Summer in San Diego means a few things: marine layer mornings, dodging traffic on the 5, and the glorious return of the San Diego County Fair! Running right now until July 5th, the 2026 fair is back at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
As local foodies who spend our days meticulously crafting flavor over fire in our Encinitas kitchen, we know a thing or two about good eats. The fair is the ultimate culinary playground, but it can be overwhelming. To help you navigate the chaos, we’ve put together the definitive local’s guide to the 17 attractions, wild eats, and must-see spots for your 2026 visit.
1. Pick Up a Bottle of San Diego Sauce
Before you even think about scanning your ticket at the gate, you need to be prepared. Grabbing a bottle of our signature San Diego Sauce is the undisputed #1 step for any fair trip. Blending smoky chipotle with a heavy garlic punch, this mild-medium sauce is designed for everyday flavor, not gimmicky pain. Toss it in your bag (we won’t tell) and drizzle it over your fair fries, giant turkey legs, or roasted corn. It is the ultimate local flavor hack!
You can find San Diego Sauce at the San Diego Marketplace in the Wyland building, along with all other San Diego Pepper Company products.
2. Enter the Magic at the “Once Upon a Fair” Exhibit
This year’s theme is all about magic, books, and storytelling. Start your day by walking through the official 2026 Theme Exhibit, which transforms the halls into a storybook wonderland. It’s a great, air-conditioned way to start your day before the food coma sets in.
3. Devour the Super Volcano Fries
Stop by Farmer in the Del for a mountain of crispy golden fries topped with kalua pork, beef bulgogi, lava sauce, sweet soy, chili crunch, and a fried egg. Pro-tip: If you want to kick the heat up a notch, this is where a dash of our 805 Heat hot sauce really shines.
4. Cool Down with a Pulparindo Dole Whip
Pineapple Dole Whip is a classic, but the geniuses at Candy Me Up have given it a SoCal street-snack twist. They top the icy treat with rich tamarind mango Pulparindo sauce and watermelon Salsaghetti. It’s sweet, tangy, salty, and totally San Diego.
5. Cheer at the Fair-tastic Food Finals
If you love culinary competitions as much as we do, head over to the Paddock Stage. The Fair-tastic Food Competition pits the best concessionaires against each other in sweet and savory categories.
6. Indulge in the Fabuloso Flan Funnel Cake
Forget regular powdered sugar. The team at the Fried Food Factory is serving up a golden funnel cake crowned with creamy Fabuloso Flan, caramel sauce, dulce de leche, and strawberries. It is a masterpiece of indulgent fair food.
7. Visit the Great American Petting Farm
You don’t need to be a kid to appreciate this. The Great American Petting Farm has absolutely no barriers inside the enclosure. You can walk right in and hang out with free-roaming farm animals.
8. Brave the Deep Fried Meatballs & Mozzarella
It wouldn’t be a trip to the fair without visiting Chicken Charlie’s. This year, they are taking Italian comfort food and putting it on a stick. It’s gooey, savory, and deep-fried to perfection.
9. Take Advantage of Foodie Fridays
Want to try the top 18 finalist foods without emptying your wallet? Hit the fair on a Friday between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. During Foodie Fridays, all of the wildest finalist foods are offered at half price!
10. Grab a Slice of Hot Honey Goat Cheese Pistachio Pizza
Sweet meets spicy and savory at Pat’s Pizza. The hot honey drizzle over tangy goat cheese and crunchy pistachios is an absolute revelation for pizza lovers.
11. Wander the Flower and Garden Shows
When you need a break from the deep fryer, wander through the beautifully landscaped Flower and Garden Shows. It’s a staple of the Del Mar fairgrounds and a great place to find some backyard inspiration.
12. Try the Humpty Dumpty Ramen Deviled Eggs
Playing perfectly into the “Once Upon a Fair” storybook theme, these savory deviled eggs are steeped in ramen broth flavors. They are as photogenic as they are delicious!
13. Catch a Grandstand Concert at The Sound
Nothing beats live music as the sun sets over the Pacific. Check the schedule for the Summer Nights at The Sound and end your evening singing along to some incredible headliners.
14. Treat Yourself to a Tres Leches Cinnamon Roll
The Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls have been a staple for decades. This year, they’re pairing their signature warm, gooey roll with a rich tres leches sauce and piloncillo sugar. It will change your life.
15. Be Amazed at the Student Showcase
San Diego is full of talented youth! Walk through the Student Showcase to see incredible woodworking, fine art, photography, and home hobbies crafted by local students.
16. Skip the Traffic with the MTS Fair Tripper
Don’t let parking ruin your vibe. We highly recommend grabbing the MTS Fair Tripper paper ticket. It includes your transit trip right to the gate and your admission to the fair, saving you money and massive headaches.
17. Ride the Ferris Wheel with a PEPSI Wristband
You have to ride the Ferris Wheel at least once to get that iconic view of the ocean. If you are a thrill-seeker, go on a Wednesday or Thursday and grab the PEPSI Pay-One-Price wristband for unlimited rides until 8 pm.
Before You Go: As you head out to enjoy the fair, remember to support local! Every time you buy a bottle from San Diego Pepper Company, you aren’t just getting small-batch, flavor-first hot sauce. You’re supporting a business that adopts local highways and donates to rescues like The Animal Pad.
Grabbing local foodie goods like San Diego Sauce, enjoying rides, and seeing animals are the best ways to spend time at the San Diego County Fair!