Pick a neighborhood to see whether the trolley goes there, the easiest way to arrive, and what parking is like.
Little Italy
- Trolley
- Yes. County Center/Little Italy station is at the edge of the neighborhood.
- Getting there
- Take the trolley to County Center/Little Italy station and walk a few blocks to India Street.
- Parking
- Street meters and paid lots and garages. Spaces are hard to find on weekend evenings and during the Mercato, so arriving by trolley is easier.
MTS trip plannerCity of San Diego parkingLittle Italy Association
Gaslamp Quarter
- Trolley
- Yes. Gaslamp Quarter station is at the south end; 5th Avenue station is a few blocks north.
- Getting there
- The trolley is the simplest way in, especially on Padres game days and during conventions.
- Parking
- Street meters and many paid garages. Garage prices rise sharply for games and big events.
MTS trip plannerCity of San Diego parkingGaslamp Quarter Association
La Jolla
- Trolley
- Not to the coast. The trolley reaches UC San Diego and UTC, which are inland from the Village and the Cove.
- Getting there
- From the trolley you need a bus or a ride to reach the Village. Most visitors drive.
- Parking
- Street parking near the Cove has time limits and fills early on weekends and in summer. Paid garages are a short walk up in the Village.
Coronado
- Trolley
- No. Coronado has no trolley station.
- Getting there
- Take the Coronado Ferry from downtown, a bus over the bridge, or drive across the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.
- Parking
- Mostly street parking, with time limits near Orange Avenue and the beach. Coronado is a separate city with its own parking rules.
Balboa Park
- Trolley
- No station inside the park.
- Getting there
- Buses run from downtown along Park Boulevard on the park's east side.
- Parking
- Paid parking in park lots through 31 December 2026. Nonresidents: Level 1 lots $10 for up to four hours or $16 for the day; Level 2 lots $10 per day; Level 3 lot free for the first three hours, then $10 for the day. Verified City of San Diego residents pay $5 (four hours) or $8 (day) in Level 1 lots and park free in Level 2 and 3. The City Council has approved removing paid parking from 1 January 2027.
Ocean Beach
- Trolley
- No. Ocean Beach has no trolley station.
- Getting there
- Buses connect Ocean Beach with Old Town Transit Center, where you can change to the trolley.
- Parking
- Free public lots by the beach and street parking. Lots fill on sunny weekends and around sunset.
North Park
- Trolley
- No. North Park has no trolley station.
- Getting there
- Buses run from downtown to 30th Street and University Avenue.
- Parking
- Street meters on the main streets, a public parking garage near 30th and University, and free parking on residential side streets (read the signs).
Good to know
- The trolley is run by MTS (San Diego Metropolitan Transit System), which also runs the city buses. Fares are paid with the PRONTO app or card, or at station ticket machines. Check current fares on the MTS website.
- Coronado, Balboa Park, Ocean Beach and North Park have no trolley station. Use a bus, the Coronado ferry, or drive.
- Big events change everything. On Padres game days and during large conventions downtown, garages fill and prices rise; the trolley is usually the easier choice.
- Read every parking sign. Time limits, street-sweeping days and permit zones vary block by block.
FAQ
Does the trolley go to La Jolla?
It reaches UC San Diego and UTC, which are inland. To reach La Jolla Village or La Jolla Cove from there, you need a bus or a ride.
Does the trolley go to Coronado?
No. Take the Coronado ferry from downtown, a bus over the bridge, or drive.
Is parking free in Balboa Park?
Not until 2027. Paid parking in Balboa Park lots continues through 31 December 2026, and the City Council has approved removing it from 1 January 2027. Current rates are in the Balboa Park section above, checked on 14 November 2026.