody who presents their ticket to an official Warriors pedicab driver can ride for free. The Santa Cruz Warriors will also provide bike parking on the Front Street side of the arena. A security guard will be present and attending to the bicycles at all times.
There are 12 disabled parking spaces at Lot 17, which is off Laurel Street Extension near Wheel Works, and 6 disabled spots on both sides of Spruce Street where it intersects with Front Street.
