SAN FRANCISCO -- The city's neighborhoods are stuffed with places to eat, sites to see and things to buy so parking -- particularly in areas like North Beach -- is nearly impossible to find.

A UCLA professor says he has an answer for this frustrating dilemma. But it's going to cost you.

"In some studies they have found that 2/3rds of all the traffic on the street is hunting for a curb parking space," said Donald Shoup, a professor in the urban planning department at UCLA. "We know how expensive and valuable land is in San Francisco and how expensive housing is, but after 6 O'clock and on Sunday the curb parking is free."

"What some cities have started to do is charge 'market rate' prices for curb parking," he added. "It's the lowest price you can charge (around the clock) and still have about 15 percent of the spaces vacant. You'll be able to find a place to park, but you have to pay for it."

Shoup said the city could install high-tech meters so you could pay with credit cards and that the market rate price could fetch $3 per hour or more. The idea, the UCLA professor said, is to create turn over and open up spaces. Such a system has worked for Pasadena.

"In Pasadena, the curb parking meter revenue is used to fix up the sidewalks," Shoup said. "It also pays for trees and historic lighting fixtures."

But in a city among the most expensive in the world to live in, the idea of 24-hour metered parking fell on deaf eyes.

"It's almost like you paying more for parking than you are for your meal, so you will stay home and order food and have it brought to your house," said Stefano Cassolato, of the North Beach Chamber Of Commerce.

Businessman Reggie Brignolle agreed.

"It (market-rate parking) would take away from my business," Brignolle said. "They could be spending that $3 in my business."

So for now, it looks like Shoup's proposal has little support. San Franciscans will continue to drive around in circles, searching for that elusive parking space.