Rideshare pickups are now restricted along part of Fifth Avenue in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter during late-night weekend hours as the city works to reduce congestion in one of its busiest entertainment districts.

The restriction covers Fifth Avenue between Market Street and E Street every Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. During those hours, Uber and Lyft drivers can still drop off passengers in the area, but pickups are no longer permitted within the designated zone.

Instead, passengers requesting a ride will be directed to one of several approved pickup locations outside the restricted area.

Fourteen Designated Pickup Areas Support the Change

The City of San Diego worked with rideshare companies to establish 14 passenger pickup locations surrounding the restricted zone. The loading areas are marked with white painted curbs and three-minute passenger loading signs intended to make them easier for drivers to identify.

Uber confirmed that its app now uses geofencing to recognize when a pickup request is made inside the restricted area. Rather than allowing the trip to begin there, the app prompts riders to walk to one of the designated pickup locations before requesting a ride.

Lyft had not issued a public response regarding the program when local television station FOX 5/KUSI reported on the changes.

Congestion Prompted the New Traffic Plan

Fifth Avenue routinely becomes one of the busiest streets in downtown San Diego after bars and restaurants close, particularly around 2 a.m. when large numbers of visitors leave the area at the same time.

City officials said the pickup restriction is intended to reduce vehicle backups while improving traffic flow for drivers and pedestrians moving through the Gaslamp Quarter during peak nightlife hours.

The restriction only applies during the overnight period on Fridays and Saturdays.

Businesses Are Watching How the Change Plays Out

Not everyone expects the transition to happen smoothly.

Aryana Kaypour, an employee at Whiskey Girl on Fifth Avenue, told FOX 5/KUSI she understands why the city introduced the restriction but believes many visitors may not realize pickups have been relocated until they try to request a ride.

“I understand why they’re doing it, but I think it’s also going to create a lot of challenges for people as well. I don’t think anybody knows that that’s going to happen,” she said.

Brandon Ruckdashel, who manages a nearby business, questioned whether the change will simply shift congestion onto surrounding streets instead of reducing it. He also pointed to nearby activity around one of the new pickup locations and wondered whether riders would feel comfortable walking there late at night.

Others interviewed by the station raised similar concerns, noting that Fifth Avenue is typically one of the busiest parts of the district after midnight, while some of the designated pickup areas require riders to leave the main entertainment corridor.

Drivers Should Expect Updated Pickup Locations

Drivers accepting trips near the Gaslamp Quarter during restricted hours should pay close attention to the pickup location displayed in the app. Riders requesting trips from inside the restricted zone will be redirected to one of the city’s designated loading areas before a ride can be dispatched.

For drivers unfamiliar with the change, verifying the pickup pin before entering the area may help avoid unnecessary delays during some of the busiest hours of the weekend.

The ProDriverPoint editorial team creates practical, industry-focused content covering news, regulations, technology, business, and professional driving topics for chauffeur, limousine, motorcoach, bus, taxi, rideshare, NEMT, and commercial transportation professionals.

Last Updated: July 23, 2026

Source: Yahoo News