Top 10 San Diego County Fair Picks
Let's start by saying that everyone has their own favorite "what to do/see/eat" when they go to the San Diego County Fair. And it often is determined by age/gender guidelines: as a kid, you don't want to waste time at the garden show, you want to go straight to the Fun Zone. So these picks are totally subjective. But at least it's a starting point. And the point is to have fun! Check out the San Diego Fair image gallery here.
Hey, it's a fair. You have to head to the animal barns, especially to see the farm animals. Cattle, sheep, pigs and goats on display in the barns; dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, reptiles and other small animals in the pet care center weekends. A county fair without animals just wouldn't be the same. You can see animals on display, farm equipment, animal shows and of course, the ever-popular Junior Livestock Auction, where San Diego County's young people auction the animals they have hand-raised during the past year.More »
"Cruisin' California," the 2011 Theme Exhibit is all about cars! Each week of the Fair will have a totally different car theme. This exhibit, which is presented by Jeffrey Scott Fine Magnetics, is just west of the O'Brien Gate (the main entrance gate to the Fair). Each weekend of the Fair, the Theme Exhibit will have a car show, with one "star" car featured. NASCAR fans will want to get behind the wheel and drive like Jimmy Johnson and Dale Earnhart Jr. in the NASCAR Simulator. There's also a NASCAR Photo Op.More »
Home and Hobby competition is the very origin of the county fair. The San Diego County Fair has hundreds of divisions and classes that award ribbons, cash and prizes for the best homemade food, clothing and decorative items. One of the oldest exhibits at the Fair is the Exhibition of Fine Art. Amateur adult brewmasters may enter their homemade beer, mead, cider and perry to win ribbons and prizes. Licensed microbreweries may compete in the San Diego International Beer Festival. The 30th annual Design In Wood competition will feature spectacular creations from wood, including violins, furniture, toys, and more.More »
A nice place to wind down from the hectic midway and take in some natural beauty. Get some environmental tips at the Green is Easy exhibit. There's an eye-catching exhibit on garden bugs and safe pest control. And of course, gardens and landscapes designed for this year's Garden theme. The Flower & Garden Show theme, "Riding in Style," will closely compliment the Fair's theme, "Race to the Fair." The Flower & Garden show entrance presentation will convey both themes in one exhibit. The featured landscape display design represents a checkered flag of plant material and a living wall.More »
It's just not a County Fair without rides and games, and the San Diego County Fair has the best. The Fun Zone has 39 exciting rides, Kiddieland has more than 40, and you'll find nearly 40 different types of games of skill in both locations. The San Diego County Fair has a special place for family fun — the Infield. The emphasis here is on kids and activities the whole family will enjoy. Like the rest of the Fair, the entire Infield is a smoke-free zone.More »
In addition, depending on the day, are contests like the Baby Derby, Bubble Gum Blowing, Jalapeno Pepper Eating, Frozen T-Shirt, and Ballroom Dance.More »
Bruno Mars, the Doobie Brothers, Pat Benatar, Melissa Ethridge, Neon Trees, Willie Nelson are just a few of the grandstand headliners scheduled for 2011. For non-headliner, but equally entertaining, music, try hitting the Coors Light Rock-On Stage and the Chevrolet Paddock Series shows.More »
1. Animals
Hey, it's a fair. You have to head to the animal barns, especially to see the farm animals. Cattle, sheep, pigs and goats on display in the barns; dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, reptiles and other small animals in the pet care center weekends. A county fair without animals just wouldn't be the same. You can see animals on display, farm equipment, animal shows and of course, the ever-popular Junior Livestock Auction, where San Diego County's young people auction the animals they have hand-raised during the past year.More »
2. Bing Crosby Hall
