? Type: Public Pay & Display Car Park (Cambridgeshire County Council)
? Open: Enforcement 08:00–20:00 Mon–Sat; free evenings (20:00–08:00), all day Sunday & Bank Holidays
? Rating: N/A (council-run facility)
? Pricing & Permits
Tariffs (Mon–Sat, 08:00–20:00):
Up to 30 min: £0.80
Up to 1 h: £1.60
Up to 2 h: £3.20
Up to 4 h (max stay): £5.00
Payment Methods:
Pay & Display machines (coins, contactless card)
RingGo app (zone code 10520)
Resident Permits: Zone SI permit £90 / year (unlimited stays during enforcement hours)
Season Tickets: Weekly permit £18 (valid any enforcement day)
? Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~50 bays |
| Disabled Bays | 4 marked bays (free for Blue Badge holders) |
| Parent & Child Bays | 2 extra-wide bays near pedestrian exit |
| Surface | Level tarmac with bay lining refreshed 2023 |
| Lighting | LED bollard lights on perimeter (08:00–20:00 hours) |
| Drainage | Channel drains; cleared bi-annually |
| Security | CCTV coverage; periodic council patrols |
| Signage | Zone code & tariffs clearly displayed |
♿ Accessibility & Adapted Facilities
Blue Badge Bays: Four bays adjacent to pay machines—free with badge displayed
Drop-Off Zone: Kerbside pull-in beside machine for quick unloading
Kerb Ramps: Tactile-paved ramps to California Road pavement
Pathways: Smooth 2 m-wide route to town centre and bus stops
? EV Infrastructure & Nearby Options
On-Site Charging: None installed
Planned (2025): Feasibility study for 4 × 7 kW chargers in northeast corner
Nearest Live Chargers:
St. Ives Station Car Park: 2 × 7 kW units, 6 min walk
The Plaza MSCP: 4 × 22 kW rapid, 8 min walk
? Live Demand Patterns & Seasonal Variations
| Period | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 08:00–10:00 | 75 % | Commuters & shoppers |
| Weekdays 12:00–14:00 | 60 % | Lunch-time visitors |
| Weekdays 16:00–18:00 | 70 % | Return commuters |
| Saturdays 10:00–14:00 | 95 % | Weekend shoppers |
| Sundays & Bank Holidays | 40 % | Leisure & beachgoers |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 10:00 on weekends to secure a bay; evenings are free after 20:00.
? Walkability & Local Links
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| St. Ives Town Centre | 4 min | Shops, cafés & tourist information |
| Harbour & Beach | 7 min | Coastal walks & boat tours |
| Bus Stop (Routes A1, A10) | Adjacent | Links to Cambridge & Ely |
| St. Ives Railway Station | 10 min | Services to Cambridge |
? Nearby Amenities & Services
Essentials
Public Toilets: Town Hall (4 min walk)
ATM: NatWest (High Street, 5 min)
Pharmacy: Lloyds (High Street, 5 min)
Food & Drink
The Oyster Catcher (3 min): Seafood & harbor views
California Café (adjacent): All-day breakfast & coffee
The Market House (5 min): Pub dining & local ales
?️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Plaza Multi-Storey CP | 8 min | £1.50/hr; £8/day | Covered & EV rapid charging |
| On-Street Pay & Display (Zone SI) | Adjacent | £0.40/30 min; 2 h max | Short-stay flexibility via app |
| St. Ives Station Car Park | 6 min | £0.50/hr; £4/day | EV charging & rail access |
⚠️ Important Notices & Byelaws
Enforcement: 08:00–20:00 Mon–Sat by council officers; off-hours CCTV monitoring
Overstay Penalty: £70 PCN (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days)
Towing Risk: Unauthorized vehicles liable for removal at owner’s expense
Maintenance: Quarterly surface & drainage inspections (next due Oct 2025)
? Expert Tips
Beach Days: Park early to avoid midday rush and enjoy seaside by 11:00.
Blue Badge Holders: Display badge for free stay—no need to hunt for spaces.
Evening Strolls: Free after 20:00—perfect for sunset walks along the harbor.
Weather Alert: Northern rows can pool—opt for bays near the entrance machine.
? Future Developments & Planning
2025 Q3: Installation of 4 × 7 kW EV charging bays funded by council grant
2025 Q4: Pilot digital pay-station with touchless & multilingual interface
2026: Feasibility study for +20 bays on adjacent council land (ref: CCC/PLN/2024/1002)
Accessibility Audit: PAS 1899 compliance review scheduled for Jan 2026
Low fine activity reported by drivers.
No user price reports submitted yet for this car park.
Verified driver and visitor experiences for 27 California Road Car Park – The Complete St. Ives Parking Guide.
Have you visited or used this space? Share your experience with the community below.
Closest parking spaces ordered by exact mileage distance from this location.
Explore verified UK parking management companies, service providers, and operators.
Anyone nearby or on another device can scan this QR code directly from your display to open the full listing, live navigation, tariff details, and contact information.
Generate an official, high-resolution PMN UK sign poster. You can send it directly to your office printer or save it as a clean PDF to laminate for payment machines, entrance barriers, or customer windows.
Display an official verified listing badge on your business website. It provides visitors with instant verification and a high-authority backlink.
