The timing aligns with Santa Monica’s efforts to manage increased traffic and parking demand as the city hosts major World Cup fan events, including the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club on the Pier and activations on the Third Street Promenade.
As Santa Monica gears up for a major influx of visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Los Angeles County has restarted its popular Beach Bus program to provide affordable, car-free access to the city’s beaches this summer.
The seasonal service, which runs through Labor Day on Sept. 7, offers round-trip rides from inland communities to Santa Monica Beach, helping to ease expected traffic congestion during the tournament.
Routes from the Antelope Valley (Palmdale and Lancaster) operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Buses depart Lancaster at 8:30 a.m. and Palmdale at 9 a.m., arriving near the Santa Monica Pier around 10:50 a.m. Return trips leave Santa Monica at 3 p.m.
Fares are $6 round-trip for adults and children, and $2 for seniors 60 and older and people with disabilities. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Additional routes serve Altadena, Castaic/West Ranch, Charter Oak/Duarte, East Los Angeles and La Crescenta/La Cañada Flintridge on varying schedules and at lower fares.
The timing aligns with Santa Monica’s efforts to manage increased traffic and parking demand as the city hosts major World Cup fan events, including the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club on the Pier and activations on the Third Street Promenade. City officials are encouraging visitors to use Big Blue Bus, the Metro E Line, biking, walking and shared scooters instead of driving.
Big Blue Bus is also offering special direct service from Downtown Santa Monica to World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office highlighted the Beach Bus as a way for inland families, particularly in hotter desert areas, to access the coast affordably without adding to regional traffic.
More information on the Beach Bus is available at LAGoBus.com.
