San Rafael, CA – After a successful run for the past few summers, the Marin County Fair is continuing its hassle-free and money-saving transportation option: a shuttle service from a nearby County of Marin parking lot.
Fair organizers encourage the use of public transportation to ease traffic congestion in the area near the fairgrounds. The 77
th Marin County Fair starts Saturday, June 30, and runs through the Fourth of July at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael. Fairgoers are encouraged to avoid traffic near the fairgrounds in San Rafael by parking vehicles at the Marin Commons parking lot at 1600 Los Gamos Drive in San Rafael and hopping on the shuttle.
Marin Commons is on the west side of Highway 101 at the Lucas Valley Road/Smith Ranch Road exit, two miles north of the fairgrounds. Los Gamos Drive is a frontage road adjacent to the highway, providing easy parking access for the fairgoers as well as for the bus drivers. Marin Commons is known locally as the home of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office and employees from some other County departments.
Parking at the fairgrounds is $20, but parking at Marin Commons is free and taking the shuttle is only $2 round-trip. Kids 4 and under ride for free.
From the bus stop at Marin Commons’ Lobby B, shuttles will run about every 20 minutes to the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. all five days of the fair. Shuttle users can expect delays after the fireworks, which are scheduled each night for 9:30 p.m.
Fair guests also can ride Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit buses and the SMART train. SMART riders will be dropped off on Civic Center Drive, a few steps from the fair’s main gate. And don’t forget: You can ride your bike to the fair and park in the bike valet parking area near the main gate. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition offers the bike valet service for free from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on fair days.
For more fair information, check www.marinfair.org.