Fair Tripper Unveiled: How to Ride to Food and Fun at the San Diego Fair with MTS

This summer, MTS and NCTD are teaming up to make your fair experience smoother and more affordable than ever! With the Fair Tripper pass, you can snag a San Diego Fair ticket that includes roundtrip transit fare, for the same price as normal admission alone! This saves you both time (the free fair shuttle drops you off at the gate!) and money (parking costs how much?!) at the fairgrounds.

How to Get a Fair Tripper Ticket

Whether you use the PRONTO app or get a paper pass at a Trolley station, getting your Fair Tripper ticket is a breeze. Simply follow these steps:

• Paper Passes: Visit a ticket machine, select "Promotional Passes," and grab your "Regional Fair Tripper" paper ticket. Keep your paper ticket with you for admission into the Fair, and your transit trip home.
• App Users: To use the PRONTO App to add your pass, select "NCTD" as the agency and choose "Adult Regional Fair Tripper" (or “Youth” or “SDM”). Download the pass only on the day you plan to go to the Fair (cannot be purchased in advance), and show the app at the Fair admission gate.

The above screenshot shows an example of an Adult Regional Fair Tripper with weekday pricing.

Remember: Fair Tripper tickets are only valid on the day of purchase! Don't forget to scan before you board the Trolley, and on and scan off at the COASTER station, too. For full instructions and FAQs, please visit our Fair Tripper page.

Getting to the San Diego Fair

No matter what part of town you’re coming from, we’ve got you covered.

• From North San Diego: Park and Ride along the UC San Diego Blue Line and ride south to Old Town Transit Center, hop on the COASTER to Solana Beach, then catch the free fair shuttle to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
• From East County: Take the Green Line to Old Town Transit Center, transfer to the COASTER, and follow the same route above.
• From South County: Ride the UC San Diego Blue Line north to Santa Fe Depot, and switch to the COASTER on the other side of the station. Follow the same steps above and join the fair fun at Del Mar Fairgrounds.
• From the Orange Line: Take the Orange Line to 12th & Imperial and transfer to the Green Line for travel to Santa Fe Depot and follow the same steps above. Or, if you don’t mind a short walk: take the Orange Line to the Courthouse Station, then walk four blocks west to Santa Fe Depot to board the COASTER north.

Please note that the free fair shuttle is exclusively for transit riders with the Fair Tripper ticket.

Be sure to look for these validators at the COASTER stations – you'll need to scan your ticket or app when you get on and get off.

What’s New at the Fair?

Now that you know how to get to the fair, let’s check out some fun new foods to try this summer when you’re there!

Funnel Cake Chicken Sandwich and Funnel Cake Corn Dog at Chicken Charlie’s

Does anything say “fair” more than funnel cake? Chicken Charlie’s is famous for always coming up with new treats and this year is no exception with these two sweet and savory treats featuring funnel cake! One is a chicken sandwich with funnel cake as the “bun” and the other is a corn dog wrapped in a funnel cake batter. Both get a sprinkling of powdered sugar on top.

Barbie Pink Lemonade at Cali Pupusas

You need to get one of these stellar Barbie Lemonades with a pink sugar-rimmed glass and a heart straw! The refreshing slice of watermelon will help cool you down as well while you sip on your stunning pink drink.

Bean & Cheese Pupusa from Cali Pupusas

Don’t miss out on their pupusas, either! If you’ve never had this El Salvadorian treat before, make sure you check it out. They are like thick tortillas stuffed with your choice of filling – such as beans, bean & cheese, pork and more.

SPAM Fries and Sliders at Boba King

Indulge in some SPAM-tastic snacks at Boba King! They offer SPAM sliders, SPAM on a stick, and even SPAM fries (topped with your choice of sauce).

Mexican Street Corn Pizza at Pat’s Pizza

Embark on a flavor adventure with Pat’s Pizza. They created a Mexican Street Corn Pizza with all the vibrant flavors of elote transformed into a pizza! The cheesy pizza features bits of roasted corn, chili lime seasoning, and a drizzle of crema – don't miss this unique fair find!

Hot Peach Crispy Chicken Sandwich at Farmer in the Del

Farmer in the Del has several fresh menu options including this hot peach crispy chicken sandwich. It has a nice balance of sweetness from the peaches and a little heat from the hot honey drizzle. It’s also got a blue cheese slaw that gives a pop of flavor.

The Crookie “Croissant Cookie” at Mom’s Bakeshoppe

Have you seen the viral trend of the Crookie? This “croissant cookie” is sure to be a hit this summer with a fresh croissant on the bottom topped with chocolate chip cookie dough.

Bonus: Visit on June 22 for “Out at the Fair” and show Mom’s Bakeshoppe your pride colors for a free chocolate chip cookie!

From homemade crafts to adorable farm animals, carnival games and thrilling rides, the San Diego Fair offers something for every member of your family. Whether you're strolling through vibrant garden displays or indulging in a shopping spree, the fair’s got it all. Get ready for a day filled with food, fun, and thrills! Plan your visit to the Fair today! Learn more at sdfair.com.