Game On: Your Ultimate Guide to the San Diego County Fair 2013

Written by Christine Domingo

Get your game faces on and ready for this year’s San Diego County Fair in Del Mar! You don’t want to miss out on the general awesomeness the Fair brings every year.  

The theme, “Game On” will feature classic games and its evolution from board games to digital age video games.  

Patch compiled a list of everything you need to know from transportation to concerts. We got you covered.  

Dates and hours: The Fair will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8 and will run until Thursday, July 4. June hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Hours on July 1, 2 and 3 are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and July 4 is 10 a.m. to midnight.  

Parking and Transportation: 
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd  Del Mar, CA 92014

• Cars: $10 (cash only)
• RV or motorhome:  $20 (cash only)
• Paid parking lots open at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday; 9 a.m. on other days.
• Free parking is available at three off-site lots with shuttle service every 15-20 minutes. The Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real, shuttle services start at 9 a.m. on weekends and 10 a.m. on the weekday. MiraCosta College's San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., offers shuttles on Saturday, Sunday and July from from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Torrey Pines High School, 3710 Del Mar Heights Rd., on Saturday, Sunday and July 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Fair Tripper Ticket: $15 includes round trip tickets on the COASTER, SPRINTER or BREEZE and Fair admission. Tickets are available online or at NCTD vending machines.

Tickets:

• Season Pass: $24
• Adults: $14
• Seniors (62 and older): $8
• Kids (6 to 12): $8
• Kids (5 and younger): Free
• Discounted tickets: $12 adult admission tickets are available at Albertsons in San Diego County. Senior and Kids tickets are available for sale at regular prices. Grab your tickets ahead of time and skip the lines.

Patch Picks for Can't Miss Events at the San Diego County Fair:

Farmers Insurance Fire Expo: Viejas Casino will host the largest firefighters event including firefighter demolition derby, demonstrations, Burn Run parade of fire trucks, fire safety exhibits and booths at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.  

Taste of the Fair: Grab a bite and have a little bit of everything every Tuesday the fair is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A smaller portion of fair food will be available for $2.  

Del Mar Classic Amateur Horse Show: Amateur riders will compete with classes for 4H, Grange and FFA members of California in English and Western equestrian classes from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at the Del Mar Arena.
 
Unemployment Day: Have you been unemployed the last year? You and a guest will receive free admission into the fair. Bring your unemployment check stub between the dates of July 2012–June 2013 and ID the will-call window next to the O’Brien Gate on June 18 and 25. The offer is also good for Golden State Advantage Cardholders.  

Belly Up Music Festival: The Belly Up nightclub will host musicians and bands including on Thursday, June 13, June 20 and June 27  at the Coors Light Rock-On Stage. See the full list of bands by clicking the above dates.

Chubby Checker: Boogie down and do the twist with Chubby Checker. The song, The Twist exploded into the 1960s music scene and dance floors all across the country. The performance will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 20 at the Showcase Stage.  

San Diego International Beer Festival: Cheers! The 6th Annual San Diego International Beer Festival will feature 350 beers and 150 breweries from around the world. The three-day event will be from noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 23 at the Del Mar Arena.  

Red Bull Motorsports Spectacular: If you’re a fan of extreme sports, the Motorsports Spectacular is just for you. The event will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Del Mar Arena on Wednesday, June 26.  

Lyvyn Skynyrd: A tribute band to rock and roll group Lynyrd Skynyrd will take the Coors Light Rock-On Stage at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 28.  

9th Annual Gospel Festival featuring Mary Mary and Dottie Peoples: The Gospel Festival will be a day long event with musical guests appearing on five different stages throughout the fair on Saturday, June 29. The Festival end with a concert by Mary Mary and Dottie Peoples on the Heineken Grandstand Stage.  

Demo Derby: Watch demolition cars crash into each other and battle it out until the last car is standing from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 30.  

Monster Trucks: The loudest and toughest monster trucks will rumble into the Fair from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday, July 1 until Thursday, July 4 at the Del Mar Arena.  
Paramount's Laser Spectacular: A colorful show with a concert, state-of-the-art laser technology, special effects and more will feature the music of Pink Floyd at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 at Paddock Stage.    

Summer Concert Series: Rock out with bands and musicians from all over the world on the Heineken Grandstand Stage. Tickets are available online on Ticketmaster.

• June 8 – The Beach Boys. Free with Fair admission for selected areas (third and fourth levels and standing areas near the stage.) Reserved seating and dinner packages are available for purchase. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• June 20 – Martina McBride. Ticket purchase is required through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $21 to $121 and includes fair admission. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• June 21 – Colbie Callat.  Free with Fair admission for selected areas (third and fourth levels and standing areas near the stage.) Reserved seating and dinner packages are available for purchase. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• June 23 – Grupo Intocable. Free with Fair admission for selected areas (third and fourth levels and standing areas near the stage.) Reserved seating and dinner packages are available for purchase. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• June 25 – Bad Company. Ticket purchase is required through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $25 to $143 and includes fair admission. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• June 27 – Train. Ticket purchase is required through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $31 to $154 and includes fair admission. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• June 28 – Kendrick Lamar. Ticket purchase is required through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $21 to $50 and includes fair admission. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• June 29 – 9th Annual Gospel Festival featuring Mary Mary and Dottie Peoples.  Free with Fair admission for selected areas (third and fourth levels and standing areas near the stage.) Reserved seating and dinner packages are available for purchase. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• July 1 – "Weird Al" Yankovic. Free with Fair admission for selected areas (third and fourth levels and standing areas near the stage.) Reserved seating and dinner packages are available for purchase. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• July 2 – Adam Lambert. Ticket purchase is required through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $21 to $139 and includes fair admission. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.
• July 3 – Joan Jett. Ticket purchase is required through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $23 to $34 and includes fair admission. Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.