i've just discovered probably ages after everyone else about googlemap street level photographs on google maps these can be seen by zooming in on a road on google maps doesnt work for everywhere but most places. i had heard of it before but it hadnt occurred to me to use it, you can check cache and dash sites ? check where people say to park is going to be big enough for your car ?
just a quick thought , have a look it might help
Alistair