The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights 2025 Guide

Downtown San Diego Fred Electric Shuttle

Nobody wants to struggle to get to this amazing event, so take a look at these helpful tips to make your visit to see the boat parade stress-free.

Where are the Best Places to Park?

It’s no secret that parking will be limited with so many visitors expected to attend. Here are some options:

• Free parking at Harbor Island and Shelter Island
• Metered spaces along Harbor Drive and in the parking lot in front of Fish Market restaurant north of Seaport Village
• Paid parking at Seaport Village and Allright Parking at Broadway & Harbor Drive

As a local tip, you could park in Downtown San Diego and use the FRED electric shuttle service to get to the Embarcadero area. Fares cost $2.50 per person with a maximum of $5 per group so it’s very affordable! You could also park and then use the San Diego Pedicab service to get to the Embarcadero area. Fares cost about $1 per minute.

What are My Public Transportation Options?

I’d recommend the San Diego Trolley service which will get you within a short walk of Harbor Drive. I know our founder Todd raves about how easy it is to use every time he goes near the San Diego Bay, especially to events at PETCO Park.

The UC San Diego Blue Line or Green Line to Santa Fe Depot, or the Orange Line to Courthouse Station, are good options on the Trolley. Be sure to load money onto a PRONTO card or use the app to save time.

FREE Public Transportation for Kids

It’s good to know that on Saturdays and Sundays through the ‘Family Weekends’ program, two children (age 12 and under) can ride the San Diego Trolley for free with a fare-paying adult. This program does not require kids to have a PRONTO card.

Another option I think many visitors and locals don’t know about is the Youth Opportunity Pass (YOP) program. This one allows for anyone 18 and under to ride for FREE 7 days a week not only on the San Diego Trolley but also on the San Diego Public Buses, and North County Transit District (NCTD) COASTER and SPRINTER. All kids need is a Youth PRONTO app account, or a Youth PRONTO card.

Since the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a seasonal event that only takes place two days a year, you’ll want to be prepared. Below are a couple tips that should help you make the most of your experience.

Discover the Embarcadero Boardwalk

Where is the Best Place to Watch the Boat Parade?

With so many choices for viewing, the first thing you’ll want to do is decide where along the route would be the most convenient. The north and south ends of the Embarcadero are great options, as well as the pathway along Coronado. People tell me these are less crowded.

And a tip from a local - the park behind Seaport Village and the new pier at Cesar Chavez Park are both premium viewing locations.

One more thing to know is that if you want to watch the parade from Harbor Island by the San Diego International Airport, it’s been my experience that parking is limited, so I suggest that you arrive early.

Enjoying the Outdoor Lounge at the Intercontinential San Diego

A Bonus Viewing Tip

If you want to learn a bit about the boats in the parade, I recommend watching from near the announcers’ areas located at the Maritime Museum on the Embarcadero and at Coronado Landing.

I think rather than just watching, getting to learn about the boats is a really fun bonus, and also adds a lot to the experience for kids. The announcers will talk about the history of the boat and describe each one as it passes by.

Sunset at the Embarcadero Marina Park

Watching From the Bay

If you’re a part of the boating community and want to watch the parade from the water, it can get tricky because the decorations are generally on the port side of the boats.

There aren’t many spots where you can park your boat and see the port side of the boats in the parade. Plus, the parade route is restricted to the participating boats, so what I’m saying is that if you’re not participating, it might be best to watch from the land.

Personally, I can’t wait to see photos and videos of this holiday boat parade with the reflections on the water, and the crowds along the waterfront. The Parade of Lights truly captures that coastal San Diego holiday vibe that you just can’t get anywhere else.