Ride the midway and eat your way through the San Diego County Fair this weekend

San Diego County Fair: Through July 5, open Wed–Sun 11 a.m.–11 p.m. (closed Mon–Tue) · Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar · Adults $20 advance / $25 day-of on weekends; kids 5 and under free

This year's theme is "Once Upon a Fair," with a 20,000-square-foot storybook exhibit built with Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Beyond that, it's the classics: 70-plus rides, 100-plus food vendors, animal barns, and vendor halls.

The Toyota Summer Concert Series runs nightly on the grandstand, and concert tickets include same-day fair admission.

Weekends draw the biggest crowds — buy advance tickets and use the free shuttle from Torrey Pines High School to skip the parking crush.