{"id":445599,"date":"2026-08-28T00:15:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T00:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/445599\/"},"modified":"2026-08-28T00:15:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T00:15:31","slug":"bakersfield-mall-starts-charging-up-to-10-for-parking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/445599\/","title":{"rendered":"Bakersfield mall starts charging up to $10 for parking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scoring a parking space at a California mall is no longer a matter of luck \u2014 it\u2019s a matter of whether you\u2019re willing to pay up<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Valley Plaza Mall in Bakersfield has sparked outrage after rolling out a new program that charges shoppers to park in some of the spaces closest to the entrance.<\/p>\n

The \u201cPreferred Paid Parking\u201d program launched Aug. 1 at the mall, giving shoppers a choice: cough up a couple of bucks for a spot or park for free farther away.<\/p>\n

But the move has already left some locals seeing red \u2014 and they\u2019ve taken to social media to let the mall know it.<\/p>\n

A Central Valley city has created an uproar after charging shoppers to park in prime parking spaces at a Bakersfield mall.<\/p>\n

Valley Plaza has rolled out a paid parking option as shoppers push back.<\/p>\n

Gabrielata posted a TikTok<\/a> mocking one of the parking spots and said if she was going to pay for parking it certainly wouldn\u2019t be one so far away from the mall\u2019s entrance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her video showed a parking spot located at least ten spaces away from the front.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what happens when LA people move to Bakersfield. NOW THEY\u2019RE CHARGING FOR PARKING,\u201d one person wrote in response to the video.<\/p>\n

While there\u2019s more than five thousand parking spaces available, a total of 240 spaces are now only for drivers willing to pay a couple bucks to park there,<\/p>\n

Others pointed out that shopping malls are already struggling<\/a> and this is not going to help.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want people to come to your business you shouldn\u2019t charge them for parking, you want them to spend the money inside the stores,\u201d shopper C.A. Nunerle told 23 ABC<\/a> Bakersfield.<\/p>\n

The cost to park in the preferred spots runs $2.45 for the first hour and $2 for every additional hour, with a maximum of $10 per day. Facbeook\/@Dad\u0092s Gone Live<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother reason NOT to go to the mall!!They shoot themselves in the foot doing this!!\u201d another person wrote on social media.<\/p>\n

Of the mall\u2019s more than 5,000 parking spaces, 240 have been designated for drivers willing to pay for the privilege, according to Bakersfield Now<\/a>. The program does not affect handicapped parking spaces.<\/p>\n

The cost to park in the preferred spots runs $2.45 for the first hour and $2 for every additional hour, with a maximum of $10 per day.\u00a0Drivers can pay using a credit card by scanning a QR code or sending a text message and cash is not accepted.<\/p>\n

Chicago-based mall operator General Growth Properties (GGP) said the change is in an effort to address one of the common problems they hear from shoppers, which is struggling to find a convenient place to park, USA Today<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n

Northridge Fashion Center in Los Angeles has begun charging for parking along with numerous shopping centers across the country.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just happening in Bakersfield. Northridge Fashion Center in Los Angeles has begun charging for parking along with numerous GGP shopping centers across the country, upsetting shoppers<\/a> who accuse the company of just looking to make an extra buck.<\/p>\n

GGP spokesperson Lindsay Kahn said \u201cPreferred Parking is intended for those who want the convenience to not look for a spot.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s happening at numerous GGP shopping centers across the country, upseting shoppers<\/a> who accuse the company of just looking to make an extra buck.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether guests are making a quick shopping trip, looking to get in and out or parking for a restaurant reservation, the program is an amenity for convenience.\u201d<\/p>\n

The company also addressed the pay to park fee and said that 10% of the proceeds goes to a\u00a0 local charity.<\/p>\n

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