Bargain hunters, rejoice: there are a lot of ways to save money at the San Diego County Fair this summer. Whether it’s on admission, food or rides, we have your saving guide to the fair.
Best Pass Ever ($25)
This year, the San Diego County Fair runs for 25 days from June 5 through July 5. The Best Pass Ever is for the serious fairgoer who plans to visit more than just once. For $25, you get admission to all 25 days of the fair. Compare this to a one-day fair ticket, which costs $15 per adult and $8 for seniors and kids ages 6 to 12. The Best Pass Ever can be purchased now through July 4 at San Diego County Albertsons and Vons stores or online (with an added $2.50 convenience fee).
Pepsi Pay-One-Price Ride Day Wristband ($35)
This $35 wristband – valid on any one select day from this list of dates – gets you unlimited rides from noon to 8 p.m. at the fair’s Fun Zone or Kids Zone. The wristband is available for purchase online through June 25 (with a $2.50 convenience fee added per band). If you shop for select Pepsi products at any San Diego County Albertsons or Vons, you can score a $5 discount coupon on the Pay-One-Price wristband.
Passport to Savings Booklet ($5)
This booklet – available for $5 through the end of the fair – boasts 180 coupons offering more than $1,000 in savings at the San Diego County Fair and around the county. This includes a free return ticket to the fair valued at $15 and discounts on fair food, rides, games and products.
Albertsons & Vons $4 Fair Days
Enter the fair on the cheap on June 5, June 6 or June 10 by purchasing one of these $4 tickets at San Diego County and Vons stores. These specially-priced tickets are not available at the fairgrounds – only available for purchase ahead of time at the grocery stores.
Discount on Adult Admission Tickets
Albertsons and Vons stores will sell discount adult admission tickets for $13 through July 15 for a $2 per ticket savings.
Kids' Day
June 23 and June 30 are Kids' Days and children ages 12 and under will be admitted for free, instead of the regular $8 per child price on other days.
Fair Tripper ($16)
Ride the COASTER train or a BREEZE bus to the fair and save some cash (and money on parking) with the $16 Fair Tripper deal, which includes fair admission and the public transportation ride. Shuttles transport bus and train passengers from the Solana Beach train station to the fair’s West Gate. Another savings tip: fairgoers who present a same-day transit ticket or monthly pass at the West Gate window can receive an admission discount on an adult, senior or child ticket.
Taste of the Fair ($2 per snack)
Craving fair food at a fair price? On June 23 and June 30, from opening until 5 p.m., the “Taste of the Fair” event will give attendees the opportunity to buy taste-sized portions of favorite fair foods for just $2 per snack. This includes corn dogs, fudge, fish tacos and cinnamon rolls. For a look at other fried and flavorful foods available at the fair this year, click here.
PennySaver Value Days on Fridays
The PennySaver coupon book, free with fair admission, includes more than $500 in discounts, two-for-one values and savings from more than 60 fair vendors.
Free Parking
Instead of paying the $10 to park in the lot in front of the fair, park for free at three different locations this year and take a free shuttle in. Free off-site parking locations include: Horsepark (14550 El Camino Real; free parking daily); MiraCosta College’s San Elijo Campus (3333 Manchester Ave.; free parking Saturdays, Sundays and Friday, July 3); and Torrey Pines High School (3710 Del Mar Heights Rd.; free parking Saturdays, Sundays and Friday, July 3). The free shuttle buses run from 9 a.m. until midnight and through 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Midway Game Tickets Deal ($12)
Buy $20 worth of Midway game tickets for $12 now through June 4. The value of each ticket is $1, and most games require multiple tickets. On select Wednesdays and Thursdays, you can play some games for just $1 each.
Bring Your Own Lunch
Patrons can bring their own lunch to the fairgrounds just don’t pack alcohol, glass containers or metal knives of any kind. Beverages must be in factory-sealed containers.
Save Cash With Kids’ Meal Deals
Kids meals at the fair include an entrée, a side dish, a drink and free admission to other local attractions including The New Children's Museum, USS Midway, Living Coast Discovery Center, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Birch Aquarium, San Diego Children's Discovery Museum, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Whaley House Museum, Warner Carrillo Ranch House, Marston House Museum, The San Diego Museum of Art, and Museum of Photographic Arts.
Save Your Admission Stub
Save your 2015 fair admission stub and you can get one free or discounted adult admission to these attractions in Balboa Park: The San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Marston House Museum, The San Diego Museum of Art, Museum of Photographic Arts, Whaley House (Old Town San Diego) and Warner Carrillo Ranch House (Warner Springs). Your stub is also valid for admission to the Ventura County Fair (Aug. 5-16) in Ventura County. Finally, if you went to the Temecula Valley Family Fair back in March and saved your ticket stub, bring it to the San Diego County Fair for a free one-day admission.
Those are a lot of deals, right? Of course, like each year, the fair will feature tons of exhibits, shows and special events – some of which are free with paid fair admission. Check out the fair events calendar for more information.
