San Diego County Fair: What to Eat, Ride, and See
The San Diego County Fair is back in town, which means summer has officially started in San Diego. With fair food, rides, and entertainment as far as the eye can see, the county fair is the first item on everyone’s San Diego summer to-do list. With a Wizard of Oz theme for 2019, the fair festivities are sure to be “Oz-some” this year. Spanning over two months of the summer and covering over 370 acres, the fair has so much to offer that it can be overwhelming. In order to navigate the grounds and get the most out of your time, we summed up some of the San Diego County Fair’s highlights.
Running from May 31 to July 4, 2019, the fair has a jam-packed schedule of events in store for the summer. With 1,879 concerts, 4,187 attractions, and over one million visitors, it’s important to plan your day wisely and not to leave out anything important (like bumper cars!). Just be sure to watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West!
Almost nightly throughout the summer, you can enjoy live music and stand-up comedy at Del Mar Fairground’s outdoor concert venue. Jim Gaffigan, Toby Keith, Jeff Dunham, Trace Adkins, and others will entertain you as the San Diego sun sets over the ocean.
Enjoy classic fair favorites ranging from funnel cakes and turkey legs to corn dogs and cotton candy. Or, check out featured indoor and outdoor restaurants inside the fairgrounds. Dine at local favorites, including Paddock Tavern, 17 Hands Restaurant and Cantina, Surfside Race Place, and more.
Strap in to exciting rides of all kinds at the San Diego County Fair. Experience thrills on High Voltage or the Giant Wheel, or keep your feet on the ground and gain some speed with Bumper Cars or the Dizzy Dragon spinners. The entire family will enjoy carnival rides made for kids of all ages.
Be sure to check out the various competitive exhibits going on around the fair. The annual Paul Ecke Jr. Flower Show is a must-see to check out the beautiful blooms and vibrant bouquets inside the fair. Once you’ve stopped and smelled the flowers, head over to the Livestock Breed Show to see entries ranging from sheep and cows to rabbits and pigs.
Located 40 minutes from Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina, the San Diego County Fair is the perfect way to kick off your summer.