Ask a city expert and they’ll make the case: It’s not a lack of parking that ails downtown Long Beach. It’s a lack of drivers willing to pay for it.
A new report released by the Long Beach Public Works Department on June 30 found that two of the city’s three public garages — the ones at 50 E. 6th St. and 50 E. 5th St. — are consistently left mostly vacant, even through the crush of some major events, summertime weekends and holiday bonanzas.
An analysis found that the two lots averaged just 26% and 42% occupancy during weekend evenings in 2025. City Place C, the southernmost garage at 50 E. 3rd St. and closest to the Promenade’s restaurants and nightlife, averaged 69% occupancy and occasionally filled up during special events…