The San Diego County Fair is one of the region's most important events and in 2024, it is being organized as a unique celebration that will transform it into a journey through time with a "Let's Go Retro" theme. That's right, if you're fan of the 1950s to the 1990s, this celebration is definitely for you.

The San Diego County Fair will take place from June 12 to July 7, and it will close on Mondays and Tuesdays. It will be open from 11 AM to 10 PM.

Tickets can be purchased online on its official website. Prices vary depending on the day, between 13 to 20 dollars.

In this amazing fair you will be able to enjoy a great variety of shows and live entertainment such as concerts and competitions. For those who love thrills and excitement, there will be roller coasters and fair games where you can win amazing prizes in ring tossing competitions and skill games. Regarding gastronomy, you will find delicious food stands and, of course, extraordinary drinks. So that you don't miss a single thing, here's a guide where you will discover everything that the 2024 San Diego County Fair has to offer.

What to do at the San Diego County Fair?

This fair not only offers food, but also an attractive opportunity to have some memorable moments with your loved ones while enjoying several different activities. Though some attractions are for adults, you will also find others created so that children can have a fun and unforgettable experience.

Animal Show

Enjoy charming events that include shows with adorable animals such as the Charity Fair Horse Show. This show includes American Saddlebred horses, Hackney and Roadster ponies, Morgan horses, Friesian horses, Andalusian horses, and Carriage, Equitation and Medal Classes. This show will benefit the Pet Encounter Therapy and Therapeutic Riding programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center, and the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation. It will be available from June 12 to June 15 from 11 AM to 6 PM.

In addition, there will be a field of alpacas where you'll be able to spend a good time with these precious animals, which will be available every day of the fair from 11 AM to 6 PM. There will also be shows starring dogs and a charming pig race.

Did you know that, besides this, you will also find adorable butterflies? If you're coming to this area of the fair, you will be able to feed these insects and take lots of pictures. This activity will be available from June 12 to July 7 from 11 AM to 9 PM. Click here if you want to learn more about this type of events!

Concerts

Music is essential to this fair and there will be concerts practically every day by renowned bands and local talented artists. One of the greatest attractions will be TLC, performing with their light and laser Pink Floyd show. In addition, you can enjoy "Domingueando en la Feria", a binational and multicultural celebration that offers performances in Spanish every Sunday. The Toyota Concerts will take place at the Corona Grandstand stage at 7:30 PM and they will feature the following artists:

• Pepe Aguilar – June 16 (ticket prices from $80 dollars to $95 dollars)
• Pancho Barraza – June 23 (ticket prices from $35 dollars to $60 dollars)
• Los Tucanes de Tijuana – June 30 (ticket prices from $45 dollars to $80 dollars)
• Hombres G – July 7 (ticket prices from $50 dollars to $70 dollars)

It should be noted that some concerts will be free, i.e., admission is already included with your San Diego County Fair tickets. Click here to learn more about these concerts!

Competitions and Exhibitions

At this fair, you'll find a great variety of very fun activities that you will love. Most of them are free, which will allow you to have fun without worrying about additional costs beyond the admission price. Make the most of your visit and immerse yourself in this fair’s entertainment without spending a single penny more.

-The Children's Garden Scavenger Hunt is an amazing show with prizes for children where they will have to look for a garden gnome and win incredible prizes if they manage to find it. It will be available from June 12 to July 7, 2024 from 11 AM to 5 PM.

-From June 12 to July 7, 2024 from 11 AM to 10 PM, you'll be able to immerse yourself in the art world at Grandstand East of the San Diego County Fair. The Exhibition of Fine Art invites you to explore a highly competitive and extremely popular competition where 2-D and 3-D artwork from local and regional talented artists will capture your imagination.

-There is also the Gems, Mineral, and Jewelry exhibition, some of which glows in the dark! This exhibition will be available from June 12 to July 7 from 11 A M to 10 PM. Click here to learn more about the competitions and exhibitions at the San Diego County Fair!

Food and Drinks

This fair is also famous for its varied gastronomic offerings with options for all tastes. From classic food to innovative dishes, there is something for every palate. In addition, there will be lots of drinks. Don't miss the chance to taste a great variety of tasteful dishes such as corndogs, Salvadorean pupusas, kettle corn, and fried food. You'll also find crookies, shakes, pop tarts, funnel cakes (chicken sandwiches made with buñuelos), Bobba tea, huge turkey legs, corn, and burgers.

Every day starting at 2 PM, a brewery will be showcased every day, giving you a sample of the several different craft breweries that exist here. And just like there will be beer events, there will also be events dedicated to wine where you will be able to try the best ones in the region. The wine event will cost $15 dollars per person, though people 21 years or younger are not allowed. These events will be repeated at different times from June 12 to July 7.

Rides and Games

One of the most impressive and emblematic mechanical rides of the San Diego County Fair is the Ferris wheel. With an impressive height of 33 meters, this structure, according to the fair's official website, was imported directly from the Netherlands. Most amazing of all is that, during the evening, this giant Ferris wheel blinds attendants with a dazzling latest generation LED light show, creating a magical environment full of color.

Besides the Ferris wheel, the fair offers a variety of themed mechanical rides such as the Flying Jumbo and Alien Abduction which will provide you with lots of speed and excitement. However, if you're coming with children or people who prefer slower rides, the San Diego County Fair also has a special area designed for them. Here you will find the classic spinning teacups and a journey through the sky where children will be able to get into a little airplane, guaranteeing fun for the whole family.

How to make the most of the San Diego County Fair?

To make the most of the San Diego County Fair, it is important to keep in mind some key tips. First, plan your day by checking out the event calendar and make sure to buy your tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the entrance. Arriving early will allow you to enjoy the fair with less crowds and will give you more time to explore all the rides and available activities. Don't forget to check out the parking options.

