Hey Reddit I’m currently learning how to drive (manual) and I can’t seem to find a good spacious area to practice. I used to practice at the Snapdragon Stadium parking before I got asked to leave the property (I know not the best choice) is there any huge Parking or roads where I could learn?
I learned by doing the loop over and over again on Fiesta Island. Go on a week day, not crowded, good amount of turns, stop sign etc.
This is a great suggestion!
And handling the sporadic biker. Gotta properly learn adjacent spacing!
I taught my son to drive at Grossmont College on the weekends. Has a parking structure, a giant loop to drive around, and lots of space to practice maneuvers. He practiced freeway driving during very early weekend mornings-much calmer, less traffic. I also learned to drive on a manual. Good for you!
As a driving instructor, I second Grossmont College. With the students out till Feb it is empty. Use the small hills in the parking structure to practice your clutch work. Cheers.
I second this. Especially on a Sunday, the entire campus is yours to practice in
There, or in south bay, Southwestern College is similar.
Public park parking lots during the early morning or late night are often empty. That’s where I practice
I agree, public lots should be fine. I’m thinking high school lots on the weekends. Thumbs up for learning to drive a manual, becoming a lost art. I learned on a manual in the parking around the Carls Jr by the mall in Carlsbad….a long time ago. Good luck.
Do you have a magnet for your car that says student driver. If you don’t have one, consider getting one. Most reasonable experienced drivers will cut you a lot of slack when they see that magnet.
I’m really sorry you got chased off of the stadium parking lot. That sort of place used to be ideal for learning how to drive.
I’ll look into it! Yeah I got scared specially since authorities tend to be really jerks with young adults, lucky nothing escalated and we just left the area :/
parking lots at ski beach or shelter island
There’s a very large parking lot by Belmont park. When I was learning stick I went there for the first few days.
Holy Cross cemetery, or any other Cemetery in the city where its open access. No one bothers you
I learned in cemeteries. My dad used to joke that if I did something wrong, they already knew what to do with my body.
weekend school lots, weekday church lots.
You could try shopping mall parking lots before they open. Not entirely sure where you’re located but Plaza Bonita mall early on the weekend (mall opens around 10am) is usually pretty empty.
Try to find a place with a ramp or steep hill. If you can stop and start while facing up a big hill, you've mastered the clutch!
South Shores Park
Grossmont College has a lot of good parking lots and roads to practice on. That's where we took our daughter to practice for her license.
Fiesta island Or really any big stadium with an open parking lot
Churches and community colleges
Community college parking lots and business parks are empty on the weekends. They make great spots for practice, especially for parking.
Most college campuses are friendly!
Mesa college lower parking lot off of Marlesta on the weekends
Any Westfield shopping center early morning/evening
Large church or mall parking lot at night when lots are mostly empty
Hit up Google maps satellite view and just look for big empty lots without any gates near you.
Im slightly scare of getting called out by security again, since parking lots tend to be private property 💔
I just realized you said you were learning manual. If you can get the car started & moving already and just need practice, the best thing I did was go out super late at night when the roads are dead and you won't have to worry about anyone honking or getting mad at you, and you have every street and hill to yourself.
It is my first time driving in general and I don’t feel confident in streets yet, just because there’s always someone going 100 mph at a 30 mph street 😭 I can drive in general and do turns and stuff it’s just the street anxiety I guess
Go very early on Saturday or Sunday morning out on any road. Almost any high school parking lot on a weekend.