🚗 27 California Road Car Park – The Complete St. Ives Parking Guide
California Road – convenient pay & display, free evenings & Sundays, minutes from town centre & beach.
🚗 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
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Tariffs (Mon–Sat, 08:00–20:00):
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Up to 30 min: £0.80
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Up to 1 h: £1.60
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Up to 2 h: £3.20
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Up to 4 h (max stay): £5.00
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Payment Methods:
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Pay & Display machines (coins, contactless card)
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RingGo app (zone code 10520)
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Resident Permits: Zone SI permit £90 / year (unlimited stays during enforcement hours)
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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
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Blue Badge Bays: Four bays adjacent to pay machines—free with badge displayed
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Drop-Off Zone: Kerbside pull-in beside machine for quick unloading
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Kerb Ramps: Tactile-paved ramps to California Road pavement
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Pathways: Smooth 2 m-wide route to town centre and bus stops
🔌 EV Infrastructure & Nearby Options
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On-Site Charging: None installed
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Planned (2025): Feasibility study for 4 × 7 kW chargers in northeast corner
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Nearest Live Chargers:
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St. Ives Station Car Park: 2 × 7 kW units, 6 min walk
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The Plaza MSCP: 4 × 22 kW rapid, 8 min walk
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📅 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
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Public Toilets: Town Hall (4 min walk)
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ATM: NatWest (High Street, 5 min)
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Pharmacy: Lloyds (High Street, 5 min)
Food & Drink
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The Oyster Catcher (3 min): Seafood & harbor views
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California Café (adjacent): All-day breakfast & coffee
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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
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Enforcement: 08:00–20:00 Mon–Sat by council officers; off-hours CCTV monitoring
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Overstay Penalty: £70 PCN (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days)
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Towing Risk: Unauthorized vehicles liable for removal at owner’s expense
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Maintenance: Quarterly surface & drainage inspections (next due Oct 2025)
📌 Expert Tips
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Beach Days: Park early to avoid midday rush and enjoy seaside by 11:00.
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Blue Badge Holders: Display badge for free stay—no need to hunt for spaces.
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Evening Strolls: Free after 20:00—perfect for sunset walks along the harbor.
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Weather Alert: Northern rows can pool—opt for bays near the entrance machine.
🔮 Future Developments & Planning
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2025 Q3: Installation of 4 × 7 kW EV charging bays funded by council grant
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2025 Q4: Pilot digital pay-station with touchless & multilingual interface
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2026: Feasibility study for +20 bays on adjacent council land (ref: CCC/PLN/2024/1002)
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Accessibility Audit: PAS 1899 compliance review scheduled for Jan 2026
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