Schoolhouse Block Parking Structure

UPDATE: Today was a cluster. I arrived in the structure around 3pm only to find that there was a clog at the exit that stretched all the way to the 3^rd floor… the 3^rd floor! I lucked out and a spot opened up, but I waited (without moving) in one spot for about 10 mins. Who knows how long the other cars waited but I would guess about 20 – 30 mins just to exit!
Despite this, I wanted to give a shout out/​high five to the younger employee there named Hector. He is the only worker there that is ever nice & smiles. He asks how we are doing and says «have a good night» as we leave. Way to be awesome, Hector! Management there should get him to train the rest of the team.
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This lot is staffed by the WORST employees ever. The sour-​faced lady (Mercedes) that runs the parking office is so inept & unhelpful it’s a wonder how anyone has put her there as a customer service rep. Hopefully there are other duties she fulfills. I think her favorite words are «no» & «I can’t» lol. ugh! So annoying.
The short, controlling, grumpy old man who works as a parking attendant is equally awful. He NEVER smiles and gets pissed if you don’t hand him your ticket. Um, that’s why the automated system is there dude… don’t get mad. One time he yelled at us, saying we had to give him our ticket because we wouldn’t be able to reach — even though we could. He literally grabbed the ticket as I was inserting it to the automated system — chill, Napoleon!

N-​O! NO! Do not pay them a dime … Mercedes, Gabby, and the rest of the crew cover for each other. You pay for the facility and your car gets broken into with precision. They know what kind of scam they are running and thankfully tonight a Pasadena detective showed up after our car got broken into. The shady «security guards «at this facility have it down to an art. According to the detective they are so clever they crawl through the window without opening the door.
After a little detective work, this facility is owned by the City of Pasadena. There are 4 security guards at any given time and only cameras at the main entrances to see who DRIVES in and out!?! Give me a break… AND they asked us to pay when we left. See pics …

I found this parking garage in Old Town Pasadena to be just right. What did I like about this garage?
1. Great location, and it is walking distance to many cool restaurants & shops.
2. Affordable parking rates. First 90 minutes is free parking. $ 6 Daily Maximum.
What did I not like? It is very slow to exit during peak time. Would be nice if they had somewhere to pay at before we return to our vehicle. There are many garages which have those machines where we pay for our parking ahead of time. Speeds things up a lot.

Had to run a few errands so headed to Old Pasadena. It’s a few days after Christmas so figured it would be busy so just headed to the roof which takes a long time because of the design of the structure. Returned with over 20 minutes remaining and it took forever to exit and I was 5 minutes past my 90 free minutes and had to pay. Totally sucks! If not for a long line behind me I would have made a stink and refuse to pay but didn’t want to piss off cars behind me.
I have no idea why this place doesn’t spend a few bucks for kiosks.
Park at your own risk.

90 minutes free parking! Doesn’t get better than that. There’s two other structures off of Green St that are also 90 minutes free.

Wouldn’t be so bad if it was well organized but the exits are so few and lines are so long you better come back at least 20 minutes before the time expires. Sometimes the car in front of you is having a hard time figuring out the kiosk while NO ONE went for help and you will be stuck in the line for a good solid 10 minutes or so

If you need to know just two parking structures in Old Town Pasadena, this is one of them (the other is the Delacey one a block west on S. De Lacey Ave). This structure is conveniently located on the northeast corner of Fair Oaks Ave. and Green St. There are two entrances — one on Fair Oaks if you are northbound on Fair Oaks (you WILL get honks or middle fingers for blocking traffic if you try to ~illegally~ turn left from the other side), otherwise just circle around the block and use the Green Street (one-​way going east) entrance.
Parking is free for 90 minutes before 10pm, which is usually sufficient enough for a meal, a trip to the Apple Store for your broken iPhone, or some shopping on Colorado Blvd. After 90 minutes, it is $ 2 every 30 minutes until $ 6. It is a $ 5 flat fee if you enter after 10pm. Always plan enough time to exit as there are a lot of cars, allocating at least 10 – 15 minutes especially on the weekends.
Some parking spaces are tight, so use your own discretion. The structure is generally clean and pretty well-​lighted at night. Be patient and good luck — you’ll find a spot!

BE CAREFUL!!! Plan on it taking at least 20 – 30 minutes toexit onthe weekends. This lot is run by people who will charge you extra money, even if you were waiting for 20 minutes in a long line in order to exit. Thus, not only is your time being wasted, you are paying them for the the experience. Unfortunately, they do not offer a automated kiosk where you can pay prior to entering your car. The Grove and Americana have this, and exiting is not an issue. If you try to explain the situation, they are disengaged, rude, and do not care that their system is unfair. From now on I am avoiding his particular lot at all costs.

