Fair Food & Drink

Food is one of the main reasons people visit the San Diego County Fair. Not only do we have the traditional "Fair fare," but we also offer some surprising upscale dining and sipping experiences. This page has information about table service meals, wine and beer tastings, ways to save on Fair food, Happy Hour specials, healthy eating and bringing your own food.

Click below for:
Fair Food Map [PDF document]
Fair Food By Food Type, plus Specialty/New Items [PDF document]
New Foods at the Fair

Get the Adobe Reader program, so you can download and print these PDF documents.

Enjoy a restaurant-style meal

Enjoy a gourmet or casual meal with table service.
Casual dining: Head to the Heineken Red Star Café any evening from 5:00PM to closing. The café is located on the second-floor outdoor patio on the west side of the Paddock. It overlooks the Plaza de Mexico on one side and the Paddock on the other. Or, you can enjoy a sit-down meal in air-conditioned comfort at Surfside Race Place, near the Chevrolet Del Mar Arena, Wednesdays through Sundays. We'll be showing World Cup soccer games every day at 11:30AM (through June 25; after that, game times to be determined).

Concert gourmet dinner packages: Enjoy a gourmet meal in the famed Turf Club, followed by a concert in the Grandstand. Many shows this year have a dinner package. See the Toyota Summer Concert Series listings for more information.

Tuesday Taste of the Fair

For you light eaters, or those who can't narrow down the list of foods you want to try, we are bringing back Tuesday Taste of the Fair. Each Tuesday, you can buy a taster's portion of a featured Fair food item for $2.00 at each food booth.
Tuesday Taste of the Fair offerings

Albertsons Rejuvenation Station

Our presenting sponsor, Albertsons, has a great food booth for those of you who crave some healthy eating. The Rejuvenation Station, located on Wyland Way between the Theme Exhibit and AgriFair, has fruit bowls, salads, Naked Juice, nuts and baked chips.

Ways to save on food and beverages

Every Friday is PennySaver Value Day, where each Fairgoer receives a booklet loaded with discounts at more than 60 Fair food and product vendors.

Also, look for the Kids' Meal Deal signs throughout the Fair at participating food vendors. The $5.99 meal includes an entrée, side dish and drink, plus a child's admission to each of the following venues with a paid adult admission, valid after July 5: Chula Vista Nature Center, Birch Aquarium, The New Children's Museum or the USS Midway Museum.

Beer Gardens and Bars

Alcohol is served in several "beer gardens" throughout the Fairgrounds. All ages may enter these areas; however, adults 21 and older must have photo ID to order and consume alcohol. The Cantina Bar is restricted to age 21 and older after 8:00PM, and the Coors Light Rock On Stage has separate areas for ages 21 and older, and younger attendees, so everyone can enjoy the music. These areas and their locations are:
Chevrolet Del Mar Arena, west side: Concessions and Beer
Sparkletts Water Infield: Beach-Bar and Wine Tasting in the San Diego Pavilion
Grandstand: Concessions stands with food, bars and beer during concerts
Coors Rock On Stage Beer Garden
Cantina Bar: between Exhibit Hall and Seaside Pavilion:
Bing's Beer: outside of Bing Crosby Hall
Tequila Bar: Flower & Garden Show
Paddock: Beer and Wine
O'Brien Pub (Paddock Area): Full Bar
Plaza de Mexico: Beer
Surfside Race Place: Full bar, and drink specials on Fridays with free Diamond Club membership

Happy Hour, 5:00-7:00PM, weekdays 

At the Red Star Café — Enjoy an Ensenada Style Beer-Battered Fish Taco with a 14oz. Tecate Draft Beer, or Grilled Bockwurst on a Bun Topped with Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with a 14oz. Heineken Draft Beer, either for $9.95.

Tour of Tastes Exhibit Bar — Half off a selected craft beer

At the Fair's beer gardens — Margaritas, $5.00; Draft Beer, Call Drinks & house wine $2.00 off. These specials also are offered in the Grandstand Terrace seats between 6:00-7:00PM. See the Grandstand page for information on how to purchase Terrace seats for concerts.

San Diego International Beer Festival

Sample from more than 300 beers entered into the San Diego International Beer Festival competition, Friday through Sunday, June 25-27. See the San Diego International Beer Festival page for additional information.

Beer, Wine & Tequila "fests" and tastings

Beer/Wine/Tequila "Fests" in the Paddock: A large number of microbrews, wine and tequilas are available, plus you can enjoy some entertainment on the Paddock Stage. Saturday, June 12, 19 and July 3, noon to 6:00PM, in the Paddock.

Beer and Tequila Tastings: Sample various craft brews every day at 2:00PM in the Tour of Tastes Exhibit Bar. Taste Camarena Silver and Camarena Reposado Tequila every day at 1:00PM, $5.00, in the Tequila Bar in the Flower & Garden Show.

Red Diamond Wine Tasting: July 2-4 from noon to 8:00PM in the Paddock. The multi-faceted Red Diamond wines showcase the unique personality of Washington's grapes, with a stylish Merlot, a confident Cabernet, a bold Shiraz and a smooth Chardonnay. These are easy-drinking and food-friendly wines, ideal for any social occasion.

Wine Tasting, Culinary Series

Each day in the Sparkletts Water Infield are two food events: The Culinary Series, where local chefs demonstrate how to create a special dish; and Wine Tasting, sponsored by the San Diego County Vintners Association. Please see the Sparkletts Water Infield page for additional information.

Did you know you can bring your own food?

If you have special dietary needs (or your child will eat only jelly sandwiches), you may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages. Please see the Guest Services page "Can I Bring" for more information on what is allowed and what isn't.

Back to Attractions page.