It slices! It dices! It'll save you time and money! It's easy to use. There's nothing better than wandering Bing Crosby Hall to take in the vendors and hucksters selling their wares. Some of the product demos are quite entertaining ("As seen on TV!") and others are more "What in the world?" Then there's the stuff you say, "I've been looking for one of those!" It's great fun...but buyer beware!More »3. "Cruisin' California" Theme Exhibit
"Cruisin' California," the 2011 Theme Exhibit is all about cars! Each week of the Fair will have a totally different car theme. This exhibit, which is presented by Jeffrey Scott Fine Magnetics, is just west of the O'Brien Gate (the main entrance gate to the Fair). Each weekend of the Fair, the Theme Exhibit will have a car show, with one "star" car featured. NASCAR fans will want to get behind the wheel and drive like Jimmy Johnson and Dale Earnhart Jr. in the NASCAR Simulator. There's also a NASCAR Photo Op.More »
4. Racing Pigs, Ostriches and Mini Dogs
Swifty Swine Racing Pigs: Root for your favorite porker to bring home the bacon at Hamhock Downs in the Durante area daily. Hey, where else you gonna see racing pigs? Plus, the Fido 500 Mini Dog Races, the only mini dog races in the country, and the Turkey Stampede - both races take place every day. There are also the ostrich and camel races. Gotta love racing animals!More »5. Home and Hobby Competitions
Home and Hobby competition is the very origin of the county fair. The San Diego County Fair has hundreds of divisions and classes that award ribbons, cash and prizes for the best homemade food, clothing and decorative items. One of the oldest exhibits at the Fair is the Exhibition of Fine Art. Amateur adult brewmasters may enter their homemade beer, mead, cider and perry to win ribbons and prizes. Licensed microbreweries may compete in the San Diego International Beer Festival. The 30th annual Design In Wood competition will feature spectacular creations from wood, including violins, furniture, toys, and more.More »
6. Flower and Garden Show
A nice place to wind down from the hectic midway and take in some natural beauty. Get some environmental tips at the Green is Easy exhibit. There's an eye-catching exhibit on garden bugs and safe pest control. And of course, gardens and landscapes designed for this year's Garden theme. The Flower & Garden Show theme, "Riding in Style," will closely compliment the Fair's theme, "Race to the Fair." The Flower & Garden show entrance presentation will convey both themes in one exhibit. The featured landscape display design represents a checkered flag of plant material and a living wall.More »
7. Rides and Games
It's just not a County Fair without rides and games, and the San Diego County Fair has the best. The Fun Zone has 39 exciting rides, Kiddieland has more than 40, and you'll find nearly 40 different types of games of skill in both locations. The San Diego County Fair has a special place for family fun — the Infield. The emphasis here is on kids and activities the whole family will enjoy. Like the rest of the Fair, the entire Infield is a smoke-free zone.More »
8. Just For Fun Contests
Besides animals and corndogs, the Fair is all about those just-for-fun events. And this year is no different, starting with those fan favorite contests: Best Animal Noise contest, Coco's Pie Eating Contest, and the Three O'Clock Fun Contests of sack races, hula hoops and more. All of those contests take place daily.In addition, depending on the day, are contests like the Baby Derby, Bubble Gum Blowing, Jalapeno Pepper Eating, Frozen T-Shirt, and Ballroom Dance.More »
9. Food, Food, Food
Of course, there's the plethora of usuals...corn dogs, BBQ, every conceivable dessert...and every year there's one item that becomes the talk of the Fair (remember the deep-fried Twinkies and Snickers?). What will it be this year? In addition to the world's largest barbecue in the racetrack infield, look for the grilled caesar salad, deep-fried White Castle burgers, fish sliders, and deep fried mac-and-cheese on a stick. Ohhhh, yeahhhhh...More »10. Grandstand Concerts
Bruno Mars, the Doobie Brothers, Pat Benatar, Melissa Ethridge, Neon Trees, Willie Nelson are just a few of the grandstand headliners scheduled for 2011. For non-headliner, but equally entertaining, music, try hitting the Coors Light Rock-On Stage and the Chevrolet Paddock Series shows.More »