Beware! Come back at least 30 minutes early back to your car if you parked on the upper floors, at least daytime on the weekends. We arrived 10 minutes at our car before our 90 minutes of free parking were up and it took 20 minutes to get all the way down (from the roof) to the pay station exits (the only way to pay) because of all the other cars on all the floors also trying to exit the parking structure. The unfriendly employee didn’t care and still made us pay $ 2. This parking lot is always cramped, pretty full, and the elevators were not working today.

first 90 minutes free, $ 2 every 30 minutes after — centrally located, clean (although some slots are really narrow). do leave time to exit (I usually reserve 10 – 15 minutes) since it takes a while to wind your way down to pay.

The only lot I park in when I come to Old Town.
Entrance is on Green.
Free for 90 minutes. $ 2 every 30 minutes after, up until $ 6
$ 5 flat if you come after 10 pm.
Always crowded so be patient when looking for a spot. I hate when people tailgate when looking for parking!!!
Tip, I drive up a few floors, if I do not find parking I take the exit route down and there are usually spots open on that side.

This is my favorite parking garage. Free for first 90 min on weekdays, therefore gets full and I sometimes have to park on the roof. The traffic flow is different from any other garage I’ve been in, when it’s two way you end up driving on the left, but the way they’ve done it, it somehow feels safer and more efficient than the usual layout. I wish other garages would adopt this innovative design. You really can’t beat 90 free minutes. I have this garage stored in my Waze favorite locations.

This is my go to parking structure located in the middle of Old Town Pasadena. They have a free 90 mins policy with the same ticket when you entered. The rates are reasonable at additional $ 2 an hour, up to $ 6 max with the same date ticket. *Warning– they automatically charge you $ 5 if you enter after 10pm or if you don’t leave by 9:59pm, Even if it’s 20 mins.
The structure itself is spacious with three levels up and three levels down, perfect for any Rose Parade or nearby entertainment. I personally enjoy the parking below for easier entering and exiting. They have three entrances: Fair Oaks Ave, Green St. And Raymond Ave for public. A few charging stations for electric vehicles right next to the stairs. There’s even a green car wash station during the day for quick services.
Overall, I love this location, much more convenient then the other two nearby. Clean and spacious spots to enjoy with plenty of security watching. A fair warning, be careful if your leaving around midnight. A few times, there were rowdy drunks leaving the structure.

The traffic flow once you get inside is weird so be careful. Very ruthless drivers at peak times. The first 90 minutes are free and can’t beat that! The exit lanes on Green St. are dangerous use caution when leaving and watch closely for pedestrians not expecting you to drive out.

SMH.
Free parking first 90 minutes. Don’t be over, how simple is that?
Flat rate $ 5 after 10pm.

Great parking option in Old Town.
This lot give you 90 minutes free, after that it’s $ 2/​hour with a max of $ 6. If you enter after 10pm it’s $ 5 flat until 5 or 6am. Pretty good price for parking.
Much larger than the DeLacey garage that gets full very quickly and the lot behind Pottery barn doesn’t do 90 minutes free.
I’ve left my car overnight after a night of too much drinking and didn’t have to pay a million dollars so that was nice.

Old Town Pasadena has a plethora of things to do for the whole family; eat, shop, hang out and park FREE for 90 minutes. Woo hoo!!! Granted there are a couple other parking structures in Old Town that have this same deal, but I like this one because it is more centrally located to everything on Colorado Blvd than the others.
Here’s the breakdown:
Parking is free for the first 90 minutes, plus $ 2 an additional hour.
Daytime, cost is $ 6 from 5 am to 10 pm
Overnight it’s only $ 5 from 10 pm — 5 am.
If you’re looking for monthly parking and need to leave your car, it costs $ 75 per month.
Need to plug your car in to charge while you redeem your $ 75 for $ 100 Unilocal Deal at Arnott Kenpo Karate? Schoolhouse has outlets available.
Are you Eco friendly and want to have your car cleaned while basking in the sun, solving the NYT Sunday Crossword puzzle while getting your healthy eat on at the Little Flower Candy Company? Eco Auto Care located on the B2 of the parking structure will take care of your car.
Remember, this is a maximum of 90 mins. There is absolutely no grace period, even if the line to get out is long. If you want to avoid the extra $ 2.00 for being over the 90 by one minute, allow yourself ample time to get to your car and exit the structure.

Wow, they offer NO grace period whatsoever. My ticket said 12:09, so I was supposed to reach 90 minutes at 12:39. Unfortunately I was parked on the top level and their stupid elevator wouldn’t take me up to the roof. So I had to take a few extra minutes to hike it up three levels and then drive down four levels to the kiosk.
Just as I gave him my ticket, I noticed that their time meter turned from 12:39 to 12:40. FML I had to pay $ 2, gah. The attendant called mgmt for me since I was late by one minute, but they wouldn’t budge. Usually most parking garages will give you 5 – 10 grace period, since understandably there might be a line or just take forever to come down. Not here. FAIL!!!

Quick tip review:
In the heart of Old Town Pasadena, the first 90 minutes are free, $ 2/​hr after that, $ 6 max. Easy access in and out from the Green Street side.

I’m sold with the 90 minutes of free parking.
It does suck to go over by a few minutes and end up paying $ 2.00 like I did yesterday.
I just need to remember to get in and get the hell out in 90 minutes.