NCTD service alert: Free Ride Day. Wednesday, Oct 7. FREE rides on COASTER, SPRINTER, BREEZE, FLEX and NCTD+ Celebrate California’s Clean Air Day by riding FREE all day on COASTER,… NCTD details
Free rides Wednesday, Oct 7. NCTD's Clean Air Day: COASTER, SPRINTER and BREEZE are free all day on the normal weekday schedule, no PRONTO card or fare needed. NCTD+ is free 6am to 8pm with promo code FREERIDE. LIFT, MTS and Amtrak Rail 2 Rail are not included. Text PJ your trip.
Official: NCTD service alert: FREE Ride Day, Wed. Oct. 7; also reported by 10News · The Coast News. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
13 race days, Fri Nov 6 to Sun Nov 29. Most days: gates 11 AM, first post 12:30 PM. Grade I days: Sat Nov 28: Hollywood Derby (Gr. I); Sun Nov 29: Matriarch Stakes (Gr. I). From the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's racing calendar.
Race days and trains
| Day | Races | Gates | First post | Stakes | Coaster to Solana Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Nov 6 | 8 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. | |
| Sat Nov 7 | 9 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | The Chosen Vron Stakes | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. |
| Sun Nov 8 | 9 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | Betty Grable Stakes | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. |
| Fri Nov 13 | 8 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. | |
| Sat Nov 14 | 9 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | Desi Arnaz Stakes | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. |
| Sun Nov 15 | 9 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | Bob Hope Stakes (Gr. III) | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. |
| Fri Nov 20 | 8 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. | |
| Sat Nov 21 | 9 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | Native Diver Stakes (Gr. III) | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. |
| Sun Nov 22 | 9 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. | |
| Thu Nov 26 | 8 Races | 9:30 AM | 11 AM | Red Carpet Stakes | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. |
| Fri Nov 27 | 9 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | Hollywood Turf Cup (Gr. II) | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. |
| Sat Nov 28 | 9 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | Hollywood Derby (Gr. I), Seabiscuit Handicap (Gr. II), Jimmy Durante Stakes (Gr. III) | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. |
| Sun Nov 29 | 9 Races | 11 AM | 12:30 PM | Matriarch Stakes (Gr. I), Cecil B. Demille Stakes (Gr. III), Bayakoa Stakes (Gr. III), Stormy Liberal Stakes | NCTD has not published schedule data for this date yet. |
NCTD's published schedule data does not reach these dates yet. Train times fill in here automatically the morning NCTD publishes them.
Getting there without parking
Solana Beach is the closest Coaster station, about 1.4 miles from the racetrack in a straight line (OpenStreetMap). Riders from Oceanside, Carlsbad and Encinitas come south; riders from downtown and Old Town come north. Check NCTD for any race-day bus or shuttle service. From NCTD: parking is free at most COASTER stations, and alcohol is not allowed on COASTER trains.
Sources: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racing calendar, NCTD COASTER schedule data, OpenStreetMap.
Before you bet
The honest math on track takeout, and the stakes worth planning around: Del Mar racing 2026 guide.
Race-day help
Lunch picked up before first post, sunscreen or a forgotten hat brought to the station: PJ does one-stop errands for $35 a stop in Solana Beach, Del Mar and Cardiff (things, not passengers). Text PJ. Around town: The Board.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
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Questions people ask
When is fall racing at Del Mar in 2026?
13 race days from Friday November 6 to Sunday November 29, per the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's calendar. Most days the gates open at 11 AM and first post is 12:30 PM.
Can I take the Coaster to the Del Mar racetrack?
The closest Coaster station is Solana Beach, about 1.4 miles from the racetrack in a straight line. Check NCTD for any race-day bus or shuttle service.
What are the biggest races of the fall meet?
The Grade I stakes: Sat Nov 28: Hollywood Derby (Gr. I); Sun Nov 29: Matriarch Stakes (Gr. I).
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
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