Extra Trolley service just steps away from the waterfront makes transit the easiest way to San Diego's signature celebration
San Diego – As hundreds of thousands of people head to the waterfront for San Diego's largest Fourth of July celebration, coinciding with the nation's 250th birthday celebration, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is making it easier to get there without the stress of traffic or searching for parking. MTS will operate additional Trolley service before and after the Big Bay Boom fireworks show, giving riders a convenient way to travel to and from downtown with traffic or parking hassles.
In observance of Fourth of July, MTS bus and Trolley service will operate a Saturday schedule on both Friday, July 3 (observed holiday), and on Saturday, July 4, with extra Trolley service for the downtown fireworks show to manage the large crowds. Big Bay Boom begins at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, with four fireworks barges lighting up the San Diego Bay. The best viewing locations are all within a short walk from several Trolley stations:
- County Center / Little Italy (UC San Diego Blue Line & Green Line)
- Santa Fe Depot (UC San Diego Blue Line & Green Line)
- America Plaza (UC San Diego Blue Line)
- Seaport Village (Green Line)
- Convention Center (Green Line)
- Gaslamp Quarter (Green Line)
Big Bay Boom Trolley Service Information:
Green Line
- Pre-event: Service every 15 minutes throughout the day, with extra service from the Stadium Station to downtown San Diego from approximately 8 to 8:30 p.m.
- Post-event: Additional Green Line Trolleys, including longer trains, will operate eastbound toward El Cajon to accommodate departing crowds starting at approximately 9:25 p.m., and running every 15 minutes or better. The last eastbound train to El Cajon will depart downtown shortly after 11 p.m.
UC San Diego Blue Line
- Pre-event: Service every 15 minutes throughout the day.
- Post-event: Southbound trains to San Ysidro will depart Santa Fe Depot every 15 minutes until 11:22 p.m., with one final train to San Ysidro departing at 11:52 p.m. Northbound trains to UTC will depart Santa Fe Depot every 15 minutes (with one extra trip added immediately post-event) until 10:52 p.m. The last northbound trip of the evening departs Santa Fe Depot at 11:22 p.m.
Orange Line
- Pre-event: Orange Line riders can transfer to the Green Line at 12th & Imperial to reach waterfront viewing locations. Service will operate every 30 minutes .
- Post-event: Orange Line service will run every 30 minutes, with added 15-minute service from 12th & Imperial as needed to accommodate large crowds.
Copper Line
- Normal Saturday service will operate throughout the day.
Transit Tips:
Get Your Fare Before You Go: Skip the ticket machine lines by downloading the PRONTO app and loading your fare before arriving. Riders may also purchase or reload a PRONTO card at any Trolley station ticket machine or participating retail location. Planning ahead will save time on one of the busiest transit days of the year.
Contactless Payment: Riders can also simply tap a contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or smartwatch at a station validator and ride away. Each rider must use their own payment method.
Free Park & Ride Parking: Free parking is available at MTS Park & Ride lots throughout the Trolley system, making it easy to avoid downtown traffic and parking fees.
Ride Free Promotions: Celebrate together! On Saturday, July 4, one friend may ride free all day with a fare-paying customer on all MTS buses and Trolleys. Youth ages 6–18 also ride free every day with the Youth Opportunity Pass program using a valid Youth PRONTO card or account.
The MTS Information and Trip Planning Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4. PRONTO Support will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, July 3, and will be closed on Saturday, July 4. MTS Administrative Offices, the MTS Transit Store, and Customer Service will be closed Friday, July 3, and will reopen for regular hours Monday, July 6.
For a full Trolley schedule and additional event information, visit the MTS Big Bay Boom webpage.
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates more than 100 bus routes and three Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday more than 250,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2025, MTS made more than 81 million passenger trips. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.
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