DEL MAR, Calif. — Summer is here and so is summer traffic. Challenges on the roads made for lengthy trips for people visiting the San Diego County Fair on Juneteenth federal holiday.
CBS 8 spoke with attendees who say it took three to four hours to get to the fairgrounds.
It got so crowded the fair stopped selling tickets and sent out a parking alert because of the traffic challenges.
People who parked and took shuttles say it took far longer than expected. A viewer sent us video and said their two-mile shuttle trip from Horsepark took more than an hour. Jason says he took the shuttle from Canyon Crest Academy.
"It took four and a half hours to get here," Jason said. "We parked at Canyon Crest Academy and then had to wait 90 minutes to get on it."
A fair spokesperson told me Wednesday is usually their slow day. The holiday brought far more visitors than usual. A spokesperson for the San Diego County Fair, Tristan Hallman, explained how to try to avoid the traffic if you plan to visit the fair this summer.
"The best way to come here and beat traffic is to take the Fair Tripper ticket. It's a combination for the same price of admission you get admission and a train ride on the Coaster, Sprinter, the Breeze or MTS trolley and transfer."
CHP says today was abnormally busy around Del Mar.
"If you're heading that way maybe take a route around and just pack your patience because you will have to experience a little bit of waiting," said Mark Latulippe, with California Highway Patrol.
Once people made it to the fairgrounds, they say it was worth the wait.
"I'd say so yeah. We got in, we were hungry and got the food and ready to rock 'n' roll," Peter said.
The fair usually gets busier leading up to Fourth of July and this year they're open through the holiday weekend.
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