The streets of Hillcrest will be vibrant with the annual San Diego Pride Parade and Festival, expected to draw over 250,000 spectators on Saturday. The celebration, recognized as the region's most attended one-day event, is set to fill the neighborhood with energy, inclusivity, and an array of dazzling floats.
With Hillcrest gearing up for a full day of festivities, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is stepping in to ease the inevitable transportation hiccup, advising attendees to skip the parking headache and opt for public transit. They've made it especially convenient to access the parade grounds, with bus routes like Rapid 215 delivering service within a breezy three-block walk to the parade's kick-off at University Avenue and Park Boulevard. Routes 1, 3, 10, 11, and 120 will all serve parade-goers, with the latter two also ferrying festival fans right to the heart of the jubilation.
However, the flow of buses will not be without its temporary reroutes. Due to multiple road closures around Hillcrest on parade day, buses on routes 1, 10, 11, and 120 will be detoured from the early hours of 6:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Attendees looking for detailed detour information can find it on the Metropolitan Transit System San Diego.
Embracing the spirit of the occasion, MTS's "Ride with Pride" bus will be seen among the parade lineup, a symbol of the transport system's solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. As part of their involvement, MTS personnel will engage with onlookers to promote an environment of inclusivity – a principle at the heart of the annual celebration. For swift and seamless service on the day, the public can utilize the PRONTO app, ensuring each person's virtual fare card is preloaded to ensure a brisk boarding process. It's important to note that each rider must have their PRONTO app or card ready since purchasing multiple fares on a single device isn't an option. Plus, the youth in our community aged 18 and under can enjoy the perks of a free ride with a registered Youth PRONTO card or app account, fostering an accessible atmosphere for families and youths.
