Using the PayByPhone app in Downtown San Mateo is one of the easiest and fastest ways to park on the street or in the city-owned parking garages. Available for Apple iOS and Google Android, you can register your vehicles and payment methods.

Look for the signs showing parking location number on poles or stickers on parking meters and kiosks. Next, open the PayByPhone app, enter the same location number, and select the vehicle you want to park. (If you enable GPS on your phone, the location number may pop up for you!) Finally, enter the number of minutes you want to park and confirm your payment method.

The 24-minute parking spaces are also good places for a quick meal pick-up, meal delivery, or hopping in a rideshare. You can find many of these spots near intersections, making it fast to get in and out of that location. (Parking fees apply.)