San Diego County Fair: Maps & Directions

Parking during 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.
Information on free park-and-shuttle lots

Parking in the Fair's paid lots

• $10.00 per vehicle, cash only
• $15.00 per RV or motorhome, cash only
• Paid parking lots open at 8:00AM on weekends; 9:00AM on other days
• Preferred parking: $15.00 per vehicle (no motorhomes; cash only). 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: $10.00, cash only, with a separate parking area in a small traffic circle on the north side of the main parking lot.
• 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? Use the drop-off and pick-up area on the east side of the main parking lot, just inside the lot's entrance. Persons using this lot must remain with their vehicle. When picking up people, please use cell phones (if possible; please obey cell phone laws) 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). Available every day in the Fair’s parking lots from noon to 8:00PM. (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, July 2 and July 5.

Certain items may not be brought into the Fair, and may be confiscated at the gate. Because you will not be able to easily return these items to your car if you park off-site, please read our Can I Bring... page before you come.

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 on weekends; 10:00AM weekdays (one hour before the Fair opens). 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.

On Tuesday, June 15, when the Fair has its $3 Tuesday admission promotion, additional parking will be available at this location.

MiraCosta College's San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff
Offered weekends; Friday, July 2; and Monday, July 5, 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. (Scroll down for map to location.)

Torrey Pines High School, 3710 Del Mar Heights Rd., Del Mar
Offered weekends; Friday, July 2; and Monday, July 5, 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. (Scroll down for map to location.)

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."