> In all spaces marked for city administered public parking within the city, all vehicles shall be parked with the front end of the vehicle facing into the space provided for parking. It shall be unlawful for any person to back any vehicle into such parking space. No person shall stand or park a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or into the roadway other than as indicated by signs or markings.
I recall this being the case in Palo Alto for city lots at one time and I believe that San Francisco city lots are similarly ordinanced.
Unless you know the city, it's safest to park "the standard way". No one wants to get a ticket in an out of state city.
Furthermore, there is some "unless you do have a backup camera, the backing into a spot between two cars is more difficult than going in forwards and then using the lot space upon leaving to properly orient."
Lastly, if you are to make use of the trunk of the car, most parking lots are set up to allow easier access when not backed in.
> I recall this being the case in Palo Alto for city lots at one time and I believe that San Francisco city lots are similarly ordinanced.
Anecdotally this does not seem to be the case any more, I live in the area and have never been ticketed for backing in. I usually don’t park any other way. You know, in case of zombies and I have to leave quickly.
> Unless you know the city, it's safest to park "the standard way”.
Depends on the city. Which requires…knowing the city? Or at least looking about. So I think that dismisses any idea that one should default to nose-in. Just park like everyone else is doing if you’re so worried. Only thing I’ve seen people ticketed for in SF is not curbing their wheels, which, likely you won’t notice or know about if you’re from out of town.
> Furthermore, there is some "unless you do have a backup camera, the backing into a spot between two cars is more difficult than going in forwards and then using the lot space upon leaving to properly orient."
This is only the case if you have never practiced backing up. It’s actually much easier to make precise movements when you’re reversing, due to the front wheel steering. I’m grateful that this was taught to me by my driving course.
> Lastly, if you are to make use of the trunk of the car, most parking lots are set up to allow easier access when not backed in.
Note that this is for "for city administered public parking within the city" and doesn't apply to private / commercial lots (which may have their own parking restrictions).
I think nose in for 45 degree parking spots makes sense.
There's probably a practicality argument to be made for 90 degree parking to be nose in, because I think it probably results in less blocking of the road is drivers are forced to do the "easier/quicker" front first drive into a spot when arriving avoiding extended time doing "complicated reversing manoeuvres" while other people are trying to get past, and are forced to wait in the parking spot for a big enough gap in traffic (or another driver wanting the spot) before backing out.
> In all spaces marked for city administered public parking within the city, all vehicles shall be parked with the front end of the vehicle facing into the space provided for parking. It shall be unlawful for any person to back any vehicle into such parking space. No person shall stand or park a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or into the roadway other than as indicated by signs or markings.
I recall this being the case in Palo Alto for city lots at one time and I believe that San Francisco city lots are similarly ordinanced.
Unless you know the city, it's safest to park "the standard way". No one wants to get a ticket in an out of state city.
Furthermore, there is some "unless you do have a backup camera, the backing into a spot between two cars is more difficult than going in forwards and then using the lot space upon leaving to properly orient."
Lastly, if you are to make use of the trunk of the car, most parking lots are set up to allow easier access when not backed in.