Sather Gate Garage

The Sather Gate Garage and I go way back. It’s where I sometimes end up after I finish fooling myself about getting a parking spot on the street. The garage itself is kind of dark and you have to watch the tight spaces and curving around the floors. The stairwells, elevator, and payment window areas are also a bit dingy and «interesting» safety-​wise.
However, there are several pluses. That includes people watching, convenience to Telegraph Avenue and Campus, and a decent validated parking rate.
Then there was the time I was running late to my nephew’s graduation at the Greek Theatre. I hurried into the Sather Gate Garage and leaped out of the car, only to realize that I had locked it behind me with the engine still running! An hour and a good sprint later (and thanks to CSAA), I still managed to see him walk across the stage and out into his future.

Tiny freaking clown car spaces so –1 star
I had to park on 4b, so –1 star for extra driving
The pay-​your-​ticket machines did not work, so –1 star
I rode up in the elevator with a bunch of drunk Berkeley people which was amusing, but gives no stars
I got off on 4 (4b, right?), but should have gotten off on 5 — bad labeling so –1 star
My car *was* there when I got back, so +1 star.
Let’s see: 5 –1 –1 –1 +0 –1 +1 = 2 stars.

The prices are right, and you cant beat the location. The reason for the one star is the staff and the state of the building. I know, I know it’s Berkeley, but I’ve been parking here on and off for almost 14 years and have seen this place meet it’s decline. The staff could give a damn about anything. Lines sometimes go around the corner and there’s always someone trying to shake some change off of you while you’re standing in line. They don’t accept credit cards. There used to be a really cool deli and magazine store in the basement. Both gone now. As another reviewer stated, AVOID the stairs at all costs. I’ve seen everything from puke, used condoms, blood and human shit in the stairwells. The bathrooms are downright filthy. The elevators creak and rumble and feel like they’re gonna break down at any moment. I know this place makes money. Would it be too much to ask for a little upkeep?

Central location, reasonable prices and validation are all great. But, they have GOT to do something about the antiquated payment kiosks. They do not give change or accept credit cards, so after a recent event event at Zellarbach, I was stuck waiting for more than 20 minutes to pay. Fortunately, I had cash.

Stay out of the stairwells. I don’t care if you have to wait an extra 7 minutes for the elevator. Unless you have a gas mask and a taser, stay out of the stairwells!!!
Otherwise this garage is fine. It’s cheap for me, but I’m used to San Francisco Parking. We’re not rating the Four Seasons here guys, it’s a parking lot.
Beware they close early on Sundays! I have had my car stuck overnight and it’s a $ 20 fine added to whatever hours your car was there! Also, the attendants don’t know their math. I had to argue with TWO different attendants that $ 20 + $ 20 + $ 4 did NOT equal $ 60!!!
Hours:
Mon — Thurs: 7am — 1am
Fri — Sat: 7am — 2am
Sundays: 7am — 10pm!!!

Hahaha, I’m sorry but the service here is just garbage. Not that I expect great service from a parking garage, but the employees really just don’t care AT ALL and they don’t even disguise it.
The parking works out though and I’ve never had any car problems. The rates are fine by Berkeley standards, but expensive by average standards.
Misc: The bathrooms are some of the worst, the place kind of smells, and overall the whole thing just feels sketchy because of the staff.

nice parking garage.
gives you a ticket when you enter, you pay when you get back to the garage before you get to your car.
less than one hour cost is $ 2 or $ 1 if you have valadation.
I use it when going to lunch, easy to pay, right at the elevators there is 2 automatic pay points and a person behind a glass window, all with usually short lines.
the spots are a little small, but not that bad, there is almost always parking on the top level in the sun (or fog).