Parking during the 2009 San Diego County Fair

The San Diego County Fair is over for 2009. We had tons of fun, and we hope you did, too! We have left the information about the 2009 Fair on the Web site so that you'll have an idea of what it's all about. Much of this information will disappear at the end of 2009 when we will have the re-designed Web site featuring the 2010 Fair theme. Please check back in April or May, 2010, for updated information on activities at the 2010 San Diego County Fair.

Parking for 12,000 vehicles is in parking lots on either side of Jimmy Durante Boulevard. Free tram service runs throughout the parking lots to the admission gates. For those who would like to save money, the Fair offers daily, free, off-site parking (scroll down for information).

Parking in the Fair's paid lots

$10.00 per vehicle

$15.00 per RV or motorhome

Paid parking lots open at 8:00AM on weekends and July 3; 9:00AM on other days

Preferred parking is offered close to the Fair's main entrance for $15.00 per vehicle (no motorhomes). To reach the preferred parking area, drive south on Jimmy Durante Boulevard past the entrance to the main parking lot and follow the signs.

Motorcycles have a separate parking area in a small traffic circle on the north side of the main parking lot. The cost to park a motorcycle is $10.00.

We do not have same-day in-and-out privileges in our paid parking lots. If you need to leave and return the same day, you will need to pay again for parking (remember to have your hand stamped for re-admission to the Fair itself). We recommend that you use our free parking at the Horsepark lot (see below).

Dropping someone off? The San Diego County Fair has a drop-off and pick-up area on the east side of its main parking lot, just inside the main entrance. Persons using this lot must remain with their vehicle. When picking up people, please use cell phones if possible to alert your party you are nearing the Fairgrounds.

The Automobile Club of Southern California will offer free emergency road service to all guests (battery jump and keys-locked-in-car services). It is available every day in the Fair’s parking lots from noon to 9:00PM. (Not available in the off-site lots.)

Free Off-Site Parking and Shuttle Service

During the Fair, free parking is available at three off-site lots, one that is open each day of the Fair and two that are open on weekends and July 3.

For the off-site lots, the following applies:

Buses leave every 15-20 minutes.

No eating, drinking or smoking on the buses.

Off-site lots are lighted.

Lift-equipped buses are available.

The service is free — no charge for parking, no charge for the shuttle.

No long walks — buses drop off and pick up at the O'Brien Gate, informally known as the "main gate."

Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real, Del Mar
Offered every day that the Fair is open. Employee shuttle begins at 7:15AM; public shuttles begin at 9:00AM. Buses operate until midnight, except for Friday and Saturday night, when they operate until 1:00AM. Horsepark Equestrian Center is at the corner of El Camino Real and Via de la Valle, about two miles east of Interstate 5 at the Via de la Valle exit.

MiraCosta College's San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff
Offered weekends and Friday, July 3, from 9:00AM to 1:00AM. MiraCosta College's San Elijo Campus is just east of Interstate 5 at the Manchester Avenue exit. Watch for directional signs along the freeway and leading to the parking lot.

Torrey Pines High School, 3710 Del Mar Heights Rd., Del Mar
Offered weekends and Friday, July 3, from 9:00AM to 1:00AM. Torrey Pines High School is east of Interstate 5 at the Del Mar Heights Road exit. Watch for directional signs along the freeway and leading to the parking lot.