Carlsbad Electric Shuttle

The Carlsbad Good Ride shuttle is an on-demand, eco-friendly service created to bring visitors & locals to top area attractions, dining, shopping & more!
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Carlsbad Shuttle
Eco-conscious City
Places You Can Go
Bundle & Save
What Can You Expect
Best Time to Use It
Good Ride Cost
Know Before Your Ride
Stay Nearby

Highlights

Where You Can Go
Best Time to Use
Cost
Tips
Where You Can Go
Best Time to Use
Cost
Tips

Getting Around Carlsbad Has Never Been Easier - or More Efficient!

Back of the Electric Shuttle - PB Beach BugClose up of Flowers at the Flower Fields

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a city known for being eco-conscious is in want of eco-conscious transport. Carlsbad Good Ride is just that!

Visitors now have access to this price conscious, energy efficient alternative to getting around the neighborhood.

Visiting Carlsbad’s nearby popular destinations like north county’s Carlsbad Village, LEGOLAND California, and the many Carlsbad beaches has never been easier!

For Circuit, the team behind San Diego’s electric shuttles, the goal is simple - to make travel across the city easy! They want visitors and locals alike to not have to rely on ridesharing options, car rentals, or even their own vehicles to get around select neighborhoods.

The team is coming on strong! So far, Downtown San Diego has the FRED, Oceanside has the gO’side and Pacific Beach has the Beach Bug.

Ride requests are available just at your fingertips so you can go straight from your home-away-from-home to your destination or public transportation hub.

That’s zero worrying about parking or getting stuck driving through traffic. Just sit back and enjoy the ride on one of Carlsbad’s electric shuttles!

Bungalow at Ocean Palms Beach Resort in Carlsbad
Bungalow at Ocean Palms Beach Resort in Carlsbad

From Your Door to Your Destination

Carlsbad is 39 square miles filled with hotels and properties available for rent for visitors on vacation and on mini stays.

Guests can request Good Ride to pick them up directly from their lodging and take them anywhere across the neighborhood.

Swimming at Terramar Beach
Swimming at Terramar Beach

If It’s Free, It’s For Me

Just imagine leaving your Terramar Beach hotel and heading toward one of the trendy new restaurants in Carlsbad.

Yup - it’s true! Just call a Good Ride - it’s free!

I know it sounds too good to be true and as a longtime local I can say that it really is an incredible service in Carlsbad. All you have to do is download the app, select your destination, wait for your pickup, and you’re all set!

It’s really that simple!

Local Tips
Hop On Carlsbad's Free Electric Shuttles
Visiting Carlsbad Village? Use the free electric shuttle service to get around—simply request a ride via the app and skip the parking hassle.

The Places You Can Go with Good Ride

The fleet promises to take riders to key spots across Carlsbad and to transportation hubs in the area.

Books for Sale at the Museum of Making Music
Books for Sale at the Museum of Making Music

A Few of My Favorite Carlsbad Attractions

Carlsbad is the perfect place for families with plenty of activities and attractions sure to please everyone from 1 to 100. The Good Ride Shuttles are standing by to take you to them all.

From the fun, hands-on Museum of Making Music to the vibrant Carlsbad Flower Fields to the fabulous Carlsbad Aquafarm, options are plentiful.

If you like to shop, the Carlsbad Premium Outlets are the perfect stopover on your way downtown. Carlsbad Village is another north county destination you won’t want to miss.

Lego Ninjago Weekends Sign at Legoland California
Lego Ninjago Weekends Sign at Legoland California

LEGOLAND California Parks

If you’re looking for something fun for your young kids, LEGOLAND California is a place the Good Ride would love to take you and your family!

Control the elements on The LEGO NINJAGO Ride.

Ready, aim, and blast away on The Lost Kingdom Adventure or raise your arms and keep them up as you soar on The Dragon coaster.

If LEGOLAND is on your list, all you have to do is request a pickup from your hotel.

Visit LEGOLAND California at a Discounted Price

The best way to get the most out of your LEGOLAND visit is with a Go City San Diego All-Inclusive pass.

Not only are your tickets to LEGOLAND California covered, but you can also experience over 50 San Diego attractions, museums, and more with the pass.

The savings don’t stop there. Use our exclusive discount code - GVSD5OFF, to save on each of your Go San Diego All-Inclusive passes.

Hanging Out on Tamarack Surf Beach
Hanging Out on Tamarack Surf Beach

Fun in the Sun

There’s no shortage of outdoor fun in Carlsbad and the Good Ride can take you where you want to go.

If the sound of crashing waves and the feel of sand underfoot are calling your name, then I would recommend Carlsbad City Beach if you want to go for a swim or Warm Water Jetty Beach if surfing is more your style.

Carlsbad also has several golf courses that can make for a fun day in the incredible San Diego weather.

Bundle and SAVE!
Kids looking at knight at LEGOLAND California
Visit LEGOLAND California!
Create family memories at LEGOLAND California! Admission is included with your All-Inclusive Go City pass - enjoy over 60 rides and attractions! Bundle admission with Birch Aquarium at Scripps or the Safari Park for the ultimate day of savings!
Buy Now
Local Tips
What attractions are included with a Go City San Diego pass?

Attractions that you can visit with a Go City San Diego pass include:

The San Diego Zoo, Birch Aquarium, SeaWorld, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, Harbor Cruise, USS Midway Museum, the NAT Museum, Whaley House, PETCO Park Tour, iFLY San Diego and many, many more!

