The 2017 San Diego County Fair opens Friday. NBC 7’s Nicole Gomez takes a look at some of the treats that await behind those gates.
The San Diego County Fair is chock-full of music, food and fun. Here are a few different ways that you can make sense of your dollars at the fair, which runs from June 2 to July 4 (closed dates: June 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 & 26).
The Best Pass Ever (Season Pass)
Entry to all 26 days of the fair for $26 dollars. It's that simple. Purchase the Best Pass Ever online through July 3, or at any San Diego County Vons or Albertsons grocery store through June 1. You can also pick them up in person at the fairgrounds box office at the O'Brien Gate.
Passport to Savings Booklet
Save on fair food, entertainment, rides, games and shopping, and get bargain deals on food and entertainment outside of the fair in the San Diego area. The Passport to Savings booklet also includes a free return ticket. You can buy them inside the fair for $5, or online for $4.
Unlimited Rides Wristband
For $38, you can gain unlimited access to Fun Zone and Kids Zone rides for a day. Wristbands can be purchased online or at Fun Zone and Kids Zone ticket booths inside the fair, and are only valid on Pay One Price days.
You can view a list of all rides here.
Admission-Ride Value Pack
This value pack includes four tickets, a Passport to Savings coupon book voucher, 20 ride coupons, four 2-for-1 medium soft drink coupons and a parking pass for $74. Value Packs can be purchased online through June 1, or at the fairgrounds box office.
Ride Lovers' Pack
Who doesn't love fair rides? Devoted riders can get 50 ride coupons along with an admission ticket and a 2-for-1 medium soft drink coupon for $45. Ride Lovers' Packs can be purchased online through June 1, or at the fairgrounds box office.
Ride Coupon Sheets & Game Coupon Sheets
Pick up 25 ride coupons for $16, or 20 game coupons for $12. Both sheets are sold online only through June 1. Single ride coupons cost 75 cents, and most rides require 3-10 coupons. Sheets of 12 ride coupons are sold for $9 and sheets of 28 are sold for $20.
Fair Tripper Combo Package
This great package includes round-trip fare on a bus, train or trolley to a COASTER station, a COASTER ride to the Solana Beach station, a bus ride from the station to the west gate and adult admission. The Fair Tripper, limited to just North County Transit District (NCTD) trains and buses, is available for $20. The Region Plus Fair Tripper includes fare for MTS buses and trolleys, as well as the COASTER connection, and is available for $24.
Local
You can purchase the Fair Tripper through the Compass Cloud mobile app or at NCTD ticket machines.
Children 5 years old and younger ride NCTD transit for free and are not charged fair admission.
Same-Day Ticket Discount
Save $4 on fair admission by presenting a same-day transit ticket or Compass Card at the West Gate only.
Military Free Day
Military ID card holders (active duty, reservists, retirees, dependents and DoD employees) can pick up two free tickets for Opening Day, June 2 at base ticket offices.
Albertsons & Vons $5 Fair Days
You can get admission into the fair for just 20 quarters on June 2, 3 and June 7 when you buy these specially-priced tickets sold only at San Diego CountyAlbertsons and Vons stores.
You can also save $3 on single-day adult admission, and senior and child single-day tickets on non $5 days when you purchase tickets at Albertsons or Vons.
College Day
School is out and the fair is calling. College students can present a school photo ID at the fair box office for $10 admission and savings on rides on June 9.
Toyota Dealers 2 for 1
Stop by a San Diego County Toyota dealership and get a 2-for-1 adult admission ticket coupon and save $18. Two-for-one tickets are valid any weekday the fair is open.
Group Ticket Sales
Groups can Choose from more than 15 different ticket options including unlimited admission tickets, and tickets for the fair's wine, beer and cocktail festivals. Check out all of the group ticket options here.
Get great deals on admission when you order online for 20 guests or more. Order $1,000 or more in group tickets at least three weeks prior to the start of the fair and receive two complimentary Del Mar Thoroughbred Club summer race meet tickets.
Unemployed Day
The San Diego County Fair is offering those currently without employment a chance to come to the fair for free on June 14. Present a current EBT card or form (dated no earlier than July 1, 2016) at the will call booth at the O'Brien Gate for two free tickets.
School and Staff Appreciation Day
Receive four $5 admission vouchers to the fair when you present your school employee ID, teaching credentials or pay stub at any San Diego Mission Federal Credit Union branch starting June 1. School Staff Appreciation Days are June 16, June 23 and June 30.
Join a Contest
Kids and teens entered in any of the fair's Creative Youth cooking or craft contests, and adults participating in any Home &Hobby contests get free admission to the fair. Click the links for a full list of adult and kids contests.
Groupon Deals
Visit Groupon for limited-availability ticket deals and entertainment discounts.
O'Reilly's Auto Parts Weekday Admission Discount
Get two adult admission coupons for $24 at O'Reilly's Auto Parts stores in the county while supplies last. Find an O'Reilly's near you.
Metro PCS Sunday Concert Savings
Interested in any of the fair's Dia de la Familia Sunday concerts? You can pick up a $10 savings coupon for reserved seats at any county metro PCS store and redeem them at the fair's box office or through ticketmaster.
Discounts Just for Kids
Kids' Day
All children age 12 and under are admitted on the house on Kids' Day, June 27. Children age 6 to 12 are admitted to the fair on all other days for $11.
Reading Certificate Discount
Kids 12 and under can read 10 books, certified by a teacher or librarian, and bring their certificate on any day of the fair and get free admission.
Kids' Meal Deal
Several food vendors at the fair will offer an entree, side dish and soft drink to kids for $5.99. Look for Kids' Meal Deal signs at food booths inside the fair.
