Tim Fennel, CEO and General Manager of 22nd District Agriculture Association, talks to media on the launch of Shopper Shuttle.
By Gina Yarbrough
DEL MAR–Starting Friday, San Diego County Fair guests can leave their vehicles at the fairgrounds parking lot, and take a free shuttle to shop downtown Del Mar and Solana Beach.
At a press conference, San Diego County Fair officials, Del Mar and Solana Beach city leaders unveiled two new Shopper Shuttle buses.
Every day during the Fair, the shuttle service will take Fair guests through the shopping districts of Del Mar and Solana Beach.
Fair officials say guests can leave their vehicles in the parking lot, take a break and visit the two cities for shopping, dining and exploring.
“This great new fair attraction will transport our guests whom are already spending the day at the fair into the beautiful cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach, said Tim Fennel, CEO and General Manager, 22nd District Agricultural Association. “We will bring them back to the fair when their done.”
The shuttle pilot program was created to bring fair-goers to local businesses in the area.
“This is the first step, a very important step toward creating a new and improved relationships with the city of Del Mar and the city of Solana Beach,” said David Watson, fair board member.
The shuttle service is daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and will depart from the West Gate bus compound.
The Del Mar shuttle will stop at Camino Del Mar and 15th Street, go westbound on 15th Street and stop at the Old Train Station on Coast Blvd. It will head northbound on Coast Blvd. and Camino Del Mar and stop at the Brigantine Restaurant. It continues eastbound on Via De La Valle back to the fairgrounds West Gate bus compound.
The Solana Beach shuttle departs the West Gate bus compound and travels westbound on Via de La Valle to Cedros St,, then northbound on Cedros St. to the Solana Beach Train Station. The route continues southbound on Highway 101, stops at the Beach Walk Shopping and Restaurant Complex, before heading back to the fairgrounds.
Opening day at the fair is Friday. Guests can receive a discount on admission on Albertson’s $4 Fair Days June 8 and June 12. Special discounted tickets are available only at Albertsons stores and will not be sold at the fairgrounds. A $10 minimum purchase required, using an Albertsons Preferred card. Regular adult admission is $13; senior admission is $7.
Gates open daily at 11 a.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and Monday, July 2; and 10 a.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesday, July 4. Admission is $13 for adults; $7 for ages 6-12 and 62 and older; free for ages 5 and younger. The fair is closed Mondays except July 2.
Every Tuesday is Kids Day, with children 12 and under admitted free, so families will save even more money on June 12.
For more information on the fair, visit www.sdfair.com.