Want to save more? Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

What Can You Expect with Carlsbad Good Ride

Having a Beer at Pizza Port Brewery in Carlsbad
Having a Beer at Pizza Port Brewery in Carlsbad

Whether your plans take you to family friendly places or a brewery for date night, there’s plenty to do and see. Carlsbad Good Ride will take you there.

Inside the Circuit Electric Shuttles
Inside the Circuit Electric Shuttles

How to Ride?

Requesting a ride is easy! Riders just have to download the Ride Circuit app in the Apple Store or the Google Play Store.

Just sign up, choose Carlsbad under locations, select your destination, and request!

Don’t have access to a smart phone or the mobile app? Don’t worry! Visitors staying in resorts or hotels can have a concierge call Circuit on your behalf.

Family and Group Friendly Rides

The Carlsbad Good Ride fleet offers both ten-passenger vans and five-passenger sedans, so everyone in your group is covered.

Safety first!

Good Ride follows California’s state requirements regarding child passenger laws.

Seat belts are required for children over 49 inches. Children smaller than 49 inches must have a car seat or booster seat that is supplied by their guardian.

Inside Back of the Circuit Electric Shuttles
Inside Back of the Circuit Electric Shuttles

Are Rides Private?

The shuttles work similar to an Uber Pool.

While on your journey, other riders may request a ride and join yours. And vice versa.

Pets

Pets are allowed - but only at the discretion of the driver and any other potential riders.

If the driver allows your pets, please follow Circuit’s pet etiquette below:

  • Do not let your pets sit on the seats
  • Pets must sit on either your lap or on the floor
  • Pets must remain inside the safety of the shuttle

Accessibility

A wheel-accessible ride is available for persons with disabilities.

Request an accessible ride through the app.

New Ride, Be Patient

Carlsbad Good Ride is currently in a pilot program. Be aware there could be kinks along the way as the program continues to roll out.

As the fleet is still small, delays are possible.

Cargo

Good Ride was designed for short local rides.

While that means there is no space for your surfboard, smaller cargo, like your boogie board, can be accommodated.

Popular Hotels
Popular Hotels
Price
Homewood Suites by Hilton Carlsbad
$143
Learn More
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Carlsbad
$161
Learn More
Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach
$164
Learn More
LEGOLAND California Resort
$249
Learn More

When is the Best Time to Use a Good Ride?

The Sun Setting in the Carlsbad Village
The Sun Setting in the Carlsbad Village

Both the summer and holiday seasons see a surge of visitors in the Carlsbad area.

While Circuit and Good Ride promises a ride within 8 - 15 minutes, peak seasons may make waits longer. Rush hour may also add to wait times.

Personally, I think this fleet is the perfect alternative to ride sharing options and renting a car. When you want to sit back and relax to get around the neighborhood, I think that is the best time to ride!

Featured Hotel
Beach Terrace Inn
Chairs on the terrace Beach Terrace Inn
Beachfront
Beachfront
Boardwalk
Boardwalk
Families
Families
3 Stars3 Stars3 Stars
Take it easy in Carlsbad when you stay at Beach Terrace Inn. This boutique hotel has a retro mid-century modern feel with spacious rooms and it is right on the beach.
Prices Starting at $299
Check Availability

How Much Does Good Ride Cost?

The shuttle service is free to ride!

The 1 year pilot program is being funded by a grant from the Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District and promoted by the Visit Carlsbad board to help visitors get around easily while reducing emissions and traffic.

The Village Corner in Carlsbad
The Village Corner in Carlsbad

Tipping

Tipping your driver is neither expected nor required. It is however appreciated if you enjoyed your ride and want to thank your driver.

What to Know Before Your Ride

No Alcohol
No Alcohol

The shuttle service is currently running on a fall/spring schedule that will soon change.

From September 1st to March 31st, the shuttle will run:

  • Wednesday - Sunday: 10AM–8PM

From April 1st to August 30th, the shuttle will run:

  • Monday - Sunday: 10AM–10PM

Hours may change throughout the year, based on rider demands.

Pool Side Rooms and Beach Front Pool at the Beach Terrace Inn
Pool Side Rooms and Beach Front Pool at the Beach Terrace Inn

Where Should You Stay?

I would recommend the Beach Terrace Inn for your next trip to Carlsbad. It’s located directly on the beach and the location is superb.

This boutique hotel is family-owned and delivers big on Southern California hospitality.

The Beach Terrace Inn is approximately 10 minutes or so from LEGOLAND California and just a few minutes’ walk to Carlsbad Village.

While the electric shuttles only travel inside Carlsbad, it’s good to know that from the hotel, it make take you about 45 minutes with a rideshare or rental car to get to the San Diego International Airport (SAN), and a touch more time to arrive in Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park or the Gaslamp Quarter.

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Stay Nearby

Homewood Suites by Hilton Carlsbad
Near Legoland
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
Homewood Suites by Hilton Carlsbad
from $143 / night
View Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Carlsbad
Near Legoland
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Carlsbad
from $161 / night
View Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach
Near Legoland
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach
from $164 / night
View Hotel
LEGOLAND California Resort
Near Legoland
3 Star Rating3 Star Rating3 Star Rating
LEGOLAND California Resort
from $249 / night
View Hotel
Show more San Diego Hotels >>
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