Typical-week parking vs live parking in San Francisco.
Parking SF is built to help with planning. It turns public historical parking data into a typical-week map, which is a different promise than claiming a live open spot right now.
Parking SF estimates which blocks are typically easier or harder at a given day and hour. It does not claim real-time curb vacancy, live garage inventory, or a guaranteed open space.
What a typical-week model is good at
A typical-week model is useful when the real decision happens before the trip starts. If you want to compare whether Tuesday at 6 p.m. is usually harder than Wednesday at 2 p.m., historical parking patterns are a practical signal.
Why Parking SF does not promise live availability
The product is explicit about its boundary because the public source data does not support honest live occupancy claims. Parking SF uses public parking meter, schedule, 311, and Bay Wheels data. That is enough to explain recurring patterns, but not enough to guarantee the next open curb space.
How to interpret the map correctly
Treat the app as a planning layer. Use it to decide which block, corridor, or hour is usually less painful, then still verify street signs, meter rules, temporary restrictions, and real on-street conditions when you arrive.
Source-backed boundary
The How It Works page is the source of truth for the methodology. Parking SF repeats the same guardrail across the homepage, support page, and FAQ so the public explanation stays consistent.