A San Diego Summer at the San Diego Fair 2011

If you live in San Diego, travel to San Diego or know San Diego… you know it’s officially summer when the Fair opens for business! and with today being the first day of summer for 2011… I wanted to talk a little about the Race To The Fair the San Diego County Fair 2011.

I’m a San Diego native; I grew up going to the Del Mar San Diego Fair every year and even had a bit of nostalgia when I finally got my tummy to stop turning when I saw some of the rides that my sister and I went on over (and over and over). I remember the days of pink wristbands and running from the Gravitron to the Pirate Ship then back to the Haunted House then over to the thing that flips you up and down and swings you like a rag doll. I remember eating some of the food but as a teenager, all we wanted to do was head straight to the Fun Zone.

It has been a few years since I’ve been to the Fair. I know it’s been at least 4 years… maybe 5 and then before that? I have a very vivid memory of walking around very pregnant with my first son– that would be the time that I started to appreciate the food over the rides.

This year we were invited by the San Diego Fair to check out the sights, sounds, rides and food so we packed up the little guys (neither of them have ever been) and we hoped for the best. Quite a bit has changed since I was last at the fair… the metal detectors are a nice addition (great for my peace of mind), there are trash cans every 10 steps (just like at Disneyland), some guy named Chicken Charlie started deep frying everything in sight and became famous. Who knew?! Okay, he has been there a really long time. Again, I liked the rides, not the food… until recently.

Chicken Charlie's is the most popular food vendor at the San Diego Fair

We tried the Deep Fried Strawberry Twinkie (I say we but really it was my husband) and me, being the good girl that I am, opted for the Chicken Kabob. I did have a teensy bite of the Twinkie and it was pretty good (I’m not used to sweets anymore) but that Kabob? H.E.L.L.O! I was in heaven and super pissed that I ate lunch before heading to the Fair. What was I thinking? Well, I was trying to be good that’s what I was thinking.

Then I met the sweetest lady I think I will ever meet in my life. Carmel is the owner of Australian Battered Potatoes and has been at the San Diego Fair for over 25 years! She oogled over my children then brought us a plate of her Battered Potatoes (I had a few bites, I had to… she was just too sweet) and just chatted with us like she was a longtime friend.

Carmel and Me (after she ran to get her shades and hat! How cute is she?)

Note to self: Don’t stand with my arm pushed against my side like that ever again.

After the food coma… we ventured over to the Fun Zone since my 3.5-year-old is an aspiring thrill seeker and would rather watch the crazy rides that mommy used to go on and that he will never be allowed to go on while mommy is within 20 miles from the Fair than go to Kiddie Zone where it’s appropriate for his age. We spent some time watching the roller coaster (cause he swore it was a train) and then a very determined Carnival Guy caught our attention and got us to play Crack The Plate.

The 3.5-year-old playing Crack the Plate

Surprisingly, the child actually cracked a plate…

The cracked plate

Then the toddler gave it a try…

He almost took out the poor Carnival dude

And both boys got a new fish!

Then Daddy spotted the Hoops game which was perfect cause I had my eyes on the Angry Bird prize…

Get IN there! Mama wants an Angry Bird!

But… he needs to practice his game a bit more because I left empty handed.

We were hoping to stay a little longer but you know how two cranky kids get when it’s almost naptime. Instead we plan to go back with just our 8-year-old and check out the animals, exhibits, get some shopping time in for Mom and maybe ride a few rides. Well see about that one…

Facts about the San Diego County Fair:

• 2011 is the 75th year for the Fair
• The San Diego Fair is open from June 10th – July 4th
• Hours: Open weekdays at 11:00am – Saturday and Sunday (and July 4th) at 10:00am – Closed Mondays (except July 4th)
• Ticket prices: Adults $13 – Ages 62 and older $7 – Ages 6-12 $7 – Ages 5 and under are FREE
• Discount tickets are available at Albertsons (and the closest Albertsons is on Via De La Valle just east of the 5 Freeway)
• Fun Zone and Kiddie Land: Most rides are 3-6 coupons.
• Ride Coupon Costs: 1 coupon $0.75 – 28 coupons $20 – 72 coupons $50 – Pay One Price Ride days are Wednesday and Thursday for a $30 wristband
• Parking: Parking costs $10 for regular vehicles – $15 for motorhomes and oversized vehicles – $15 for preferred parking
• Free Parking and Free Shuttles: Free parking and free shuttle service is located at Horsepark Equestrian Center daily and at Mira Costa College or Torrey Pines High School on Saturdays, Sundays, July 1 & 4.

Special Days:

• June 28th – Kids Day Tuesday! Children 12 and under are free!
• Every Tuesdays – Taste of the Fair! Try a “taste” at every food vendor for $2 each vendor
• Every Wednesday and Thursday – Pepsi Pay-One-Price Ride Day! Unlimited rides in the Fun Zone and Kiddie Land with the purchase of a $30 wristband
• Every Wednesday and Thursday – Buck A Game! Play a carnival game for only $1
• Every Friday- Penny Saver Day! Receive a free coupon book with over $500 in savings

Mommy loves Coffee Tips:

• Don’t go around naptime.
• Bring a camera!
• Come hungry and check out Chicken Charlie’s and Australian Battered Potatoes (and tell Carmel I said Hello!)
• Pay the extra $5 for the Preferred Parking! It’s SO close to the entrance and well worth the few extra $$.
• If you plan to ride a lot of rides, go on the wristband days as it can add up pretty fast.
• Plan your escape route if you don’t want to be courted by the Carnival Guys. or brush up on your hoop skills and get an Angry Bird.
• Check out the Concerts and other special events as there are so many things happening each day. Click HERE for the Toyota Concert Series at the Grandstand Stage.