A New Trend? Multiple Parking Options in Santa Cruz, California

I was recently at a grocery store here in Northern California and couldn't help but notice that rather than the standard three parking options I usually see, this particular lot had five:

There was the Classic anyone-can-park-here kind of space...

We all recognize a Handicapped spot...

And narrow slots for Compact cars...

But there were two more options that caught my eye.

The Low Emission option I'm assuming for electric and hybrid vehicles...

And this was the first time I've ever seen Carpool Only spaces.

I wonder if these are signs of things to come? I didn't notice any parking police counting carpool occupants or checking makes and models for low emissions so I think their concept is based on the honor system. But I found it kind of cool a store is so actively promoting eco-consciousness and a little amusing that there were so many choices that I couldn't help but take a few pictures to share with you here on The Blog.

Before I saw this lot the only other time I've ever felt amused in a parking lot, so much so I laughed out loud, was when I saw this sign in a lot in Burlingame, California. Keep in mind that just down the highway in San Francisco it costs 25¢ for 6 or 7 minutes at parking meters and it's not at all uncommon to be paying between $2.50 to $6.00 (or more) for every 20 minutes in a parking garage... But in Burlingame you have this option:

OK, so you can't get change. But at 10¢ per hour, I can live with that! Even if I only had a $5 bill it would be worth it to overpay than try my luck at the heavily patrolled parking meters.

Perhaps I'm too easily amused but I think you have to allow yourself to be amused whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself. Laughing is good :D