SACRAMENTO BEE - How to Find a Parking Space at Sacramento Area Malls

Sacramento´s most frazzled drivers this month aren´t on the highway. They´re lined grill-to-bumper at the mall, stewing over wasted shopping time as they scour for that rare holiday find: a decent parking spot.

How bad can it get? Roseville officials say one motorist called 911 a few years ago for help getting out of the Galleria lot. At Arden Fair holiday seasons have seen fender-benders as drivers duel for spots.

Galleria and Arden Fair officials say the parking trauma has eased in the past few years, thanks to traffic measures, parking guides, shuttle buses and valet parking services.

But be forewarned. This is shaping up to be a bustling Christmas season. You´ve got your shopping list. How about your parking strategy?

Arden Fair, Sacramento

Arden Fair security chief Steve Reed says too many drivers try to squeeze into the tight front entrance lot instead of spreading out.

Shopper Nisarg Shah was one, stuck among stalled cars the day after Thanksgiving. "It was crazy. I couldn´t get out," she said.

When is the worst parking lot moment? Officials say 2:30 p.m., especially weekends.

The best time? Before the stores open, of course.

Reed suggests parking at nearby Cal Expo and taking a free shuttle bus over. Shuttles will run throughout the day from Friday through Dec. 26.

Some savvy shoppers avoid the crowded front by sneaking in side entrances. One, near the Red Lion Hotel, requires navigating from El Camino Avenue, but the payoff is easy access near Sears, and open spots, even on peak days, for those willing to walk a bit.

The other side entrance, off Ethan Way, brings drivers to the less populated back lots. Shopper Doug Craig took that route Sunday. "Go for the back 40," he said. "I always do."

Westfield Galleria, Roseville

Dozens of stores remain closed from the October fire, but that hasn´t stopped shoppers. The mall reports more patrons so far this year than last.

An intersection roundabout off Galleria Boulevard and an in-lot traffic signal nearby have smoothed traffic considerably on the mall´s east side. City officials also have reconfigured signals to give shoppers more green.

If the Galleria Boulevard exit off Highway 65 is looking jammed, city officials suggest taking the Pleasant Grove Boulevard exit and coming in from the west.

Roseville city spokeswoman Megan MacPherson says she has good luck finding spots near Nordstrom. "You wouldn´t think that. Maybe people avoid it."

The Galleria has an on-site shuttle. Also, anyone buying more than $10 in merchandise can ride city buses free.

The Fountains, Roseville

The prime spots are the diagonals on the mall´s main street, but are they worth fighting for? An easier gambit on peak days may be to slip in the south-side lots. They fill last. Or go directly to the overflow parking across Reserve Drive.

Sunrise Mall and MarketPlace at Birdcage, Citrus Heights

Sunrise suffers from the same problem as Arden Fair: Too many shoppers cluster in the front lot off Sunrise Boulevard. Slip in the side and park in back, Sunrise´s Vickie Sherman says. On the north side, that´s at Arcadia Drive and Greenback Lane. South side, that´s Macy Plaza Drive.

You can park at one mall and walk to the other. But, police warn, the streets are wide and traffic is heavy. Plenty of drivers are hurrying to make turns and often aren´t looking for pedestrians.

Downtown, Midtown, Old Sacramento

The basic question downtown is: Should you park on the street or in a garage?

Street parking is now free through Dec. 24 after 4:30 p.m. weekdays and all day on weekends in a broad swath between I and L streets and Front and 29th streets.

But time limits at parking meters and kiosks will still be enforced. And, as of today, a new state surcharge adds $3 to parking tickets. If you plan to shop for 90 minutes or more, "don´t risk it," the city´s Linda Tucker says. "Go to a garage."

Which garage? Downtown Plaza parking is free with validation from mall stores. The city garage at 17th and L streets offers 90 minutes of free parking on weeknights after 4 p.m. and all day on weekends.

Natomas Marketplace, North Natomas

The entrance at Truxel Road was so bad that the city and marketplace owner two years ago expanded the small second entrance just to the north so that vehicles can get in and out from both directions on Truxel. To get to the far end of the center quickly, we know someone who drives behind the stores, past the loading docks, and comes out by Home Depot.