SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR POSTPONED TO 2021 AMID COVID-19 CONCERNS
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Public Transportation

Public Transportation

Take the train, bus or trolley to the Fair, save on parking fees, and be delivered right to the admission gate!
Take the train, bus or trolley to the Fair, save on parking fees, and be delivered right to the admission gate!

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The information below is from the previous Fair years, and it will give you an idea of what to expect in future Fairs. Please check back soon!

North County Transit District (NCTD)

North County Transit District serves North San Diego County with the COASTER train, the SPRINTER train, and the BREEZE bus system.

The COASTER runs from the Oceanside Transit Center to the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego, with stops in downtown Carlsbad, Poinsettia Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Sorrento Valley and Old Town. Fair guests will disembark at the Solana Beach station, then ride Special Route 408 to the Fair’s West Gate.

The SPRINTER runs between the Oceanside Transit Center and the Escondido Transit Center with stops in Oceanside, Vista and San Marcos. Fair guests can connect with the COASTER in Oceanside, or connect to Special BREEZE Route 408 from Escondido.

NCTD has an extensive bus system called BREEZE. Many routes probably run close to your house, and can connect you to the COASTER or the SPRINTER. Please see the NCTD website for specific information on the BREEZE bus system.

The 101 BREEZE route runs between Oceanside and La Jolla on Highway 101, roughly parallel to the COASTER route. It takes a bit longer than the COASTER (because it makes more stops), but it’s less expensive. You can connect to the Special Route 408 at Lomas Santa Fe in Solana Beach, or you can ride it to the corner of Via de la Valle and Highway 101 and walk about half a mile to the Fairgrounds’ West Gate.

BREEZE buses serve all of North County.

Special Fair Route 408 – During the Fair, NCTD operates Special Route 408 between the Escondido Transit Center and the Fair’s West Gate. Route 408 also circulates between the Fair’s West Gate and the Solana Beach train station.

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)

MTS serves South San Diego County with the Blue Line, Orange Line and Green Line trolleys and MTS bus system.

The Blue Line runs between San Ysidro and downtown San Diego, where it connects with the COASTER at the Santa Fe Depot. Trolley riders can transfer to the COASTER and ride to the Solana Beach station, then connect with Special Route 408 to the Fair’s West Gate.

The Orange Line runs between El Cajon and downtown San Diego, where it connects with the COASTER at the Santa Fe Depot. Trolley riders can transfer to the COASTER and ride to the Solana Beach station, then connect with Special Route 408 to the Fair’s West Gate.

The Green Line runs between Santee and downtown San Diego, where it connects with the COASTER at the Old Town and Santa Fe Depot stations. Trolley riders can transfer to the COASTER and ride to the Solana Beach station, then connect with Special Route 408 to the Fair’s West Gate.

Amtrak

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner runs between San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles’ Union Station and San Diego’s Santa Fe Depot. It makes a stop in Solana Beach, where Fair guests disembark.

Save if you’re a regular transit rider!

If you already have a transit ticket — a monthly pass, for instance — you can get a $4 discount on gate admission. Present a same-day transit ticket or a monthly pass at the West Gate ticket booth to get the discount on adult, senior or child admission.
Please note this discount is offered only at the West Gate, which is where transit buses pick up and drop off passengers.

Save with our Fair Tripper combo ticket!

The Fair Tripper combo ticket is one of our best deals. It combines your round-trip transit fare with Fair admission. Save on parking fees, save on gate admission, save on transit costs. That’s why we call it our “fare & Fair” deal!

Get The Fair Tripper

Information to help you plan your trip

Route 408 Bus Schedule

Route 408 operates between the Escondido Transit Center, the Solana Beach train station, and the West Gate of the San Diego County Fair.

NCTD website
San Diego MTS website
Compass Cloud mobile app
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

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We’re the San Diego County Fair and we send fun emails.
If you sign up for our email list, we pinky swear that we’ll only send you the good stuff. (must be at least 13 years old)