Ultimate Guide To The San Diego County Fair With Kids

The perfect place to kick off your summer is a trip to the Annual San Diego County Fair and Del Mar Fairgrounds. The fair is so fun for parents and kids of all ages! The fair’s theme this year is Once Upon a Fair.

The rides and food are back, as well as all the livestock, games, themed exhibits and more. Last year we had so much fun perusing the animal displays and talking all about pets. I will be updating this page after we visit the first week of the fair! Consider this your ultimate guide to visiting the fair with kids for 2026!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The 2026 San Diego County Fair features a Once Upon a Fair theme celebrating finding your “happily ever after” at The San Diego County Fair.

• Unlimited ride wristbands at $50 (before June 10) or $55 (after June 10) offer better value than individual ride tickets, as each carnival ride costs 4-5 credits ($4-$5 per person) and families can easily spend $140 in tickets within two hours. You can get an additional $5 discount using a Pepsi code from participating 7-11s.

• Wednesday and Thursday offer the most affordable fair experience with lower admission prices ($14-$17 versus weekend prices of $17-$20) and availability of pay-one-price unlimited ride wristbands valid from 11am to 8pm.

• Children under age 6 receive free admission every day, while children ages 6-12 receive free admission on Fridays, though unlimited ride wristbands are not available on Fridays.

• Free parking with shuttle service is available at Torrey Pines High School, while on-site parking options range from $15 for off-site Horsepark parking to $60 for Preferred Parking directly at the fairgrounds entrance.

San Diego Fair Theme for 2026

From the fair website, this is what we can expect of this year’s theme:

“This theme will invite fairgoers to open a new chapter with the celebration of the joys of reading, the power of storytelling, and the magic found between the lines. Through the rides, games, exhibits, entertainment, cuisine, and festive atmosphere of the Fair, San Diegans will be invited to write their own summer story — one ride, bite, and memory at a time.

“The San Diego County Fair is the greatest story our community has ever told,” said Carlene Moore, the CEO of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which produces the Fair. “It’s a tale of food, fun, friends, family, laughter, tradition, music, amazement, and pure, unbridled joy. Our Fair is always an unforgettable event, and we know that Once Upon a Fair truly will be one for the books.”

The 2026 theme experience will highlight the power of books and community literacy through hands-on exhibits and activities, including:

• Tell Your Story: Discover your inner author! Join workshops on writing, illustrating, and publishing your own fictional or biographical tale.
• Golden Books: Step into the treasured stories of your youth — from classic fairy tales to young adult adventures — and rediscover the magic that made you fall in love with reading.
• Color & Comics: Explore the bold, vibrant world of comics, graphic novels, and giant coloring books — because not all great stories are told in words.
• Library Love: Learn how libraries have shaped communities, past and present, and how you can unlock their hidden treasures.
• Book Fair: Browse our Book Fair for your next summer read. Mystery, Sci-Fi, Romance or Travel? There’s something for every bookworm to devour!

And beyond the theme exhibits, guests will find the traditional favorites that make the San Diego County Fair a must-visit each summer:

And a diverse array of concerts, entertainment, and performances throughout the Fairgrounds that will take fairgoers Around the World in 20 days.

Hunger Games: A wide variety of food experiences, from corn dogs and cinnamon rolls to deep-fried, over-the-top culinary creations.

Goosebumps: More than 70 rides in the Fun Zone and Kids Zone.

Lord of the Rings: Carnival games challenge players to tests of skill for the opportunity to win plush prizes.

Treasure Island: Shopping halls offer goods and services for your home, fashion, jewelry, hand-crafted items, and unique fair merchandise.

Where the Wild Things Are: A full lineup of livestock shows and farm exhibits, connecting fairgoers to San Diego’s agricultural roots.

Source: https://us22.campaign-archive.com/?u=bd1118d015946bd1a402026fa&id=48da62dc29

How Ticketing Works For The San Diego Fair

First, let’s go over general price of admission for the fair and how the ride pricing works then we will go into discounts. Basically ticket prices will never be over $25. There are many ways to get discounts. Really it’s the rides that will get you especially with multiple kids that want to ride multiple rides, so don’t skip that section!

Here is how ticketing works: Under age 6 is always free! Wednesday and Thursday: $14/kid (6-12), $17/adult. Friday: Kids under 13 get free admission, adults at $17. Saturday and Sunday: $17/kid, $20/adult.