Least crowded day

On this webpage, you can check out which days will be the least and most crowded days in the fair. Take advantage of this and purchase your tickets.

Prices vary depending on the visitor's age which is why on Wednesdays and Thursdays (except July 4), tickets for adults between ages 13 and 61 will cost $16 dollars when purchased in advance, while they will cost $20 dollars on the day of the event. People 62 years old or older and young people between ages 6 and 12 will have a reduced fee of $13 dollars when purchased in advance and $17 dollars on the day of the event.

On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and on July 4, fees will be a little bit higher. Tickets for adults between 13 and 61 years old will cost $20 dollars in advance and $25 dollars on the day of the event. People 62 years old or older and young people between ages 6 and 12 will pay $17 dollars when purchased in advance and $22 dollars on the day of the event.

Important info: if you're in Tijuana, you can purchase your tickets at Farmacias Roma at a preferential price.

BlastPass

Are you looking to experience the fun and thrill of carnival games and rides? Then BlastPass is for you. Thrill seekers know that one single ride is not enough. If you love rides and games, then getting a BlastPass in advance is definitely worth it. Tickets purchased for Ride & Game Credits must be redeemed for a Blast Pass Card at any of the following locations in the Fun Zone or Kids Zone: ticket booth, redemption tent, and self-service kiosk.

Buying your BlastPass in advance online will let you enjoy exclusive discounts that will not be available at the Fair itself. BlastPass ticket booths and self-service kiosks will be available in the entirety of Fun Zone and Kids Zone. These zones do not accept cash. Instead, there will be cash-to-credit machines (reverse ATMs) in key locations. These machines will load your cash on a card for use at the ticket booths, kiosks, and other cashless locations in the Fair (fee applies.) BlastPass credits purchased for the 2024 San Diego County Fair will only be valid from June 12 to July 7, 2024.

Click here to learn more and purchase your BlastPass online!

Fast Pass

A Fast Pass will also be available every day for $40 dollars, which can be exclusively used in the fair. This will allow users to get into a special lane in each ride, speeding up the experience and decreasing waiting times. Though this option is not available online, you can purchase this directly at the fair to enjoy a quicker and more comfortable experience for all rides.

Digital Map

Having your map on your tablet or cell phone can really help you. Best of all, you don't have to carry it physically or keep it in your purse, so it will not crumple or get lost. You can check out the digital map on the fair's official website, which you can also download and save. If you prefer a physical copy, you can print it.

Parking

Though the San Diego County Fair gets pretty crowded, you don't have to worry about your car as there are multiple parking options. Most of these, however, do charge a fee, but if you pay for them online you can save up to $5 dollars. General parking opens at 10 AM and it closes 1 hour after the fair closes. It has an access through the main entrance or the Solana door and it costs $20 dollars. Preferred parking opens at 10 AM and closes 1 hour after the fair. This parking lot costs $50 dollars and it is closer to the main entrance (O'Brien Gate) and the Will Call ticket booth.

In addition, you can also arrive through Horsepark, located 2 miles east of the fair, which also opens at 10 AM and closes 1 hour after the fair. It has a cost of $10 dollars. Due to the distance, it has a free transportation service that will bring visitors close to the fair's main entrance.

Canyon Crest Academy located at 5951 Village Center Loop Rd offers a similar free transportation service from its location to the fair's main entrance. It also opens at 10 AM and it closes 1 hour after the fair closes.

Discounts and Savings

Unlimited trips: Attention all ride fans! If you're looking for a limitless fun experience, this offer is for you. Enjoy unlimited attractions at Fun Zone and Kids Zone from 11 A M to 8 PM for a unique price, valid any Wednesday or Thursday (except Thursday, July 4). You can purchase your Pay-One-Price wristband for $49 dollars. Click here to buy it!

Children will be admitted for free on Friday: Children 12 years of age or younger will be admitted for FREE at the San Diego County Fair all Fridays. For children ages 6 to 12, this means a $12 dollar savings per child. It should also be noted that children 5 years of age of younger will be admitted for free every day.

Fair Tripper: Fair Tripper tickets include a round-trip ride on the NCTD COASTER, SPRINTER or BREEZE or the MTS Trolley or bus to the Solana Beach COASTER Station, and entry to the San Diego County Fair. Tickets are available for day-of-use sale only on the PRONTO app.

Fair Tripper prices are as follows: $16 dollars for adults and $13 dollars for seniors and young people on weekdays. However, prices will change on weekends and on July 4: $20 dollars for adults and $17 dollars for seniors and young people.

Contests for attendants: This year there will be an amazing contest that will make you relive your past as judges will be in charge of choosing a photo taken by guests. You can upload your photo on this page. Winners will be revealed and given the following prizes:

- Fair admission for 4 people
- 4 Tickets to the Grandstand concert of your choice
- Preferred Parking
- 250 Ride Credits
- $200 Food Vouchers
- $500 Visa Gift Card

The San Diego County Fair began in 1880 when a group of San Diego residents organized an agricultural fair in order to gather all of the county's farmers. The fair allowed participants to exchange ideas, compete for the best citric fruits, demonstrate their baking skills, and show off who had the fastest horse. After its initial success, the San Diego County Fair was established as a yearly tradition and it was celebrated in several places of the county such as National City and Balboa Park, until it was moved to its current location of Del Mar Fairgrounds in 1936. Since it began in 1880, the San Diego County Fair has only been suspended twice: during World War II and during the COVID-19 pandemic. That's why it is very important that you become a part of this great journey through time!

Learn everything about the San Diego County Fair on its official website and social media pages:

Website in Spanish: https://www.sdfair.com/spanish
Website in English: https://www.sdfair.com/
Facebook: @sdfair
Instagram: @sandiegocountyfair

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