Life-size moving and roaring dinosaurs like those from millions of years ago are slated to visit the Del Mar Fairgrounds this weekend as part of a cross-country tour.
The traveling Jurassic Quest dinosaur show, billed as the “largest and most realistic Dinosaur Exhibit on tour,” includes animatronic dinosaurs ranging from an 80-foot-long Apatosaurus and 60-foot long Spinosaurus to the towering Tyrannosaurus rex, which could run up to 45 miles per hour.
Visitors can walk through 165 million years of dinosaur history covering the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods and see dinosaurs of all sizes roaming around.
Along with seeing the life-like prehistoric creatures, adventurous visitors can climb on a dinosaur and take a ride.
Highlights include live dinosaur shows, fossil digs, Jurassic Jeep rides, interactive science and art activities, and real fossils such as T. rex teeth, a triceratops horn and dinosaur skull along with dinosuar-themed bounce houses, bungee pull, games, a giant fossil dig and a “Tricera-tots” soft play area for little ones.
The Jurassic Quest creators worked with paleontologists to make sure that the dinosaurs are re-created as closely as possible to how scientists believe they looked, from their color and texture to teeth size. Visitors can learn about paleontology at the excavation station, where they can dig up fossils and see real dinosaur fossils dating back more than 60 million years, including bones found in North America.
For those intimidated by the humongous creatures, there is also a place to see dinosaur babies that just hatched, including “Cammie the Camarasaurus,” “Tyson the T-Rex” and “Trixie the Triceratops.”
There is an interactive self-guided scavenger hunt — “Quest” — for “budding paleontologists who want to become Jr. Dinosaur Trainers,” which leads through 10 clues with the chance to earn a reward.
New this year, the dinosaur herd expanded to include the Utahraptor and Giganotosaurus, and Jurassic Quest launched a video tour led by dino trainers Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Prehistoric Nick and Park Ranger Marty, which is available on-site and on your phone via QR code.
New attractions include “Raptor Run” races, and “Rope-a-Raptor,” where “BrontoBusters” help kids lasso stray dinosaurs back to their pens.
General admission tickets include dinosaur exhibits, arts and crafts activities and live shows. There are rides and activities that require activity tickets sold on-site, or visitors can upgrade to the Kids Unlimited Ticket, which includes those attractions. Visitors can walk through the dinosaur experience at their own pace and strollers are permitted.
Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Tickets are $22-$40. There is a $5 ticket discount on twilight admission through Thursday at jurassicquest.com. Advance purchase online is recommended.
Admission is free for children under age 2. Fairgrounds parking costs $20; $15 if purchased at least 24 hours in advance at delmarfairgrounds.com/p/about/parking.