This year all libraries in San Diego are offering free fair admission for kids if they sign up for the summer reading program! Read more about the summer reading program here: https://sandiegomamas.com/summer-reading-program/

You need to buy admission tickets in advance online for the day you intend to go. You can buy them in person but you risk it being sold out. The fair is completely cashless so make sure to bring other payment types.

San Diego Fair Daily Admission Price Breakdown by Day

Day	Child (6-12)	Adult (13+)
Wednesday/Thursday	$14	$17
Friday	FREE (under 13)	$17
Saturday/Sunday	$17	$20
Children Under 6	FREE Every Day

The Hidden Math Behind Fair Spending: Why Your Budget Disappears Faster Than You Think

Most families walk into the fair thinking they’ll spend around $200 for the day. Reality check: you’re looking at closer to $400-$500 if you’re not strategic. Here’s the breakdown nobody talks about:

The Cascade Effect of Fair Spending:
• Admission creep: $17/adult + $14-17/kid = $60-85 for a family of four
• The ride trap: Each kid wants 10-15 rides × $5 per ride × 2 kids = $100-150 minimum
• The snack spiral: “Just one treat” × 4 people × 3-4 times throughout the day = $80-120
• Parking reality: $10-50 depending on convenience level
• The “yes” tax: Games, souvenirs, impulse purchases = $50-100

The Real Cost Per Hour:
If you stay 6 hours (typical family visit), you’re spending $65-85 per hour of entertainment. That’s more expensive than Disneyland on a per-hour basis without the strategic approach.

The Smart Family Formula:
Wednesday/Thursday visit (with Albertson’s / Vons tickets) + Free parking + Unlimited wristbands for riders only + Passport to Savings book + One shared meal + Two shared treats = $180-220 total for family of four

That’s a $250+ savings by simply changing WHEN you go and HOW you structure your spending.

Parking at the San Diego Fair

There are a few options for parking from most expensive to least expensive. Each parking pass will be slightly cheaper if you buy in advance on the website before going. All lots open at 10 am and close one hour after the fair closes. The shuttles drop off at O’Brian Gate which is where will call and the main fair entrance is. 

The most expensive option is the Preferred Parking. You park on the fairgrounds right at the entrance. The cost for this is $60. It saves you from having to use the shuttle (and fold your stroller!) and it’s great for the end of a long day when your feet are tired after walking around the fair all day. If you choose this option, you will drive past the main entrance until you see the Preferred Parking sign.

The next two down are General Parking and Horsepark. General parking spots are $25 and gets you plenty close to the entrance. You enter at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Horsepark is $15 and you will have to take a free shuttle as it is off-site parking (about 2 miles away). 

The Best Spot for Free Parking

Another option is Torrey Pines High SchooI They have free parking spaces and there’s a free shuttle service to get to O’Brian Gate. As you have to take a shuttle regardless unless you do the most expensive option, this is great!

Complete Fair Parking Options Comparison

Parking Type	Cost	Shuttle Needed?
Preferred (On-site)	$60 (on-site) $55 (online 24 hrs before)	No
General Parking	$25 (on-site) $20 (online 24 hrs before)	No
Horsepark	$15	Yes (free)
Torrey Pines High School	FREE	Yes (free)

Rides and Ride Tickets / Wristbands

There are a TON of carnival rides. More than I’ve ever seen at any fair. Every year they add more new rides! There are two areas, the Fun Zone which has bigger rides for teenagers and adults and Family Funville Kids Zone with rides and attractions for little kids. There wasn’t a lot our kids could do in the larger ride area, so no need to walk over there if you have little kids. The best part of The Fair is always the Fun Houses! Those are a core memory for me from when I was a child. There are tons of fun houses to choose from. If you get the unlimited rides wristband, you might want to stop by the Fun Zone for the larger funhouse and mirror mazes. The roller coaster and zip lines are also fun over there!

Each ride costs 4-5 ride credits per person. The ride credits are about 1:1 so each ride costs $4-$5 per person. I have two kids old enough to ride rides. We burned through $140 worth of ride tickets in about two hours and we didn’t even ride everything. That gives you an idea of how many tickets you will need. The Costco deal gets you only 40 ride credits so you will definitely be buying more. 

The Wristband is a Good Idea

Unless you are planning on putting a severe limit on how many rides your kids can ride, it is worth it to get the unlimited ride wristband. The ride wristbands are $50 online and a few dollars more at the fair. The pay-one-price ride days are only on Wednesdays or Thursdays. They do not include the games. They are valid for rides between 11 am and 8 pm. The fair stays open until 10 or 11 pm so just be aware the wristbands won’t work in the last few hours. Plan your time accordingly. We had NO crowds from 6-8 pm, we walked on everything. 

