Back

San Diego – Holiday Transit Service Guide

December 24, 2023

    Hi Mooviters,

    The holidays are upon us, and to ensure your journeys remain effortless and joyful, your favorite transit app is here with the latest updates & service changes! At Moovit, we’re dedicated to keeping you connected and informed throughout this festive season.

    What’s in Store?

    🎄 Holiday Schedule Updates: Many agencies are offering alternative service for Christmas and New Year’s. As always, Moovit is updated. Plan your travels with our trip planner. Check out Holiday & holiday event service for MTS & NCTD below.

    🚌 Real-Time Arrivals: Traveling during the Holiday season can be hectic but Moovit helps you stay informed with Real-Time arrival updates that let you know exactly when your bus/train/subway is arriving.

    ⚠️ In-App Service Alerts: Don’t get caught by any last-minute service changes, stay informed with our in-app service alerts.


    SMT’s Holiday Service

    Christmas Day (Dec. 25) & New Year’s Day (Jan. 1st)

    • MTS Bus – No Service
    • Trolley – All Trolley lines will operate on a half-hour frequency on 12/25, and Sunday schedule on 1/1.
    • Rapid Express Routes 280, 290 – No Service
    • Rural Route 881, 891, 892, 894 – No Service
    • Sorrento Valley COASTER Connection Routes 972, 973, 974, 978, 979, 985 – No Service

    New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31st, 6:00 PM – Jan. 1st, 3:00 AM)

    • MTS will operate extra late-night service on all three Trolley lines, with service past 2 a.m., allowing you to enjoy the festivities and still ensure a safe ride home. Ring in the New Year downtown and plan to let the Trolley take you home.
    • Free rides sponsored by Big Outdoor will be on all MTS Bus and Trolley routes after 6 p.m. until the end of service on New Year’s Eve! Passengers will not need a fare when boarding MTS after 6 p.m.

    Holiday Bowl Parade

    • The Holiday Bowl Parade is this Wednesday, Dec. 27th at 10:00 AM!
    • The parade route is on North Harbor Drive, between the County Administration Building and Seaport Village.
    • Take MTS to the Parade! Take any of the three Trolley lines (Blue, Green, or Orange) to stops close to the parade.
      • From Green Line stations:  Take the Green Line to Seaport Village, Santa Fe Depot, or County Center/Little Italy stations. Trains depart all stations every 15 minutes most of the day. 
      • From UC San Diego Blue Line stations: Take the Trolley to County Center/Little Italy or Santa Fe Depot stations. Trains depart all stations every 15 minutes most of the day (every 7.5 minutes on the Blue Line during the morning and evening commute hours).
      • Take the Orange Line to Courthouse station.

    Holiday Bowl Game

    • After the game, the KGB Sky Show will light up the San Diego skyline over Petco Park with its spectacular and legendary fireworks display.
    • Ride the MTS Trolley to the game!
      • Take the Green Line to the Gaslamp Quarter Station
      • Take the Blue Line or Orange Line to the 12th & Imperial Transit Center.
      • Service will run every 15 minutes from all Green Line, Orange Line, and Blue Line stations throughout the day, with Blue Line service between San Ysidro and downtown running every 7.5 minutes. Additional trips will operate as needed after the game. 

    Holiday Bowl Game Park & Ride Locations

    A number of stations offer free parking. Below is a list of recommended stations to use to get to the Holiday Bowl.

    From the Green Line

    • El Cajon Transit Center (352 S. Marshall Ave. – 469 spaces)
    • Old Town Transit Center (4009 Taylor St. San Diego – 412 spaces)

    From the UC San Diego Blue Line

    • Balboa Avenue (3690 Morena Blvd. – 227 spaces)
    • Tecolote Road (1364 W. Morena Blvd. – 279 spaces)
    • Old Town Transit Center (4009 Taylor St. San Diego – 412 spaces)
    • Palm Avenue (234 Palm Ave. – 499 spaces)
    • Palomar Street (1265 Industrial Ave. – 305 spaces

    From the Orange Line

    • El Cajon Transit Center (352 S. Marshall Ave. – 469 spaces)
    • Grossmont Transit Center (8601 Fletcher Pkwy. – 220 spaces)
    • Spring Street (4250 Spring St. – 324 spaces)

    NCTD’s Holiday Service

    Christmas Day (Dec. 25) & New Year’s Day (Jan. 1st)

    • Coaster – Sunday Service
    • Sprinter – Sunday Service
    • Break/Flex – Sunday Service

    New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31st, 6:00 PM – Jan. 1st, 3:00 AM)

    • NCTD is offering FREE rides on all services after 6:00 PM
    • NCTD is providing extra late-night service for New Year’s Eve for Coaster and Sprinter trains!

     

    Holiday Bowl Parade

    • The Holiday Bowl Parade is this Wednesday, Dec. 27th at 10:00 AM!
    • Avoid traffic and parking! Take COASTER 628 departing Oceanside at 7:36 a.m. | Arrive at Santa Fe Depot 8:37 a.m

    Holiday Bowl Game

    • NCTD is offering an adjusted schedule to help riders get to and home from the DirecTC Holiday Bowl and related events!

    From all of us at Moovit, we wish you safe and joyful travels. Happy Holidays!

    The USA Moovit Team

    Previous