Getting around San Diego from Berkshire Motor Hotel means combining MTS buses and the Trolley with driving or rideshare when that suits your plans. The San Diego motel on El Cajon Boulevard is at 2502 El Cajon Boulevard, and the routes below give you a starting point for reaching downtown, Old Town and Balboa Park.
- Mission Valley Center station is about a 5-minute drive from the motel.
- San Diego city centre is about an 8-minute drive from the motel.
- Balboa Park is about a 4-minute drive from the motel.
- San Diego International Airport is about a 13-minute drive from the motel.
Start with the hotel's location
The motel is on El Cajon Boulevard, with the travel times making a mix of transit and car journeys worth considering. Mission Valley Center station is about a 37-minute walk from the motel, while Rio Vista station is about a 34-minute walk; each is about a 5-minute drive away.
If you’re planning to fly in, San Diego International Airport is about an 82-minute walk from the motel, compared with about 13 minutes by car. For airport arrival options and the journey to the motel, see ways to get from San Diego International Airport to the hotel.
For Balboa Park, the journey is about 25 minutes on foot from the motel or about 4 minutes by car. The park is a reference point for planning a day, and the route and service information below can help you choose transit connections that fit your plans.
San Diego buses and Trolley basics
MTS buses and the Trolley provide connections across San Diego, with route choices depending on where you’re headed. MTS connects Downtown San Diego and North Park on Route 2, Fashion Valley and North Park on Route 6, and Downtown San Diego and University & College on Route 7.
Route 2 runs every 15 minutes or better during weekday base hours; that frequency does not apply to every hour or day.
MTS adult one-way bus or Trolley fares are $3, and reduced fares are $1.50. Valid identification is required for senior, disabled, Medicare and youth reduced fares. A one-way fare paid through PRONTO includes unlimited transfers for two hours; cash one-way fares do not include transfers, and buses require exact fare.
The adult standard one-day pass costs $7, and the reduced one-day pass costs $3.50. Day passes aren’t sold on buses. PRONTO fare capping can earn a day pass after enough eligible rides, so consider how many trips you expect to make before choosing how to pay.
Up to two children age 5 and under may ride free with a paying passenger on MTS and NCTD routes. On Saturdays and Sundays, up to two children age 12 and under may ride free on MTS routes with a fare-paying adult age 18 or older. MTS buses on all routes are accessible via lift or ramp.
Before you go, check the official site before you go: MTS provides route maps, PDF schedules, real-time departures and a trip planner, and advises checking alerts and detours for service changes.
Reaching downtown and the waterfront
MTS connections can help you plan a trip toward downtown or the waterfront, but confirm the route and transfer details for your destination. Route 83 runs between Old Town and Downtown San Diego, Route 120 connects Kearny Mesa Transit Center with downtown, and Route 11 runs between SDSU and downtown.
Old Town Transit Center connects buses with the Green Line Trolley, COASTER and Amtrak services. Route 88 runs as a loop between Old Town Transit Center and Hotel Circle via Taylor Street, with destinations including Hotel Circle, Old Town State Historical Park and Presidio Park.
Route 30 connects Old Town Transit Center with UTC Transit Center via Pacific Beach, La Jolla and UC San Diego.
For a visit to Old Town, you can use these transit connections as part of your route planning; the Old Town San Diego visitor guide covers getting there and planning a visit.
When driving or rideshare is practical
Driving can make sense when you want a direct journey or are travelling to several places in one day. San Diego city centre is about a 74-minute walk from the motel or about an 8-minute drive. The drive to Balboa Park takes about 4 minutes, compared with about 25 minutes on foot.
For an airport trip, the drive from the motel to San Diego International Airport takes about 13 minutes. These are travel-time figures, not a promise about a particular departure; allow for your own route and conditions when making plans. No rideshare fare or pickup details are included.
Planning a day around Balboa Park
Balboa Park’s sights can shape a day’s itinerary, so decide which stops matter to you before choosing how to get there. The San Diego Zoo is about a 6-minute drive from the motel, while the Spanish Village Art Center and Moreton Bay Fig Tree are each about a 6-minute drive from the motel.
The San Diego Natural History Museum is about a 6-minute drive from the motel. The San Diego Museum of Art and Timken Museum of Art each take about 7 minutes to reach by car, as does Marston House. The practical Balboa Park visit guide covers planning an outing there.
The Balboa Park Miniature Railroad Station is about a 7-minute drive from the motel. Check the current operating details for any attraction you plan to visit before setting out.
FAQs
How much is a San Diego bus or Trolley fare?
An adult one-way fare is $3 and a reduced fare is $1.50, with valid identification required for reduced fares. PRONTO-paid one-way fares include unlimited transfers for two hours; cash fares don’t.
Can children ride MTS for free?
Up to two children age 5 and under may ride free with a paying passenger on MTS and NCTD routes. On Saturdays and Sundays, up to two children age 12 and under may ride free on MTS routes with a fare-paying adult age 18 or older.
Where can you check San Diego transit routes and service updates?
MTS provides route maps, schedules, real-time departures and a trip planner. Check its alerts and detours for service changes before travelling.