​Note: Kids are free on Fridays, BUT there are no unlimited ride wristbands. I would say the ride wristbands are a better deal than the Kids Go Free Deal. Especially considering kids under 6 are free!

Ride Pricing: Individual Tickets vs Unlimited Wristband Value

Number of Rides	Individual Tickets Cost	Wristband Cost
5 rides	$20-25	$50
10 rides	$40-50	$50
15+ rides	$60-75+	$50
Wristband breaks even at 10-12 rides | Valid 11am-8pm Wed/Thu only

Most Affordable San Diego Fair Options for Families

Okay now that you know what everything costs on the fair website, let’s go over some of the deals. I will put all the details, but each family situation is different so I can’t say which will be the best deal for your situation.

Personally for my family the most affordable option would be: go on a Wednesday or Thursday, do the free parking with the shuttle, get the ride wristbands for my two older kids and my husband, and pay individually for the rides I want to do. I would also get the Passport To Savings book. Also, gorge ourselves on funnel cake. 

Where To Find San Diego Fair Discounts

All the discount options can be overwhelming, so let me say this: you will only really find about $9 off each fair admission ticket so take your pick which one to use. All end up being about the same, so choose one and go with it. Then make sure to get the unlimited rides wristband to avoid kid meltdowns after you’ve spent a ton of money (my favorite!). 

Costco San Diego Fair Deal: $99, family four-pack fair tickets, parking, and 40 ride coupons. Will make sense for some families, but those ride coupons will go FAST and you will likely buy more. Make sure your kids are old enough to take advantage of the free fair entry tickets as kids under 6 don’t need a ticket and kids are free on Fridays. You can always split this with another family.

More Discounts To Consider

Vons Grocery Stores Discounts: Save $3 off adult ticket when you purchase at Albertsons or Vons.  Link here.

Fair Tripper: For the same price as the ticket of the fair, you can get round trip on the MTS trolley AND a fair admission ticket. This saves on parking and fair admission at the same time. Includes a free shuttle ride from the Solana Beach station. Link here.

Passport to Savings: Inside the Passport to Savings Coupon Book, you’ll find amazing discounts on everything from funnel cakes and corn dogs to thrilling rides and unique shopping experiences. Whether you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth or get your adrenaline pumping, this book has something for everyone. Purchase a Passport to Savings coupon book for only $5, and you’ll find more than $1,000 in big savings on fair food, rides, carnival games and souvenirs. We saw a lot of families with these. More info here.

Fair Discount Options Quick Comparison

Discount Source	What You Get	Best For
Costco Pack ($99)	4 tickets + parking + 40 ride credits	Families splitting costs
Vons/Albertsons	$3 off adult admission	Last-minute ticket buyers
Fair Tripper	Trolley ride + admission	Solo visitors or couples
Passport to Savings ($5)	$1,000+ in food/game discounts	Anyone buying 3+ food items

How To Plan Your San Diego Fair Day

Here is what my itinerary would be for a day at the fair. Arrive around 11 am as the fair opens. As we arrive, we would buy our first snack. Then we would head over to the exhibits, making sure to hit up the pet exhibits. Next up, some of the plant and jewel exhibits just for mom. Stop for lunch. Over to the animal exhibits. Another snack, maybe a drink to share. 

Then finally the little kid rides. Blow through all your tickets until they are gone. Then sit down to dinner and dessert assuming everyone is still hungry. Go back and hit any rides you missed. Ride the sky tram thing right as the sun goes down. Take everyone home with full bellies and put them right to bed!

2025 Itinerary (will update for 2026 after we go!)

Here was our itinerary for 2025. We arrived around 2:30 and left around 10:30. You could easily adjust it easier, we were limited by our kids’ school schedules.

🐶 Pet Rocks Exhibit: meet animals and learn about pets! Brand new this year.

🍍 First treat, we chose Dole Whip.

🌹 Over to the flower show and @sdfoodbank mini grocery store.

🚂Train display and garden display by @armstronggarden . Grab free pumpkin seeds! 🎃

🥛 Second treat @hollandiadairy chocolate milk for $3 from by the Hollandia dairy display.

🐷 Pig races, walk through the livestock.

🌮 Dinner! We got Kenyan food and the kids got quesadillas.

💦 Quick stroll through the shopping area. You can skip this because you might accidentally buy a fancy hose nozzle like I did. I regret nothing.

