Tuna Harbor parking lot

The price to park is set to spike across San Diego's bay front, following approval last week by the Port of San Diego of the purchase and installation of 520 solar-powered "smart meters" and a change allowing port-owned lots and garages to adjust pricing based on parking demand.

The new meters, which will range in fees from $1 to $2.50 per hour and will be enforced even on Sundays, were approved following the reported success of a pilot program launched in Tuna Harbor last year.

"Demand for public parking along San Diego's popular waterfront has grown in recent years," a port press release states. "Due to recent developments including the opening of the County of San Diego Waterfront Park, The Headquarters retail and restaurant center, the new hotel construction and park at Lane Field, and the construction of public improvements along the North Embarcadero, parking availability has been reduced.

According to the port, the new meters "will improve the visitor experience by providing a modern, user-friendly interface to visitors" that includes an option to pay by credit card.

Enforcement hours will also shift at various waterfront facilities, moving two hours forward from the current 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to a new pay-parking time frame of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The changes are set to take effect May 15.