ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. – This will be the first spring break season where drivers in Pass-A-Grille can use technology to help them find an open parking spot in real time.

What You Need To Know

  • The city installed Park Smart sensors in the public parking areas of Pass-A-Grille

  • Drivers can check the city's website or download the Park Smart SPB app

  • Parking in a metered space cost $3.25 per hour

"Real-time parking availability is incredibly helpful," said Alex Rey, St. Pete Beach City Manager. "Especially during our busiest times, like the upcoming Spring Break." ​

The city installed Park Smart sensors in the public parking areas of Pass-A-Grille that began operating last May. Drivers can check the city's website or download the Park Smart SPB app to see parking availability.  

“We’re using technology to improve the beach going experience," Rey said. "We’re hearing it again and again; the app means more time at the beach and less time looking for parking.”  

Julia Cardenas recently moved from Ohio to Bradenton and visited Pass-A-Grille for the first time on Friday. Cardenas said she was shocked to see all the spots on a nearly two-mile stretch of Gulf Way all filled up.

"This is like incredible to me because there's so many spots, but there's really no empty ones," she said. "I thought maybe if I had circled a couple of times, I could find something along here, but there was just nothing available." 

Cardenas wished she had known about the Park Smart technology before driving to the beach.

"I would've definitely have used it had I known," she said. "Beach parking is always a nightmare and I think that would definitely be beneficial for a lot of people and save a lot of time."​

The Park Smart sensors are only installed in the Pass-A-Grille area of St. Pete Beach. Parking in a metered space cost $3.25 per hour.