Today is all about the San Diego County Fair Adventure…
I’ve said it before, but honestly, summer is so special to me. It is full of so many vivid memories that constantly flow through my mind each year as the season approaches.
Summer as a kid is unlike any other time in your life. It is full of adventure and care free feelings, with endless possibilities for fun!
Whether it was getting ready for our annual kool-aide stand to earn some money for skating, sno cones, and junk food, or just planning out our summer nights on the trampoline, there was always something magical happening.
I guess I love summer for the memories, and how it always brings out the kid in me.
Last summer, my husband and I had an epic staycation. He took off 4 days from work and we decided to just hang out locally and do some fun summer things we used to love, like going to the zoo, bowling, picnics, and walks in the summer night.
My husband and I are both, and always have been, kids at heart. He didn’t get to experience many things during his childhood, so since we’ve been married (9 years in July!), I have made it my goal to have him experience all the wonderful things everyone should enjoy. He carved his first pumpkin when we got married, got to see trick or treaters, and road his first elephant too!
And that is the story for today!
Pin This to Share: Summer Memory: The San Diego County Fair Adventure
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First, I really have to say I miss living in San Diego, especially this time of year. The weather was just pleasant all the time. In Texas, we are having strange cool temperatures (high 80s, low 90s) and flooding, but last year it was 100+ degree all summer, as most summers are.
San Diego was just a special place with amazing weather. They have the country fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds every year, and I knew we had to go.
It was June 2008, we met up with some other marine corps friends, and drove out to the county fair.
The only other fair I have been to is the State Fair of Texas which is in October, but typically still incredibly hot. It’s all about a ton of fried food and Texas stuff.
This fair was so different. It overlooked the beautiful ocean with a nice cool breeze. It was full of California foods and had some really neat things. Something else that blew me away, was how colorful everything was. Everything was bright and vivid, almost out of a cartoon or something!
What I was most excited for was riding the elephants!
Elephants are one of my top five favorite animals. And my favorite zoo animal for sure!
I road elephants many times as a kid at the circus and the rodeos we always went to.
I felt like an elementary student, but I was super excited about riding one, and we had a blast! We also road the zip line overlooking the fair grounds. This is the same place they do the horse races every year.
After we did the zip line overlooking the fair, we walked around, sampling foods and treats along the way. We came to the portion of the fair that has all the carnival rides, basically all the stuff for kids. We all looked at each other, and knew we just had to ride everything. So we did! And we had so much fun!
We ended up the rides with the ferris wheel which overlooked the ocean, and it was so beautiful! I remember the weather was so perfect too. Nice and sunny, with a slight breeze.
As we left the fair, my husband and I saw a photo booth. We popped in and took our pictures together, and headed home as the sun was setting that evening.
Eight years later, I still have this photo strip that I use to bookmark my Bible. Every time I open it up, I always smile at the memories from that day (and our young 21 year old still baby faces 😉 )
Do you have a favorite summer memory? Happy summer friends!
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Frances says
Beautiful post – love the pictures!
Alexis says
Thank you Frances! It was really fun to reminisce on old pictures and remember that day so many years ago 🙂
Amanda says
Gorgeous pictures of a fair! Who would have thought it! I grew up in small town south – every August we had whag was called The Picnic. It was a “fair” of sorts with the amusement rides, games, etc. The Masonic Lodge put it on to raise money for the orphanage. Those memories are some of the best – riding the carousel, pirate ship, tiltawhirl, etc with my best friends and just giggling the evening away. I really hadn’t thought about it until I read this post – so thanks girl!
Alexis says
That sounds like such a fun summer memory!! I can almost picture it!!
Ashley says
I haven’t been to a fair in ages and this makes me want to go to one!
Alexis says
I know!! After looking at these pictures I really wanted to go back so bad!
Kate @ Green Fashionista says
It’s been so long since I’ve been to a fair, and this one looks amazing and love that it’s on the water. Summertime is definitely the best time! Hop on over and link this up for our last Wanderlust Wednesday 😉
Green Fashionista
Alexis says
I totally agree!! Oh yes, I totally should like up with y’all! Heading over now 🙂
Megan says
Aw that makes me want to cry!! Do you ever get teary thinking of yalls life in Caifornia? ?
