NASCAR San Diego Ferry FAQs: Schedules, Tickets & Getting to the Race

San Diego/Coronado Ferry at the Coronado landing at sunset .

June 15, 2026 | Posted in Gatherings

Planning to attend NASCAR San Diego at Naval Base Coronado? Skip the traffic and parking hassles and let the Flagship Ferry be part of your race day adventure.

We've received lots of questions from race fans about ferry schedules, tickets, capacity, and getting from the ferry to the track. Here's everything you need to know before race weekend.

Will Flagship Ferry have a special schedule for NASCAR weekend?

Yes! To help fans get to the track before the gates open, we're adding early morning departures on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21.

Early Morning Departures

From Broadway Pier	From San Diego Convention Center
-	7:55 a.m.
8:00 a.m.	8:25 a.m.
-	8:55 a.m.

After these early departures, the ferry returns to its regular weekend schedule.

Friday, June 19 will operate on the normal weekday commuter schedule. Although Juneteenth is an observed holiday, the Flagship Ferry will operate its regular weekday service.

Which ferry terminal should I use?

You can depart from either of our downtown San Diego terminals:

Both routes arrive at Coronado Ferry Landing, the closest public ferry terminal for fans attending NASCAR San Diego.

Choose the departure location that's most convenient for where you're staying or parking.

Does the ferry go directly to the NASCAR entrance?

No. The ferry arrives at Coronado Ferry Landing, where you'll begin a scenic walk to the event.

From the ferry landing, it's a little over a mile, about a 20–25 minute walk, to the Yellow Carrier Gate, the required pedestrian/cyclist entrance for NASCAR San Diego.

The walk follows 1st Street through one of Coronado's most charming neighborhoods, passing historic homes and beautiful waterfront scenery before arriving at the race.

Please note that there is no shuttle service between the ferry landing and the event entrance.

Can I reserve a specific ferry departure?

No. The Coronado Ferry does not offer reservations for specific departure times.

We recommend arriving early for your preferred sailing, especially during NASCAR weekend.

There are two departure locations in downtown San Diego:

Each route operates on its own schedule, with departures from Broadway Pier every hour, and from Convention Center every 30 minutes. If one departure is full, you may have the option to catch the next sailing from that terminal—or, if time allows, walk to the other terminal. The two downtown terminals are about 1.3 miles apart, roughly a 30-minute walk, along San Diego's scenic waterfront, passing the USS Midway Museum, Seaport Village, and the Convention Center.

Returning from Coronado, ferries also depart approximately every 30 minutes, alternating between Broadway Pier and the Convention Center. Be sure to check the schedule and board the ferry returning to the downtown terminal that's most convenient for your plans.

Should I buy my ferry tickets in advance?

Yes. Purchasing your tickets online before race day can help save time at the terminal.

Please note that all ferry tickets are one-way. If you're planning to take the ferry to Coronado and return to San Diego after the race, each passenger will need two tickets—one for each direction of travel.

Can I purchase tickets for my whole group?

Yes. One person can purchase tickets for up to 19 passengers in a single transaction.

If your group is larger than 19 people, please call (619) 234-4111, and our team will be happy to assist you.

Will the ferries sell out?

NASCAR weekend is expected to be one of our busiest weekends of the year, and we'll be closely monitoring passenger demand throughout the event.

We recommend arriving early for your preferred departure, particularly if you're hoping to catch one of the first morning sailings.

Our departure schedule will remain the same throughout the weekend, but we're prepared to substitute larger vessels on scheduled departures if additional capacity is needed.

Make the Ferry Part of Your Race Day

Why spend race day sitting in traffic or searching for parking when you can cruise across San Diego Bay instead?

Whether you're visiting from out of town or you're a local looking for an easier way to get to the race, the Flagship Ferry offers a relaxing, scenic start to your NASCAR experience. Enjoy incredible views of the San Diego skyline, avoid the congestion around Naval Base Coronado, and arrive ready for a full day of racing.

We'll see you on board—and at the races!