💎 Stop by the gem area. Kids dying for rides at this point.

🚠 Sky tram into The Family Fun Zone.

🦋 Butterfly exhibit ($4/person very worth it).

🐑 Petting zoo, free. Don’t pay for feed. The llama will eat it in one bite.

🎡 Time for rides! Wristband or ride tickets. We didn’t leave The Family Fun Zone. The bigger rides are in another section. You could do those after or before!

⚠️ The games in The Family Fun Zone are ridiculously easy. We came home with way too many stuffies. You’ve been warned.

🎂 Final treat and home. We got an Oreo funnel cake and all split it!

The Strategic Parent’s Hour-by-Hour Fair Timeline (Crowd Hacking Edition)

The fair operates on predictable crowd patterns that most families miss. Understanding these patterns means shorter lines, better photo opportunities, and less overwhelmed kids.

11am-1pm: The Golden Window
• Rides have zero wait times (literally walk on)
• Exhibits are empty enough to actually read displays
• Food lines are manageable
• Photo opportunities without crowds in background
• Animals are most active in exhibits

1pm-3pm: The Bottleneck
• Skip rides entirely during this window
• Perfect time for air-conditioned exhibits
• Sit-down meal when everyone else is riding
• Guest Services is least busy for phone charging, nursing room

3pm-5pm: The Afternoon Slump
• Crowds thin as families with young kids leave for naps
• Second-best time for popular rides
• Food vendors start discounting items approaching dinner
• Parking lots begin emptying (easier exit later)

5pm-8pm: The Dinner Rush Avoidance
• Everyone floods food areas between 5:30-7pm
• This is your time to dominate rides again
• Hit butterfly exhibit and petting zoo while others eat
• Wristbands expire at 8pm—use every minute

8pm-Close: The Victory Lap
• Pay-per-ride only but crowds are 60% gone
• Best atmosphere with lights and cooler temperatures
• Funnel cake vendors sometimes give larger portions late
• Easy parking exit with minimal traffic

The Parent Power Move: Arrive at 11am, leave at 8:30pm. You’ll experience 4-5 hours of low-crowd conditions versus families who arrive at 2pm hitting maximum crowds.

What To Do Besides Rides

There is SO MUCH to do at the fair for the whole family. You could spend the entire day there and not ride one ride! We ended up spending so much time at the exhibits we had to rush to the rides. From farm animals to the amazing butterfly exhibit, pony rides, art projects, outrageous creations, student showcase displays, minerals & jewelry exhibits, gardens, trains, and scavenger hunts I can guarantee you won’t be bored.

My favorite part of the fair is the incredible exhibits. This year is Once Upon a Fair and I can’t wait to see what they have!

Butterfly Exhibit

Another spot to not miss is the butterfly exhibit. Here is my reel on it. It’s only $4 for entry. They give you this Q-tip with sugar water on it. I have done a ton of butterfly experiences over the years but this one was by far the best one I’ve ever done! They landed all over us. If you go and you have a hat, wear it in. They are more likely to land on hats! The petting zoo is also in this area and it’s included with admission. Both these experiences are in Family Funville this year.

One cool thing we stumbled into last year was the tightrope circus and magic show! It’s by the back of the kid rides or it was last year. My kids were MESMERIZED. There are also traveling talent performances walking around the fair for you to enjoy. Different people all the time!

Check their daily schedule for any scheduled entertainment, but the best thing to do is just wander and explore. You never know what you might find. 

Must-See Exhibits and Experiences Beyond the Rides

Experience	Cost	Location
Once Upon a Fair Exhibit	Included with admission	Right of main entrance
Butterfly Exhibit	$4 per person	Family Funville
Petting Zoo	Included with admission	Family Funville
Livestock & Pig Races	Included with admission	Check daily schedule
Flower/Garden Exhibits	Included with admission	Central fairgrounds

General Info and Tips for Moms

Guest Services is your best friend especially for parents of younger children. It’s right by the entrance to Family Funville (the kid ride area). They have a breastfeeding mother’s room with entertainment for the other kids, first aid, lost children’s area, and they even charged my phone for me! This is also where you would get a wagon rental or power-driven mobility devices. 

The fair is at The Del Mar Fairgrounds so it was not very hot, at least in June. I thought in my head fair=HOT because that’s what I have always experienced but that was not the case when we went. It was actually quite cold. We forgot jackets. Next time! Bring jackets AND sunscreen because you never know what the San Diego sun has in store, especially in June. 