Alexis says
We do!! Life was soooo simple and sweet then, I miss it for sure!
Christine says
A fair with an ocean view? Yes please.
Alexis says
I know right?? I miss that!
Pamela says
OMG this looks like so much fun! That view is gorgeous and everything is so bright and colorful! It’s so fun to look back on old pics and reminisce isn’t it? <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Alexis says
It really is so fun!! I love remembering sweet, simple times like this 🙂
Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis says
WOW they do it up big in San Diego, elephants and zip-lining! I’ve never been to San Diego but this fair sounds like a must do.
Alexis says
They really do have a big to do! I was really surprised how fun it was! Total must if you go to SD in the summer 🙂
Laurie S says
What a great trip down memory lane – a fair by the water! Love that you and your hubby are such kids at heart and fun seekers! It’s been a long time since I went to a fair… the closest county fair to me doesn’t have all the rides like the SD one. Maybe I need to venture to another fair… love the photo strip, too!
Alexis says
This was such a fun fair, it was definitely one of our favorite memories of living in california!! We really have so much fun doing “kid” stuff 🙂 It’s the best!!!!
Evelina says
Such a fun memory! We always pop into photo booths every time we see them too!
Xo, Evelina @ Fortunate House
Alexis says
They are always so fun!!!
Olya @ The Siberian American says
I would love to go to a fair by the ocean! It looks so beautiful! Love the photo strip of you two! Congrats on almost nine years! 🙂 Our anniversary is in July too.
Alexis says
It was super beautiful!! Thanks girl! Happy Anniversary to y’all in July as well!!
Morgan @ Blessed Messes says
How fun! It looks like you guys had a great time!
Blessed Messes
Alexis says
It really was such a wonderful time!! So many good memories 🙂
Michele Morin says
Fun post and amazing pictures!
Alexis says
Thanks so much Michele!
Michelle says
Looks like so much fun. I use to love fairs in NY as a kid. The New York State Fair was the highlight of the summer every year. Next week I will be hosting our summer theme. Looking forward to more of your summer adventures there.
Alexis says
I bet the NY state fair was so fun!! Thanks Michelle!
Emily says
Fun pictures of such a beautiful place! My husband and I visited San Diego a few years ago and I would love to go back. Great city!!
Alexis says
It is a beautiful city!! I sure miss living there!
Mother of 3 says
I love how colorful everything is! What beautiful pictures and what a wonderful memory together.
Alexis says
It was so colorful, I couldn’t believe it!! It was definitely a wonderful memory 🙂
Jessica White says
That looks like an awesome fair!! We are headed to San Diego and LA in two weeks and I am so excited. I have never been to California and I can’t wait to see all of the sites. Have a great day!
Alexis says
Oh how fun!!! It is so beautiful, I really miss living there. San Diego is especially pretty with beautiful weather!
R says
Thanks for sharing.
I felt as if I was a part of the fun time too!!!
Alexis says
Thank you! It really was such a fun memory 🙂
Jen says
How much fun! I love a good summer fair, but it’s been a minute since we’ve been to one. Living in Mississippi – the summer temps are much like they are in TX, which makes it a bit unpleasant to be out. I’ve been dying to get to the Neshoba County Fair, but that’s a bit different than what we typically consider a “fair”. As for favorite summer memories, I’d have to say going to Great Grandma’s to cut the grass…because when we got done, Grandpa would take us to Crane Creek & we’d play in that freezing cold water for hours. Then it would be back to Great Grandma’s for dinner (usually fried chicken with all the fixings). Those were good times!
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Alexis says
That sounds like a wonderful summer memory Jen!! I love thinking back on times like that in the summer, so fun! I would love to join you! I will stop by now 🙂
Jamie says
That looks like a fun time!! Thank you for sharing this with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Alexis says
It was a fun time! And such a wonderful memory 🙂
Patrick Weseman says
Looks like a great time.
Alexis says
We had such a fun time! It is still fun to look back on 🙂