San Diego County Fair in Del Mar: What You Need to Know

Summer at the San Diego County Fair means carnival rides, fascinating exhibits, taking in the ocean air and of course, gobbling up delectable fair food. It’s all up for grabs at the Del Mar Fairgrounds beginning Wednesday.

Where to start? Let us share the basics, from admission and parking, to concerts and special events to enjoy during the fair’s four weeks.

Theme

“Let’s Go Retro” includes fairgoers, who are urged to share snapshots from the 1950s through the 1990s that capture the trendiest fashions and fads, hangouts and even outings at the fair, known as the Del Mar Fair from 1984-2002. There will be a winning photo from each decade and a “Let’s Go Retro” exhibit on display.

Days and hours

The fair starts Wednesday and continues through July 7. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except Mondays and Tuesdays when the fair is closed.

Admission

Listed prices require advance purchase. Price goes up $4 or more on the day of the event; purchase on-site is cashless.

• Wednesdays, Thursdays (excluding July 4): adults (13 and up) $16; seniors (62+) and youth (6-12) $13; children 5 and under, free.
• Fridays: adults $20; seniors $17; youth and children 5 and under, free
• Saturdays, Sundays and July 4: adults $20; seniors and youth $17; children 5 and under, free.

Parking

• General: $20; $15 if paid online in advance.
• Preferred: $50
• Horsepark (off-site): $10
• Canyon Crest Academy, 5951 Village Center Loop Road: Free, with shuttles to fair

Purchase fair parking online. Fair Tripper tickets also are available from the North County Transit District and the Metropolitan Transit System ranging from $16-20, depending on the day, with discounts for seniors and youth.

Discounts

Check out the fair’s Tickets & Deals page for admission, parking and ride discounts. For instance, promo codes are available at select stores, including Vons, Albertsons, Northgate Markets, 7-Eleven and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Wednesdays and most Thursdays are Pay-One-Price Ride Days. Fridays are Kids Day, when those under 12 are admitted free.

Toyota Summer Concert Series

All grandstand tickets include same-day fair admission. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Here’s a selection of scheduled acts and prices for remaining tickets:

• Wednesday – Kolohe Kai; $55 and up.
• Friday – TLC; $45 and up
• June 16 – Pepe Aguilar: $60 and up.
• June 21 – Kings of Late Night with Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall, Craig Ferguson; $50 and up.
• June 26 – Smokey Robinson; $45 and up.
• June 27 – Little Big Town; $55 and up.
• June 28 – Ludacris; $40 and up.
• June 30 – Los Tucanes de Tijuana; $45 and up.
• July 3 – Yung Gravy and Tayler Holder; $40 and up.
• July 4 – Fireworks Spectacular; 9 p.m.; free, general admission; $20-$25, reserved deats.
• July 7 – Hombres G; $50 and up.

Chevrolet Paddock Concert Series

cover bands playing your faves during the fair’s run, with most shows beginning at 8 p.m., and 4 p.m. matinees on Fridays too. Performers salute everyone from Guns N’ Roses and Billy Joel to Elton John and the Spice Girls. There are nights set aide for boy bands and 50s and 60s hits. Attendance is included in the price of fair admission.

Festivals and special events

• Saturdays at the Sound: Weekly “glow-in-the-dark musical experience;” $30 ticket includes fair admission.
• June 15 – Asian & Pacific Islander Festival
• June 22 – Out at the Fair
• June 29 – Gospel Day
• June 30 – inaugural Native American Powwow

Fair food

The fair boasts scores of food vendors, serving up everything from funnel cakes and hot dogs to overstuffed delights that only can be found on the fairgrounds.

Fair-tastic Foods Competition on June 14 in which some of the fair’s most popular vendors have entered new sweet and savory concoctions, shooting for a win in three categories.

Here’s some of the eye-popping 2024 finalists in the New, Wow! and theme categories:

• Disco Pop Shake – Grape soda and vanilla ice cream, swirled with whipped cream and grape Pop Rocks.
• Spam fries – Spam sliced into fry-like shapes and deep fried, presented within a Spam can, with choice of sauces, including sweet Thai chili, spicy mayo and teriyaki.
• Cali Dog – spicy sausage topped with french fries, guacamole, sour cream and hot Cheeto crumbles.
• Le Crookie – a croissant, filled and topped with made-from-scratch cookie dough.
• Funnel Cake Dog – giant hot dog battered in funnel cake, topped with maple syrup and powdered sugar.
• French Toast Stick Sundae – French toast sticks serve surround a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzled with warm maple syrup and whipped cream.
• Cap’n Crunch Berry Chicken Sandwich – Double-battered fried chicken dipped in honey raspberry glaze, topped with crushed Cap’n Crunch Berry cereal. Served on a brioche bun encrusted with extra Cap’n Crunch.
• Barbalicious Float – soda float topped with whipped cream, sprinkles and cotton candy, garnished with a lollipop; for Barbie and Ken fans, it comes with bubble-gum pink or ocean-water blue soda.

Fair competitions, featured events

Various exhibits give ribbon winners from throughout the county their chance to shine – not to mention participating wineries and craft breweries. The lineup includes:

• Design in Wood and gems, minerals and jewelry, Mission Tower
• Fine Art, photography Grandstand East
• Paul Ecke Jr. Flower Show, O’Brien Hall
• Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show
• Home Made, Exhibit Hall
• The Farm, with livestock, agriculture, Family Funville
• Beer talks – Craft Beer Experience
• Wine tastings – O’Brien Hall

For even more, scan the full calendar to plan for your best fair day.