It�s time to break old habits when motoring in Downtown Santa Monica for the holiday season.

There are more places than the Fourth Street city parking structures that most people head for when looking for parking. There are in fact nine city parking structures in Downtown, many of which often have plentiful parking and easy access, with the best parking options off of Wilshire Blvd.

If driving west on the 10/Santa Monica Freeway, exit at Fifth Street, instead of Fourth Street. Drive north to Wilshire Blvd. and make a left turn. At Fourth Street, turn right and make a quick left into Structure #9, one of the most unused parking sites in Santa Monica.

Or, at Wilshire Blvd. and Second Street, turn left and look for Parking Structure #2 on the left; it�s the best place to park for the Wednesday Farmers� Market. Also on Second Street is Parking Structure #4, just south of Arizona Ave. and north of Santa Monica Blvd.

All of the city parking structures provide two free hours to visitors. The rate is only $1 per each half-hour thereafter from 8 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., $7 maximum daily. There is a flat rate of $3 for vehicles entering after 5:59 p.m. There are also several parking lots throughout Downtown and metered off-street parking, as well as metered street parking. Read hours of operation carefully to avoid ticketing.

Also, for the first time in the City�s history, public valet parking will be available in Structure #5 located on Fourth Street between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd. The valet parking program will begin Friday, November 28 and will be available evenings and weekends.

For more information and to view a map of Downtown public parking, visit the Santa Monica parking site: http://parking.santa-monica.org.

The Bayside District Corporation manages the Third Street Promenade and Downtown Santa Monica, a popular shopping and entertainment destination. Santa Monica Place is a three-level, ocean-view shopping center that is home to more than 130 specialty shops, services and restaurants, plus two anchor stores.

# # #

Media Contact: Maria Fotopoulos +1 310-393-8355 mfotopoulos@baysidedistrict.org