A COASTER train at the Oceanside Transit Center, where every Holiday Express trip begins. Photo: Edwang2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The COASTER Holiday Express is back for four weekend days in December, with Santa, carolers and an hourlong round trip from Oceanside to Solana Beach. North County Transit District put tickets on sale Nov. 13, and they cost $35 each.
The train runs Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13, with four departures each day at 10:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to NCTD’s Holiday Express page. Every trip leaves from Platform 1 at the Oceanside Transit Center, 235 S. Tremont St., runs to the Solana Beach Station and comes back without stopping.
Seats were going quickly. By Saturday morning several cars were already partly booked, Times of San Diego reported, so families hoping for a particular date should not wait.
What the ticket covers
- Price: $35 per person, with a limit of six tickets per transaction.
- Kids: children 2 and under ride free on an adult’s lap. Car seats are not allowed on board. NCTD recommends the ride for children ages 3 to 10.
- Seating: assigned by car. NCTD warns that large groups may not be able to sit together or switch cars.
- Accessibility: guests who use a mobility device can buy tickets in Car 1, lower level.
- Refunds: none. All sales are final, and the train runs rain or shine.
On board, carolers and holiday characters visit each car, sing, read a book and hand out wish lists for Santa. Back at Oceanside, a mailbox will be set up for children to drop off their lists.
Before you go
Parking at the Oceanside Transit Center is free. Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure, and NCTD says the trains leave on time and cannot wait for latecomers. Follow the signs to Platform 1 and find the line number that matches the car on your ticket.
Strollers, car seats, bikes, food and drinks are not allowed on board, though water and small snacks are permitted. Tickets and a “know before you go” message will be texted or emailed the day before or the morning of the ride.
Bring a can
The ride doubles as a food drive. NCTD is teaming with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and asks riders to bring nonperishable canned food to a donation bin on Platform 1. There is also an online drive. NCTD says $1 can help provide two meals, and the top donor in each time slot will receive a 20th anniversary Holiday Express keepsake, announced 10 minutes before boarding.
For riders who use transit the rest of the year, our guides cover riding the Trolley and the MTS fare increase that took effect Oct. 1. More neighborhood news is in our Community section.
Tickets are sold by time slot on NCTD’s Holiday Express page. Questions, including about ticket purchases, go to marketing@nctd.org.
