San Diego Bus Route 8: Old Town Transit Center to Balboa Avenue Transit Center
Old Town Transit Center ↔ Balboa Avenue Transit Center
📅 Editorial review: October 2026 | ℹ️ Independent planning guide — not affiliated with MTS | 🎯 Route 8 stops, fares & schedule overview
✅ Official MTS service in San Diego: Route 8 connects Old Town Transit Center with Balboa Avenue Transit Center. Buses run from 5:00 AM to 11:57 PM.
📋 Route 8 Essential Information
- Route: 8 — Old Town Transit Center ↔ Balboa Avenue Transit Center
- Operator: MTS (San Diego)
- Stops: 27 towards Balboa Avenue Transit Center; 27 towards Old Town Transit Center
- First departure: 5:00 AM | Last departure: 11:57 PM
- Service: Daily, including weekends
- Fare: Single-ride fare $ 3.00
📖 About Route 8
Route 8 links Old Town Transit Center and Balboa Avenue Transit Center. The stop list below is the complete, current MTS pattern, so you can plan boarding and getting off with confidence.
🚏 Route 8 Complete Stop List
Towards Balboa Avenue Transit Center (from Old Town Transit Center)
- Old Town Transit Center
- Rosecrans St & Kurtz St
- Sports Arena Bl & 3250
- Sports Arena Bl & Sports Arena Drwy
- Sports Arena Bl & Hancock St
- W Mission Bay Dr & Dana Landing Rd
- W Mission Bay Dr & Gleason Rd
- W Mission Bay Dr & Mission Bl
- Mission Bl & Santa Barbara Pl
- Mission Bl & San Luis Obispo Pl
- Mission Bl & El Carmel Pl
- Mission Bl & San Juan Pl
- Mission Bl & Santa Clara Pl
- Mission Bl & San Jose Pl
- Mission Bl & San Rafael Pl
- Mission Bl & Santa Rita Pl
- Mission Bl & Thomas Av
- Grand Av & Bayard St
- Grand Av & Cass St
- Grand Av & Fanuel St
- Grand Av & Ingraham St
- Balboa Av & Olney St
- Garnet Av & Fogg St
- Garnet Av & Soledad Mountain Rd
- Garnet Av & Bond St
- Garnet Av & Mission Bay Dr
- Balboa Avenue Transit Center
Towards Old Town Transit Center (from Balboa Avenue Transit Center)
- Balboa Avenue Transit Center
- Garnet Av & Mission Bay Dr
- Garnet Av & Bond St
- Garnet Av & Soledad Mountain Rd
- Balboa Av & Olney St
- Grand Av & Lamont St
- Grand Av & Ingraham St
- Grand Av & Everts St
- Grand Av & Cass St
- Grand Av & Bayard St
- Mission Bl & Thomas Av
- Mission Bl & Pacific Beach Dr
- Mission Bl & San Rafael Pl
- Mission Bl & San Jose Pl
- Mission Bl & Santa Clara Pl
- Mission Bl & San Juan Pl
- Mission Bl & El Carmel Pl
- Mission Bl & San Luis Obisbo Pl
- Mission Bl & Santa Barbara Pl
- W Mission Bay Dr & Mission Bl
- W Mission Bay Dr & Mariners Wy
- W Mission Bay Dr & Quivira Rd
- Sports Arena Bl & Midway Dr
- Sports Arena Bl & 3737
- Sports Arena Bl & 3505
- Sports Arena Bl & East Dr
- Old Town Transit Center
⏰ Route 8 Schedule & Service Hours
Scheduled departures from the terminal (MTS timetable via Transit, verified October 2026):
From Old Town Transit Center towards Balboa Avenue Transit Center
| Day | First departure | Last departure | Departures | Average interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 5:42 AM | 11:57 PM | 48 | ~25 min |
| Monday | 5:15 AM | 11:57 PM | 58 | ~20 min |
From Balboa Avenue Transit Center towards Old Town Transit Center
| Day | First departure | Last departure | Departures | Average interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 5:46 AM | 11:47 PM | 46 | ~25 min |
| Monday | 5:00 AM | 11:47 PM | 59 | ~20 min |
💵 Fare Information
The single-ride fare on MTS route 8 is $ 3.00 according to the current MTS fare data. Day passes and multi-day passes are usually better value if you ride more than twice — check the agency’s official site or app for the current pass range before you travel.
🗺️ Key Destinations on Route 8
- Mission Bl & Pacific Beach Dr — beach
🧭 How to Ride Route 8 — Step by Step
- Check the schedule below for your direction and get to the stop a few minutes early.
- Have your fare ready — pay on board or use the agency’s official app or card where accepted.
- Signal the driver as the bus approaches and board through the front door.
- Pull the stop-request cord or press the button before your stop and exit through the rear doors.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the first 8 bus leave?
The first scheduled departures from the terminals are at 5:15 AM from Old Town Transit Center and 5:00 AM from Balboa Avenue Transit Center.
What time is the last 8 bus?
The last scheduled departures are at 11:57 PM from Old Town Transit Center and 11:47 PM from Balboa Avenue Transit Center.
Does Route 8 run on weekends?
Yes — the current schedule shows departures every day, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Route and timetable data: MTS via Transit. Independently compiled by the BusUpdate editorial team; confirm time-sensitive details with MTS before travelling. Schedule verified October 2026.