SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — You'll save yourself some grief if you follow the yellow brick road straight to the Del Mar Fairgrounds this summer for the fair.
The fairgrounds are sure to be packed throughout the summertime for the San Diego County Fair, but don't fret. There are always methods to getting to the fair without a headache.
(Check up-to-date traffic conditions here.)
Besides ride-sharing services or carpooling, drivers should plan to get to their day at the fair early to beat the rush. On-site and off-site parking options allow attendees to park close and walk in or shuttle in from another lot to avoid traffic close to the entrance.
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Public transportation will also lead fair-goers right to the front gate.
Plan out your journey with this break down of where parking is available and how to get to the fairgrounds via mass transit.
ON-SITE
On-site parking at any of the fairgrounds' parking lots will cost $17 for general parking or $27 for preferred parking. Cash or credit are accepted.
On-site parking lots will open at:
- 9 a.m. daily (two hours before fair gates open), unless listed otherwise
- 1 p.m. on Opening Day (May 31)
- 8 a.m. on July 4
Trams will provide service to lots continuously throughout the day. All on-site parking lots close an hour after the fairgrounds close. Oversized vehicles, such as RVs, are not permitted.
OFF-SITE
Off-site parking will be available at the fairgrounds' horse park for $5, and for free at Torrey Pines High School and MiraCosta College San Elijo at the following times:
- May 31: Only horse park parking open 1 p.m. to closing.
- Saturdays: All lots open from 9 a.m. to closing.
- Sunday: All lots open from 9 a.m. to closing.
- Wednesday-Fridays (June 5 - 14): Only horse park parking open 9 a.m. to closing.
- Wednesday-Fridays (June 19 -. 28): Horse park parking open 9 a.m. to closing, and Torrey Pines High parking open 12 p.m. to closing.
- Monday-Wednesday (July 1 - 3): All lots open from 9 a.m. to closing.
- July 4: Horse park open 8 a.m. to closing, and Torrey Pines High and MiraCosta lots open 9 a.m. to closing.
Free shuttle services will be available from off-site lots to the main fairgrounds gate. Off-site lots close about an hour after the fairgrounds close and are lighted.
The fairgrounds also encourages drivers to tune into AM 1680 for up-to-date parking information. Lots are open on a space-available basis.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
On North County Transit District:
- Coaster: From Oceanside Transit Center to Santa Fe Depot, with stops in downtown Carlsbad, Poinsettia Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Sorrento Valley and Old Town. Fair guests will stop at the Solana Beach and ride Special Route 408 to the West Gate.
- Sprinter: From Oceanside Transit Center and Escondido Transit Center with stops in Oceanside, Vista and San Marcos. Fair guests can connect with the Coaster in Oceanside, or connect to Special Breeze Route 408 from Escondido.
- Breeze Route: From Oceanside and La Jolla on Highway 101, Breeze 101 runs roughly parallel to the COASTER route. It can be taken to the corner of Via de la Valle and Highway 101. Riders will have to walk about half a mile to the West Gate. Breeze 101 also connects the Special Route 408 at Lomas Santa Fe in Solana Beach.
- Special Breeze Route 408: From Escondido Transit Center and West Gate. Route 408 also goes between west gate and Solana Beach train station.
On San Diego MTS:
- Blue Line: From San Ysidro to Coaster at downtown San Diego Santa Fe Depot. Coaster riders can head to Solana Beach station and connect with Special Breeze Route 408 to West Gate.
- Orange Line: From El Cajon to Coaster at downtown San Diego Santa Fe Depot. Coaster riders can head to Solana Beach station and connect with Special Breeze Route 408 to West Gate.
- Green Line: From Santee to Coaster at downtown San Diego Santa Fe Depot. Coaster riders can head to Solana Beach station and connect with Special Breeze Route 408 to West Gate. Also connects with Coaster at Old Town station.
On Amtrak:
- Pacific Surfliner runs from San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles Union station, and San Diego Santa Fe Depot. It makes a stop in Solana Beach, where fair riders can disembark.
