When June comes around in San Diego, the weather is warmer, traffic increases and the locals flock to the Del Mar horse racing venue for the San Diego County Fair. This highly anticipated event takes place from early June through the 4th of July weekend every year. Unfortunately, our hectic weekends and a summer vacation means we’re missing the fair this year. I never got around to writing about our fair experience last year though. So, what exactly will you find at this popular event?
The fair is the largest annual event held in San Diego County which is made up of 18 cities. It is one of the largest attended fairs in America which hosts and offers a variety of exhibits, shows, carnival rides and games, attractions, concerts and plenty of vendors. There’s a Fun Zone and Kiddieland for the young and young at heart. This fair has been around for 29 years and has become an annual tradition for many families.
Many county fairs were originally set up to showcase livestock and agricultural products with some competitions and a spirit of community in the process. There was no shortage of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs including a Barnyard Babies Petting Farm and a Livestock Barn here.
A first for us last year was watching a bunch of piglets racing around a track. The Swifty Swine Racing Pigs ranked as one of the strangest things we’ve ever seen. Granted, the piglets were adorable. Different seating sections were assigned a pig to cheer on. Who knew it could get loud and competitive at a pig race?
As a bonus, there was also a piglet, Swifty the Swimming Pig, who swam across a large basin. Fair goers can also pose with Swifty afterwards for a “pigture”. It was too bad we also missed the Turkey stampede, Fido 500 mini dog races and the ostrich race.
Have Trunk Will Travel has operated the fair’s elephant rides for decades here. These rides have been a subject of controversy recently. Some have called for banning them claiming cruel treatments and posing injuries to children. It’s been banned in other Southern California fairs like the Orange County and Los Angeles fairs. But, the San Diego board of directors has allowed the ride to continue since there were no signs of cruelty or incidents of safety issues.
My husband and I deliberated for awhile on whether our kids should ride. Our kids pleaded and we saw the excitement and joy in many of the other children who just finished the ride. This ride has been here for decades and the fair’s governing body would have banned this if there were any issues. We ultimately decided to let them ride this one time for an invaluable experience to interact and be up close to such a magnificent animal. I’ve always felt sorry for wild animals paraded around like this and in circus acts. But, I hope that they get treated better here than trying to survive or killed mercilessly like their counterparts in the wild.
Each year, the fair also has an overall theme. This year is Game On! which spotlights the variety of games people play. Last year’s theme was Out of This World. So, of course, we got to meet some of the aliens walking around.
One of the great things the fair does is dedicate a big tent to showcase many of the students’ artworks from the various San Diego county cities. It took awhile but we eventually found our kids’ artworks their teachers submitted. We love that the kids get a free fair ticket for submitting their artwork and they can see them displayed here.
One of the best things about these county and state fairs has to be the food. I admit, it’s my favorite part of the fair. Fair food is calorie loaded, artery clogging, cholesterol laden and expensive. But, that didn’t stop us from trying some out. This giant smoked turkey leg was enough to feed my husband and kids for lunch. We passed on the Caveman Turkey Club which was one pound of bacon wrapped around an extra large turkey leg.
Seeing all the bacon items felt a little strange after watching the little piglets racing. It also gave me heartburn just by looking at the menu offerings. Despite being a chocolate lover, I didn’t even find the chocolate covered bacon appealing.
The Porkabello Kabobs which were Gouda cheese stuffed portabello mushrooms wrapped in bacon on a stick seemed pretty popular.
These Porky Poppers which were bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeños were also a hit.
The most popular food items are usually the fried ones. The food choices seem to get stranger and more interesting every year. This menu alone will make you do a double take on what they’ve come up with to fry.
I wish we had room in our stomachs to try the Texas Tater twisters. Fair goers can either have a sausage on a stick covered with fries or just the plain fries twisted on a stick. Seasonings and dipping sauces were extra.
Our desserts were a couple of the deliciously sounding fried sweets. This Fried Oreos which had the famous sandwich cookie enveloped with batter was as delicious and messy as it looked.
Finally, we couldn’t resist the Fried Kool-Aid. It tasted more like a strawberry cupcake batter and wasn’t too popular with our family.
Fairs are one of the best family-friendly outings that can satisfy everyone. There’s a little bit of everything from the rides, attractions, animals, food, shopping and exhibits. It’s an annual event that many look forward to going and one that also creates lasting memories.
San Diego County Fair Basic and Tips
- Buy tickets in advance to avoid lines and to get discounts. Prices: $14 adults; Kids (6-12) and Seniors 62 and older: $8. Check grocery stores like Albertsons or Costco to get discounted tickets. There’s also a $24 pass for admission to the fair for 24 days.
- Parking is $10.00 per vehicle ($15.00 for RVs) in the Fair’s paid parking lots.Go to the free parking sites every day at Horsepark (2.5 miles away) and at MiraCosta College’s San Elijo campus and Torrey Pines High School during the weekends. Free shuttles are provided.
