San Diego Fair: Deals and discounts for the frugal fairgoer

Fairgoers, have no fear. There are plenty of discounts, coupons and savings to be used at the San Diego County Fair this season.

Click here for the 2013 Fair discounts and deals.

With budgets being a little tight lately, it seems only logical to take advantage of the oodles of deals to enjoy the fair. Getting your hands on cheap tickets is as easy as going to the local Albertsons or purchasing a value pack.

The San Diego County Fair, presented by Albertsons/Sav-on, has many ways the frugal fairgoer can save money on admission, rides and even food.

Normally adult tickets run $13 a piece, 62 and older are $7, ages 6-12 are $7, and children under 5 are free. But for the frequent fair-attendee paying these prices each time can get a bit pricey. The fair now offers the season pass, the “Best Pass Ever,” which is $22 and good until the last day, July 5. Paying $22 is the equivalent of paying only $1 if the fair was attended every open day.

Adult admission tickets can be purchased for $11 at your local Albertsons any day. That’s a two dollar discount, and regular priced children and senior tickets can be acquired there as well.

The San Diego County Fair provides a three-day pass, it can be purchased at the fair’s box office window and can save adults $10. This pass is good for any of the days the fair is open.

A variety of packs are also available. One of them being the value pack, $51, and includes: 4adult admission tickets, 4 drink coupons and 20 ride tickets. This package is a 45 percent savings. Or a value pack can be purchased at Costco for $54 and includes 30 more ride tickets and a parking pass.

For those that enjoy coming to the fair for the rides, a Ride-Lovers pack is offered for $39.95 and includes: 1 adult admission, 1 drink coupon and 50 ride tickets. This package saves ride-lovers 27 percent.

Tuesdays are the days to come and taste the food as more than 100 food vendors will offer treats for $2. This is the perfect opportunity to try a little bit of everything offered to eat at the fair.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays at the fair, the Pepsi Pay-One-Price ride will be going on. Wristbands are available for unlimited access to the Fun Zone and Kiddieland from 12- 8 p.m. Are available for $30. These wristbands are a cheap way to enjoy all the rides and can be purchased online before coming to the fair.

For the first time ever, the fair is offering a Military package which includes: 1 parking pass, 2 one-time-use admission tickets, and two drink coupons. These tickets can only be purchased on a base with proper Military ID.

Everyday free parking is available at the fair’s off-site location, the Horsepark on the corner of Via de la Valle and El Camino Real. A shuttle runs from that location to the front gate of the fair from 9 a.m. to close (midnight and 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays). On the weekends and July 2 and 5, free parking and a shuttle will also be available at Torrey Pines High school and MiraCosta College’s San Elijo campus.

Additional information on deals and discounts can be found here at the sdfair.com website. To see all the Summer events, concerts and activities read the San Diego Entertainer’s coverage of the 2010 “Taste the Fun” at the SD Fair.

Photos courtesy of SD Fair