Monterey County Fairgrounds parking frustration

Over the Memorial Day Weekend, thousands of people crowded into the Monterey County Fairgrounds for the California Roots Festival. Some places charged up to $50 a spot. Others hiked it after parking elsewhere, like the corner of Ramona and Montecito.

Suzy Ford said people squeezed in and tried to fit as many cars as possible into these residential streets, but no one blocked her in.

“It was hard to get in and out of my driveway because you’re trying to pay attention to the cars and the people walking,” Ford said.

Carmen Garcia, like some of her neighbors, want a parking permit system like the homeowners who live on the other side of the fairgrounds. But getting it isn’t so simple.

“What it takes is 50 plus 1 percent of all the residents in the neighborhood need to sign a petition saying they want to have a program,” said Kim Bui-Burton, Community Services Director.

Ahead of the Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival this weekend, neighbors take this advice —

“If they ever see anybody blocking a fire hydrant or a driveway unsafely,” Bui-Burton explained, “The police can always be called.”

Roughly 75 citations were handed out this weekend to drivers who broke the parking rules. The city says that’s about average.