General Guest Services

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Cash-to-Credit machines are located throughout the Fairgrounds; please consult the Fair map for locations.

Fair merchandise booths, concert ticket sales, and many food booths and vendors have gone “cashless” and only accept major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express).
Cash can be deposited at the Cash-to-Credit machines in exchange for a Visa card valid for use anywhere Visa is accepted (including off-site of the Fairgrounds).

Admission, parking, rides & games and official Fair merchandise shops only accept debit or credit cards.

Most food concessionaires and commercial vendors accept either cash or credit cards.

Children who have become separated from their parents are brought to the Guest Services office, where they will have a quiet place to wait. We act quickly to find lost children and reunite them with their parents. Children who become separated from their parents should go to a uniformed Fair employee, or Fair ambassador.

Parents are encouraged to use their mobile phone to take a photo of their child on arrival. Should you become separated, a photo will help our Safety and Security Team to quickly find the child.

Wear a "people find" bracelet:
• We recommend that children, and adults who would find it useful, to wear a "People Find" bracelet, which is available at the Information Booths and in Guest Services.
• Write a mobile phone number (but not the child's name) on the inside of the wristband, where it is accessible to Fair personnel but not to the public. These wristbands may be worn by anyone of any age who is unable to remember a phone number.

Reporting a LOST ITEM if you lose something at the San Diego County Fair
Please call 858-794-1124. You must leave a voicemail message.
• Be sure to:
• Let us know if you have filed a Lost Item report, and if you did, tell us on what
date and what the report number is. If we mailed you a card, let us know that and what you think we might have of yours
• Describe the lost item, using as much detail as you can, including the date you
attended the Fair
• Speak clearly. When you leave your name and phone number, speak slowly
enough that we can write down your phone number. Spell your name if you think
it will help us find your records
• If you lost a cell phone, please include the phone brand (such as Samsung, iPhone, etc.) and the phone service (such as AT&T or Verizon), as well as any other information that will help identify your phone (such as distinctive case or custom decoration)
• If you lost keys, please include information such as an approximate number of keys; if it is a keyless fob; whether they are car, home, or office keys; and whether there is a key ring or decorative item. If so, describe the decorative item; and other detailed information that will help identify which set of lost keys are yours.


Claiming a FOUND ITEM – During Fairtime:
After you have heard from Guest Services that they may have your lost item, this is how to return to the Fair to claim it, and get a refund for parking and admission:
Drive past the main parking lot entrance and proceed to the Ride Share parking lot. Look for the Purple Banners. Park and proceed to the main entrance and go to Will Call. Tell them you are going to Guest Services to retrieve an item. You will have to buy a ticket, CASH ONLY, but this will be refunded to you when you return. Go to the Guest Services office (1st floor, east end of the Grandstand building), get your item, return to Will Call for your refund, then return to your car. You will have 45 min to 1 hour to accomplish this. Any longer and your car may be towed.
Or, you can come to the Fairgrounds after the Fair has ended for the season to pick up your item. If you choose to do this, please call Guest Services at (858) 794-1124 for an appointment.

Claiming a FOUND ITEM – After the Fair
Call 858-794-1124 to set up an appointment to come and retrieve your lost item. Someone will be on site July 10-15 to assist you. All non-claimed items will be donated in September.

There are no storage lockers at the Fair.

Coolers and ice chests:
• You may bring a cooler with your own food and beverages. Your cooler will be searched as you enter the grounds.
• Please see restrictions in the Prohibited and Restricted Items area of Guest Services.
• Complimentary cooler check-in is offered at our Guest Services office.

We have a Quiet Parents Room, located in Guest Services. It’s a room for nursing mothers, parents of infants, or families with special needs. The room is equipped with a highchair, changing table, and related amenities. In addition, many of the Fair's restrooms have changing tables.

In addition, most restrooms are equipt with diaper changing tables.