Transportation and Parking

Come to San Diego Bay for the fireworks – but try not to bring your car.

Parking along San Diego Bay fills up quickly. Get there early and plan where to park. We strongly encourage you to use our transportation partners.

Big Bay Boom Parking

Our transportation partners will help move you in and out of the bay. The Port of San Diego has set up:

• • Expanded 4th of July train, trolley and bus service  from MTS
  • New: Guaranteed Parking with pre-purchased tickets
  • Parking Meters are Free on the July 4th. Posted time limits at meters and payboxes will be enforced at Embarcadero, Shelter Island and Spanish Landing
  • View All Available Parking Details
  • Download all available parking details(PDF).

Trolleys, Buses, Trains  –  Metropolitan Transit System

Important Trolley and Bus Schedule Information for Big Bay Boom

MTS offers:

• Expanded Trolley service to the Big Bay Boom fireworks extravaganza!
• Free parking at MTS Park & Ride lots throughout the system.
• Download the PRONTO App to your phone or pick-up and add money to a PRONTO card (one-time $2 fee) at any Trolley ticket machine or any participating retail network location.
• MTS’ FRIENDS RIDE FREE promotion is in effect. A friend may ride free with a fare-paying customer on all MTS routes on July 4.
• Contactless Payment: Skip the Trolley ticket machine by simply tapping a credit card or other contactless payment options, such as a smartphone or smartwatch, on a Trolley station validator to pay for a one-way ride ($2.50, valid for two hours).

The greatest frequency will be immediately after the end of the Fireworks. Green Line trains will depart every 7.5 minutes toward Santee. Blue Line trains will depart every 15 minutes immediately after the conclusion of the show as needed, then every 30 minutes until just before midnight. Orange Line will have an additional trip then every 30 minutes until about 10pm. Between Santa Fe Depot and Old Town, trips will be about every five minutes for one hour after the Fireworks. For full information, visit the MTS website.

The extra trips for the Big Bay Boom are planned as follows. One extra Blue Line in service from Santa Fe Depot to UTC, expressing from 12th & Imperial to Santa Fe, leaving Santa Fe at 9:47 PM. One extra Orange Line Shuttle departing 12th & Imperial for El Cajon at 9:41PM. Three Green Line shuttles (4-car trains) to El Cajon, with the first going in service at Santa Fe Depot at 9:24 PM, the second going in service at County Center at 9:41 PM, and the last one going in service at Gaslamp at 9:49 PM. We spread the pull outs in this way because Seaport Village, Santa Fe, and County Center all fill up, and if every train went in service at Gaslamp the patrons at County Center would probably have to wait for three or four trains to pass to have space to board.

Buy a Transit Ticket on your Smart Phone with PRONTO

Download the PRONTO App to your phone, then load money onto your app ahead of time. Alternatively, you can also pick-up and add money to a PRONTO card (one-time $2 fee) at any Trolley ticket machine or any participating retail network location. Tap or scan your PRONTO card/app at a station validator every time you ride! A one-way fare will be deducted (valid for free transfers for two hours), up to the value of a Day Pass. We recommend loading at least enough money for a round-trip to save time after the fireworks! You can also add more money to your account for future use (money added to PRONTO never expires). Click here to learn more about PRONTO or view the Full MTS Fare Chart.

Coaster — North County Transit District

The Coaster takes you a few blocks from the Embarcadero. Pick up the coaster from Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Sorrento Valley, and Old Town   For more on the coaster see www.gonctd.com

CharterUP

If you’re traveling to Big Bay Boom with a group, rent a charter bus in San Diego with CharterUP. A custom, private shuttle bus rental can be arranged to transport your group to and from the Embarcadero, Coronado Ferry Landing, and other locations around San Diego Bay.

Guaranteed San Diego Bay Parking

Reserve a parking space with rates up to 50% better than drive-up.

We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking, in advance, through parking reservation app SpotHero.  Visit our guaranteed parking page to find out more.

Amtrack

The Santa Fe Depot train station is only a few blocks from the Embarcadero. The Pacific Surfliner route goes up the California coast.  For the train schedule see www.amtrak.com

Additional Parking around San Diego Bay Page during the 4th of July.

San Diego Convention Center & Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel Garages
The Ace Parking garage below the San Diego Convention Center and the garage next to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel have parking facilities; see parking details for rates. 

Street Parking
All metered parking on streets will be free on July 4th. Posted time limits at meters and payboxes will be enforced at Embarcadero, Shelter Island, and Spanish Landing