San Diego’s favorite fair is open at the Del Mar Fairgrounds from June 10–July 5 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Below are the best 2026 San Diego County Fair tips, deals and discounts to help your family make the most of your visit. The key is to plan ahead! Save money by purchasing admission and parking online in advance. Lots more fair tips below.
SAN DIEGO FAIR ADMISSION DEALS
- Kids ages 12 and under get in free every Friday + 2-for-1 tickets to LEGOLAND California!
- Kids ages 5 and under are always free.
- Save on admission by purchasing tickets online at least 24 hours in advance.
- Save up to $8.50 on admission by purchasing tickets at your local Albertsons or Vons store. Minimum grocery purchase may be required.
- Save on tickets, parking, rides, games and more by purchasing fair tickets at local Costco warehouses. For $99.99 you'll get four admission tickets, one parking pass, 40 ride/game credits and a Passport to Savings coupon book.
- San Diego County Fair Season Passes:
- Standard Season Passes offer unlimited admission to all 20 days of the fair for $65, but they have to be purchased by June 9, 2026 (the day before the fair starts).
Fair Tripper Tickets
For just a few dollars more than fair admission alone, get admission PLUS a round-trip ride on NCTD Coaster/Sprinter or an MTS Trolley/Bus to the Solana Beach Coaster Station, then take a free shuttle to the fairgrounds. Shuttles run every 30 minutes. Learn more at www.sdfair.com/p/plan-your-visit/tickets-deals/fair-tripper.
- On Friday, June 19 -- in celebration of Juneteenth -- get even bigger Fair Tripper discounts when you select "promotional fares" on the PRONTO app.
PARKING DEALS
- Park at Horsepark (14550 El Camino Real, Del Mar) for $15 and take a free shuttle to the fair’s main entrance (O’Brien Gate).
- Park FREE at Torrey Pines High School at 3710 Del Mar Heights Rd. and take a free shuttle to the fair’s main entrance (O’Brien Gate).
- Save $5 on general parking by purchasing online at least 24 hours in advance.
FAIR RIDE DEALS/DISCOUNTS
- Pepsi Pay-One-Price Wristband Days are Wednesdays and Thursdays (choose one day only). Wristbands entitle participants to unlimited Fun Zone or Kids Zone rides (not games) until 8 pm on one of these designated days. Purchase wristbands by June 10 to save $5 (regular price is $55). Ride wristbands do not include fair admission.
- Online Pay-One-Price purchases must be redeemed for a wristband on site by 6 pm.
- Get a $5 off coupon by purchasing two 20 oz Pepsi products at 7-Eleven or Speedway stores. Coupon contains a code that is good for online purchase ONLY of up to four wristbands.
- A BlastPass carries credits for rides and games in the Fun Zone, Kids Zone and on the Skyway. Discounts for extra credits ended June 9. BlastPasses are now worth face value ($1.25 per credit).
SAN DIEGO FAIR MEAL DEALS
- Dozens of food stands offer a Value Meal Deal (entree, side and/or a drink) for only $15 +tax. Learn more at https://www.sdfair.com/p/plan-your-visit/tickets-deals/value-meal-deal.
- Every Friday in June, 18 Fair-tastic Finalist Foods will be offered at HALF PRICE from 11 am-4 pm.
GOOD TO KNOW
- The San Diego County Fair is closed every Monday and Tuesday.
- Parking, admission, rides and games do not accept cash on site.
- Fair rides and games operate on a credit system.
- Rides require between 4–12 credits each.
- Ride and game credits expire when the 2026 fair ends on July 5.
- Get the Passport to Savings Coupon Book for $5 to access discounts on food, rides, shopping and attractions (valued at $1,000).
Find all available deals at www.sdfair.com.
Lisa Gipson is managing editor for San Diego Family Magazine.
Updated: June 2026
Here's an inspiring story about one local family that "started" at the fair!
It All Started at the Fair