What To Eat at The San Diego County Fair

There are a ton of mouth-watering food options. My tip for families is to buy one thing at a time and all split it. Eat every few hours instead of sitting down to a big dinner. The portions are HUGE. Half of each entree would be the right size for an adult. We loved Chicken Charlie’s pineapple teriyaki chicken bowl. Also make sure to try the deep-fried Oreo and fried Twinkies. To me it’s not a fair outing without a funnel cake! This year they have a caviar funnel cake. We passed on that one, also it was $60! We did try the pizza and orange Julius drink and they were mediocre.

This year we tested some Kenyan food at it was AMAZING. It’s over by the Hollandia Dairy area. We also got Dole Whip (only okay) and funnel cakes of course. I tried the chocolate covered strawberries in Family Funville and they were not great. Skip.

Special Events and Concert Series

One huge draw for the fair is all the fun events, and top-notch entertainment they have! Here is the full list of artists. The Fourth of July is a very popular day to go. I also see Demi Lovato, Nelly, Marshmello, Chicago, Good Charlotte and more as part of the Toyota Summer Concert Series! The music scene is a huge draw for kids and parents alike. Most of the concerts take place on the Corona Grandstand Stage. Check the Fair Schedule for the full lineup and dates!

FAQ

Can I bring my own food and drinks into the San Diego County Fair?
Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the fairgrounds with the exception of baby food, formula, and medically necessary items. The fair offers a wide variety of food vendors with options ranging from traditional fair foods to diverse international cuisines. Water fountains are available throughout the fairgrounds for refilling water bottles.

What is the best day of the week to visit the fair with young children?
Wednesday or Thursday mornings are ideal for families with young children due to lower admission prices, availability of unlimited ride wristbands, and significantly smaller crowds. Arriving right at 11am when the fair opens allows families to experience rides with minimal wait times and enjoy exhibits before afternoon crowds arrive, making for a more relaxed experience with less overstimulated children.

Are strollers allowed at the fair and where can I store them during rides?
Strollers are permitted throughout the fairgrounds and most families find them essential for young children during the long walking distances. Each ride area has designated stroller parking zones where you can leave your stroller while your child rides, though these areas are not supervised so avoid leaving valuables. Guest Services near Family Funville also offers wagon rentals if you prefer a more compact option.

More FAQ

How does the cashless payment system work and what if I only have cash?
The San Diego County Fair operates entirely cashless for all transactions including food, rides, games, and souvenirs. Credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted at all vendors. If you only have cash, reverse ATM kiosks are located throughout the fairgrounds where you can convert cash into a prepaid card for use at the fair.

Is there a way to find lost children quickly at the fair?
Guest Services located near the Family Funville entrance operates a dedicated lost children’s area with staff trained to reunite families quickly. Before entering the fair, consider writing your cell phone number on your child’s arm with permanent marker or using identification wristbands. If you become separated, instruct children to find any fair employee wearing an official uniform or go directly to Guest Services rather than wandering the fairgrounds searching.

MOST IMPORTANT INSIGHTS TO REMEMBER

#1 Unlimited ride wristbands provide the best value and stress-free experience when visiting on Wednesday or Thursday between 11am-8pm, as individual ride tickets at $4-5 per person quickly exceed the $49 wristband cost after just 10-12 rides.

#2 Wednesday and Thursday visits unlock the triple advantage of lowest admission prices ($13-17 vs $17-20 on weekends), access to unlimited ride wristbands (unavailable Friday-Sunday), and significantly reduced crowd levels throughout the day.

#3 Strategic parking choices can save $50 per visit with free parking and shuttle service available at Canyon Crest Academy versus $50 for Preferred on-site parking, making the shuttle worth the extra 10-15 minutes for most families.

#4 Children under 6 receive free admission every single day which makes the Friday “Kids Free” promotion less valuable than it appears, while the Costco four-pack can be split between families or used across multiple visits since tickets don’t expire during the fair season.

#5 The Guest Services location near Family Funville serves as headquarters for essential parent resources including a breastfeeding mother’s room, phone charging stations, first aid, lost children services, and wagon rentals that can transform a difficult day into a manageable one.

Have So Much Fun at the Fair!

Okay that’s all! I hope you have a great time at the fair and your kids don’t spend all your money. Check out my Instagram for the most updated fair tips. I have an email list that sends out weekly lists of fun family events happening each week in San Diego as well as other San Diego things to help parents find affordable fun with their kids. You can sign up for that here!

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