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.
The cheap, no-parking way to SAN from Solana Beach: take the Coaster south to Old Town (about 30 minutes), then the free San Diego Flyer shuttle to the terminals. Per MTS, the Flyer runs 4:45am to 12:30am every 20-30 minutes, picks up on the east side of Old Town Transit Center near the depot building, drops at the Transportation Plaza across from baggage claim, and is timed to meet the first and last Coaster trains. It is for transit riders only, and there is no overnight parking at Old Town. From Santa Fe Depot downtown, MTS Route 992 reaches both terminals in about 15 minutes.
No FAA ground stops, delay programs or airline-affecting closures listed for SAN or Palomar as of 9:15am PT.
Coaster times: Solana Beach and Old Town
Today, Tuesday Oct 6
| To the airport: Solana Beach → Old Town | Home: Old Town → Solana Beach |
|---|---|
| 5:25am → 5:55am | 6:27am → 6:59am |
| 6:21am → 6:51am | 7:47am → 8:19am |
| 7:01am → 7:31am | 8:27am → 8:59am |
| 8:01am → 8:31am | 9:27am → 9:59am |
| 8:41am → 9:11am | 10:27am → 10:59am |
| 9:41am → 10:11am | 11:27am → 11:59am |
| 11:01am → 11:31am | 12:47pm → 1:19pm |
| 12:01pm → 12:31pm | 1:47pm → 2:19pm |
| 1:01pm → 1:31pm | 2:47pm → 3:19pm |
| 2:01pm → 2:31pm | 3:47pm → 4:19pm |
| 3:01pm → 3:31pm | 4:27pm → 4:59pm |
| 4:01pm → 4:31pm | 5:27pm → 5:59pm |
| 5:01pm → 5:31pm | 6:27pm → 6:59pm |
| 6:01pm → 6:31pm | 7:47pm → 8:19pm |
| 7:41pm → 8:11pm | 9:27pm → 9:59pm |
Tomorrow, Wednesday Oct 7
| To the airport: Solana Beach → Old Town | Home: Old Town → Solana Beach |
|---|---|
| 5:25am → 5:55am | 6:27am → 6:59am |
| 6:21am → 6:51am | 7:47am → 8:19am |
| 7:01am → 7:31am | 8:27am → 8:59am |
| 8:01am → 8:31am | 9:27am → 9:59am |
| 8:41am → 9:11am | 10:27am → 10:59am |
| 9:41am → 10:11am | 11:27am → 11:59am |
| 11:01am → 11:31am | 12:47pm → 1:19pm |
| 12:01pm → 12:31pm | 1:47pm → 2:19pm |
| 1:01pm → 1:31pm | 2:47pm → 3:19pm |
| 2:01pm → 2:31pm | 3:47pm → 4:19pm |
| 3:01pm → 3:31pm | 4:27pm → 4:59pm |
| 4:01pm → 4:31pm | 5:27pm → 5:59pm |
| 5:01pm → 5:31pm | 6:27pm → 6:59pm |
| 6:01pm → 6:31pm | 7:47pm → 8:19pm |
| 7:41pm → 8:11pm | 9:27pm → 9:59pm |
NCTD scheduled times; check NCTD for service alerts. Sources: NCTD schedule data, MTS airport page, FAA airport status.
Or fly from Carlsbad: McClellan-Palomar (CLD)
Per the County of San Diego, United has started service from Carlsbad to Denver and San Francisco, and American has started Carlsbad to Phoenix. JSX and Advanced Air also fly from Palomar. It is about 10 miles up the coast from Solana Beach. County airport page.
While you are away
Mail, a package, a return, plants: PJ handles one-stop errands for $35 a stop in Solana Beach, Del Mar and Cardiff (things, not passengers). Text PJ. Today around town: The Board.
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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
How do I get from Solana Beach to the San Diego airport without driving?
Take the Coaster south to Old Town, then the free San Diego Flyer shuttle to the terminals. MTS says the Flyer runs 4:45am to 12:30am every 20-30 minutes and is timed to meet the first and last Coaster trains.
Is the San Diego Flyer free?
Yes. MTS describes it as a free bus between Old Town Transit Center and the airport, for transit riders.
What airlines fly from Palomar Airport in Carlsbad?
Per the County of San Diego: United (to Denver and San Francisco), American (to Phoenix), JSX and Advanced Air.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
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