Patrons with Disabilities

Parking

Accessible parking exceeding what is required by law is provided in our Main Parking Lot off Jimmy Durante Boulevard with paid parking ($10; $20 for RVs). All parking is first-come, first-served.

Free parking & accessible transportation are available at Horsepark every day that the Fair is open. This also is available at our off-site parking lots that operate on weekends. Please see our parking page for details.

The San Diego County Fair is accessible by Public Transit and Access/Lift. For more information call (619) 233-3004 or your Para-transit provider.

Admission policies, accessible entrances, wheelchair rental

One companion or personal assistant is admitted at the admission gate at no charge with the paid admission of the disabled person. (Please note: This courtesy does not extend to admission at concerts that require tickets or midway rides.)

Accessible entrances to the Fair are the O'Brien and West Gates. The O'Brien Gate is closest to accessible parking and off-site parking lot shuttles. The West Gate is where the North County Transit District buses stop.

Map noting accessible routes and TDD locations are available at Information Booths & Guest Services: map of accessible routes

Wheelchair and electric scooter rental locations are at the O'Brien and Arena Gates. Motorized scooters may be reserved in advance. Please see the Strollers, Wheelchairs, Lockers page for prices and important information. Guests with disabilities are permitted to bring in motorized scooters with three or more wheels to be used as a mobility device. Arena Gate is surrounded by a hard dirt surface which can be maneuvered by most wheelchairs, but doesn't fully comply with the ADA definition of an accessible path of travel.

Grandstand Seating and Ride Policies

Grandstand concert seating policies: Early line-up and admission is provided for people needing assistance. People requesting assistance should arrive two hours prior to the concert at the third floor of the Grandstand. Wait in the foyer to be seated inside the grandstand. The person with a disability will be allowed early access with four companions. (For paid shows and reserved-seat sections of other shows, everyone will need to have a ticket). Additional family members or friends will need to wait in line with the rest of the public. Please note: on July 4, two companions will be allowed to accompany the disabled patron into ADA seating. Saving of more than two seats is prohibited. Questions can be answered at the Ticket Office or call the ADA Coordinator at (858) 792-4217. The ADA Coordinator, her staff and ambassadors (staff in blue shirts or jackets) will be present for any assistance that may be needed. The PDF document (link below) has more information about concert policies. If you have trouble downloading it, please contact the ADA coordinator at the phone number or email address below. Seating and ticket-buying information for Fairgoers with disabilities

Fun Zone and Kiddieland rides policies: Insurance requires all individuals on a ride to pay. ADA law does not require that the Fair allow free admission on rides for individuals assisting a person with a disability. (Note: the San Diego County Fair gives free admission for assistants at the entrance gates only.) Individuals with a disability may ride on any ride when they meet the following criteria:
• If they can board in a manner that the ride requires without the help of the operator or other Fair patron; and
• If they meet the requirements set forth by the manufacturer of the ride.

Other services

A private restroom large enough for a wheelchair plus a caregiver is available at Guest Services.

Guest Services and the Information Booths distribute wristbands designed for children and adults who may become separated from their parents or guardians. A cell phone number can be written on the inside of the wristband. If the person with the wristband gets separated, that individual will be taken to Guest Services, where personnel will call the number on the wristband. For more information about this, please see the Lost Items and Children page of this website.

Service dogs are welcome at the Fair. Relief areas are designated with signs in four locations: on the west side of Bing Crosby Hall, between the hall and the Seaside Pavilion; Paddock area; in the Infield by the restrooms near the racetrack; and across from the southeast corner of the Livestock Barn.
Download copy of map noting service animal relief areas.

Reasonable accommodations for most services can be provided with at least 72 hours of notice. Please allow at least two weeks' notice for American Sign Language interpreter service. If additional assistance is needed, please contact Amy Billburg 858-792-4217 or abillburg@sdfair.com. All messages will be returned as soon as possible. Please allow 72 hours for a response. If immediate assistance is needed, please call our 24-hour dispatch number, 858-792-4271. They will be able to contact staff members who will be able to assist.