- Try to visit on a weekday if you can to avoid the weekend crowds. The fair is closed on Mondays.
- Bring your own water bottles to save some money.
- Carnival ride tickets must be purchased. Most rides require between three and six tickets. Look for deals like 25 midway rides coupons for $15.
- Check the San Diego County Fair website for events, concerts and special days at the fair like Kids’ Day, every Tuesday with special activities for kids, and all kids 12 and under get in free, Seniors’ Day on Thursday or Taste of the Fair, every Tuesday, featuring $2.00 samples of fair food.
I think I’m going to have to admit that I have never been to a fair of any sort. It does sound like a lot of fun so I might have to do something about that. I’m not sure that I can stomach any of the fair food though! :)
You have to try and go to some sort of far, Lisa. It is a lot of fun. Some of the fair food is not as bad as it looks. Just bring antacid :)
Hi Mary, I’ve been to this Fair many years ago when I was visiting my cousin in San Diego. I;ve forgoteen how fun it was until I say your photos.
Sounds like it was a memorable experience. Come back soon to visit.
The porky poppers are the best, even though they can cause a tummy ache. Still, worth it.
I haven’t tried the porky poppers. Will need to try it next time. Thanks Colleen!
Food is definitely one of the main attractions of any fair :) Quite a selection too. The racing piglets are so adorable. Weird race for sure.
Those pig races were a little strange but the fair food is definitely worth it.
A lot of good food :)
It’s a lot of good and strange food.
O.M.G! Fried everything. Wanna wanna…..
Glad to hear that Marlys. Some of them were definitely worth a try.
I’d never thought of ‘county fairs’ and ‘San Diego’ before. We have a lot of fairs in Washington State and they are set in rural, agricultural areas. Don’t think I’ve ever seen an elephant at one of the in-state fairs. Fun post.
Thanks Jackie! When I first came to San Diego, I had the same thoughts. I’d love to visit those authentic rural ones in Washington one of these days.
The fair looks fun and lively – but the food!!! Chocolate covered bacon??? Who thinks up a thing like that?
I know what you mean about that chocolate covered bacon, Sophie. It just seemed wrong.
I love the pig races and you are so right about cholesterol heavy food. Why does that stuff have to be so bad for you? It’s a shame you’re going to miss the fair but I think your European trip will more than make up for it.
I haven’t been to the county fair in years! I definitely want to go this year, although ours isn’t anywhere near the scale of yours. Fair food has always been one of the draws for visitors but I have to admit, as I’ve gotten older the thought of all that grease becomes less desirable. I won’t pass up a caramel apple or good ole glass of lemonade though.
All the fun of the fair! I can remember being excited as a child for the Royal Show that we have in our city. We didn’t have racing pigs though or food that was any where as amazing as what is on offer here!
County Fairs have always been a big hit in our family! We love the animals, pig races and even the reptile display. Food is a big draw for any fair, isn’t it?? LOL Fried is good including fried twinkies :)
There is so much to see at a good fair. Glad San Diego has a nice one.
I am definitely going to visit San Diego one day, it has always appealed to me.
The fair looks like fun – I think I will give the deep fried foods a miss though :)
Oh don’t make me eat all that friend food!! Some of it gave me a sore tummy just looking. Turkey leg did look good through, as does the fair itself. Cool way to do a bit of armchair travelling today. Thank you!
The food! It looks so great!!! I miss American fairs and it’s too bad you didn’t make it this year.
As for the elephant thing, I always think about things like what you mentioned. If you think the animals are being properly treated, and the county agrees, then the best case scenario is that the awe your children have for the elephants will grow and when they grow up they’ll be elephant lovers. So, that’s a good thing.
Sounds like a really fun fair!! Thanks for linking up with us today!
I do like fairs, and hope I can get to one when I’m home. I’ll have to do some research on that! The food looks delicious, and YES…I eat fair/street food almost everywhere in the world. Knock wood, I have never been sick. The best of rule of thumb…use your commonsense. If others are eating from a particular vendor, then okay. I also have a look around at how clean the stall is. Not clean, I move along. Have a great summer vacation!
Can’t get over that turkey leg. I thought those were filled with splintered bones.
What a great day out for the kids. I love fairs as well even when I’m not a kid anymore, there’s always such a great atmosphere and YES I most definitely eat all the fair food. I think that’s part of the fun.
There is nothing like a fair! Here in Maine, there are lots of them during the summer and we are trying to check them all out. What a hoot that is as they are what you’d call country fairs and each has it’s own flavor.
I love county fairs & wish the Los Angeles County Fair were actually in Los Angeles & not so painfully hot. A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to attend a small town county fair (in Monroe, Michigan) & that was cool. Best part was being brave enough to try a fried twinkie. Pure heaven!
We don’t have county fairs – just the state fairs. But, I’m a big fan of them! So much food…. on sticks!
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