Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – Visitors attending the 2026 Marin County Fair from July 1-5 can leave their cars at home and take advantage of free bus rides, late-night SMART train service, and extended bicycle parking to and from the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael.
Free Bus Rides on Marin Transit
All Marin Transit fixed-route buses countywide will be free all five days of the fair. Additional buses and extended service hours will be in effect throughout the fair. The fairgrounds, located just off Civic Center Drive in San Rafael, are directly served by Routes 35 and 49; Routes 71 and 233 serve nearby stops. Marin Access Paratransit, Marin Access Shuttles, and the Muir Woods Shuttle service are not included in the free fare offer. Trips scheduled on Marin Access Paratransit will be available for free to passengers who have enrolled in advance to the Marin County Fair’s low-sensory carnival on July 2 at 10 AM. Those rides will be without strobing lights or music.
"Marin Transit is proud to support the Marin County Fair again with free fares and added service to get people safely home," said Robert Betts, Marin Transit General Manager. "We offer free rides for youth all summer long, so the fair is a great opportunity for first-time riders to discover transit before using it throughout the summer."
SMART’s Late-Night Service
Fair guests can ride the train directly to the fairgrounds at the SMART Marin Civic Center station[External]. In addition to the regular train schedule, SMART will add extra capacity and provide late-night departures after the fireworks. SMART’s schedule out of the Marin Civic Center for July 1–5 is as follows:
- Southbound (July 1–2): 8:57 PM, 9:29 PM, 10:10 PM
- Southbound (July 3–5): 8:42 PM, 9:14 PM, 10:10 PM
- Northbound (all five days): 10:00 PM, 10:40 PM
On July 3 and 4, SMART will operate on its holiday/weekend schedule. Check the SMART website for fares and schedule updates, as times are subject to change. Youth and seniors ride free every day on SMART.
"SMART is proud to partner with the Marin County Fair again to provide a safe, and stress-free way for families and visitors to enjoy one of Marin's favorite traditions," said Mary Sackett, Vice Chair of the SMART Board of Directors and a Marin County Supervisor. "Additional train capacity and late-night service after the fireworks makes it easier to leave the car behind and avoid traffic and parking challenges. We encourage you to make SMART part of your Fourth of July celebration."
Free Bike Parking
Free, extended bike parking will be available from 11 AM to 11 PM each day of the fair near the main gate in front of the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium.
“With Marin Transit free fares, late night SMART trains to accommodate those who wish to see fireworks, and free bike parking, visitors have many ways to get to the Marin County Fair,” said Steve Dow, Director of the Marin County Cultural Services Department, which plans and runs the fair. “We hope visitors will take advantage of the many transportation options available and leave the cars at home.”
Connections from San Francisco
For those traveling from San Francisco, Golden Gate Transit also offers stops at the San Rafael Bus Hub, which connects to Marin Transit lines 35 and 49.
Vehicle and motorcycle parking is $25 in all County parking lots and will be cashless. Visitors planning to park at the Marin County Fair should bring a credit or debit card.
Express Lane Entry
Once at the fairgrounds, visitors can use the express lane at the main entrance to move through security faster. To qualify, guests must carry a clear bag or no bag at all. Those with non-clear bags, backpacks, or similar items will go through the regular security line. The fair’s website includes the full bag policy and other know-before-you-go details.
For more fair information, check www.marinfair.org.
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For disability accommodation, please phone (415) 473-6400 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail County staff in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.
Photo provided by Marin Transit