Let's start by saying that everyone has their own favorite "what to do/see/eat" when they go to the San Diego County Fair. And it often is determined by age/gender guidelines: as a kid, you don't want to waste time at the garden show, you want to go straight to the Fun Zone. So these picks are totally subjective. But at least it's a starting point. And the point is to have fun! Check out the San Diego Fair image gallery here.
1. Animals
Hey, it's a fair. You have to head to the animal barns, especially to see the farm animals. Daily: Barnyard Babies; calf baby bottle feedings in Barn X and milking demos. Cattle, sheep, pigs and goats on display in the barns; dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, reptiles and other small animals in the pet care center weekends.2. Bing Crosby Hall
It slices! It dices! It'll save you time and money! It's easy to use. There's nothing better than wandering Bing Crosby Hall to take in the vendors and hucksters selling their wares. Some of the product demos are quite entertaining ("As seen on TV!") and others are more "What in the world?" Then there's the stuff you say, "I've been looking for one of those!" It's great fun...but buyer beware!3. Summer of Sport Exhibit and Appearances
The Summer of Sports Exhibit at the San Diego County Fair will be the centerpiece of the theme, celebrating athletics and sportsmanship in our county and beyond. This exhibit is just west of the O'Brien Gate (the main entrance gate to the Fair). Appearances by notable athletes will happen each day, and will include many very famous athletes from a variety of sports.You can meet a sports hero, and hear them tell stories of their lives and careers. The Fair will have several well-known athletes each day of the Fair — people such as baseball great Tony Gwynn, track and field star Steve Scott, boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, soccer champion Shannon MacMillan, jockey Julie Krone and off-road racer Ivan "The Ironman" Stewart.
4. Racing Pigs, Ostriches and Mini Dogs
Swifty Swine Racing Pigs: Root for your favorite porker to bring home the bacon at Hamhock Downs in the Durante area daily. Hey, where else you gonna see racing pigs? Plus, the Fido 500 Mini Dog Races, the only mini dog races in the country, and the Turkey Stampede - both races take place every day. There are also the ostrich and camel races. Gotta love racing animals!5. Home and Hobby
Demonstrations of lace-making, stitchery, quilting, porcelain art and weaving; machine knitting, and numismatics. A reminder of a more simpler time. New this year: Miniature Painting Contest on June 28 awards ribbons and cash prizes to artists who can capture a scene on canvas no larger than 7 by 7 inches.6. Flower and Garden Show
A nice place to wind down from the hectic midway and take in some natural beauty. This year get some environmental tips at the Green is Easy exhibit. There's an eye-catching exhibit on garden bugs and safe pest control. And of course, gardens and landscapes to the Sports int he Garden theme.7. Agriculture Exhibit
In the AgriFair building is Farm Life: A Century of Change is an exhibit on the story of farm families and rural communities facing change over the past 100 years. There will also be a hydroponics exhibit on growing plans in the water, and presentations on using goats to clear brush around properties.8. Just For Fun Contests
Besides animals and corndogs, the Fair is all about those just-for-fun events. And this year is no different, starting with those fan favorite contests: Best Animal Noise contest, Coco's Pie Eating Contest, and the Three O'Clock Fun Contests of sack races, hula hoops and more. All of those contests take place daily.In addition, depending on the day, are contests like the Baby Derby, Bubble Gum Blowing, Jalapeno Pepper Eating, Frozen T-Shirt, and Ballroom Dance.
