Guide to the California State Fair: What to do, eat, and drink [2024]
There’s nothing more classic than American summer carnivals with deep-fried foods, live music, farm animals, and (kinda) janky rides. Tens of thousands flock to the California State Fair yearly to enjoy a taste of fried goodness, experience family fun, and see all the agriculture and industries the Golden State has to offer.
The 2024 California State Fair runs from July 12–28.
Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links, which means I make a commission if you book through this post. If you do decide to book using my links, thank you so much for your support!
California State Fair 2024: Know Before You Go
Location
Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
Hours
- Monday—Thursday: 11 AM—10 PM
- Friday—Saturday: 10 AM—10 PM
Parking
Parking is $15, and the parking lot wraps around Cal Expo. If you don’t want to pay for parking and are willing to walk a few blocks away, you can park in Arden Fair Mall or Point West Plaza (which has Olive Garden, Kohl’s, and David’s Bridal).
Admission
- General (Adult): $16
- Senior (62 and better): $12
- Youth (5—12): $10
- Children 4 and under: Free
- Unlimited Ride Wristband: $37–$42
- Carnival Tickets: $1/per ticket
- Carnival Fast Pass: $10–$15
- Unlimited Ride Wristbands:
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: $39
- Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays: $44
Carnival tickets and fast passes are only available to purchase inside the fairgrounds (not available to purchase online).
The fair also has packages that include daily admission, family fun packs, and season passes. Don’t delay, book your tickets today!
Admissions to the fair do not include access to the daily concerts (but you can watch them from far away on the lawn for free. You just won’t be able to go in the stage).
Other things you need to know
- As of 2022, the California State Fair implemented a clear bag policy, and it must be no larger than 12″x12″x12″. If you need to bring a solid colored bag, the maximum size is 5″x8″. I suggest getting a clear fanny pack so that you can move your arms freely and your shoulder isn’t restricted from a purse strap. This is the fanny pack I bought, and I was able to store everything I needed. It’s always good to have since most stadiums and entertainment centers now require you to bring a clear bag.
- It gets insanely hot. July in Sacramento is brutal (for that, they should move the fair to the fall). When Cecilio and I go, it was in the high 80s–low 90s, but on other days it was hot as 100°+. Stay cool by drinking lots of water and staying in the shade (there are lots of shady areas). The seating area in the food court has a little roof that sprays mist, which helps a little (every little bit helps!). Don’t forget to wear sunscreen too!
California State Fair 2024: Things to do
Eat your heart out to some traditional carnival staples
Now, I hope you literally don’t eat your heart out if you do have a heart problem, since some of the foods here miiiiighttttt not be best for it. But it’s a once-a-year thing, so treat yourself (and be cautious if you do have heart disease and high blood pressure).
You can’t go wrong with turkey legs and corndogs. I’m not a fan of either, so I get curly, cheesy bacon fries. They are super delicious!
You can’t forget dessert too. Sometimes Cecilio and I usually get deep-fried Oreos and deep-fried cookie dough, and sometimes we share funnel cake.
This is going to sound random, but I also love the tacos from Pepe’s. Oriental Cuisine Express (which is basically like Panda Express) has a delicious orange chicken bowl with chow mein. Not exactly what you have in mind when it comes to fair food, but it’s yummy nonetheless!
Pet and feed some baby farm animals
This is usually for kids, but I believe you are never too old to be around cute farm animals. The petting zoo is filled with goats, sheep, cows, pigs, ducks, and llamas. They even have wallabies! Admission is $5 per person, and you can feed the animals with a cone full of pellets for another $5 (or 2 for $8). Cecilio and I go to the petting zoo all the time to feed these little babies!
Just make sure to wash your hands before and after coming inside. And be prepared for that stench of animal manure!
Scope out the livestock animals inside the barn
Right next to the petting zoo is the Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn, where livestock barn animals and their producers are competing for a prize during the Livestock Awards Ceremony. This is to show the public the work it takes to raise these animals, and showcase the best of the best livestock in California. The cows are there everyday, while the sheep and goats take turns on certain days.
Stroll around the garden
Right next to the Tractor Supply Big Barn lies the garden, filled with flowers, fruits, and vegetables just waiting to be harvested. It’s pretty indicative of Sacramento’s “Farm-to-Fork” culture.
It’s also educational, since you learn about the 70+ crops. You also learn more water-saving tips. Since the garden is sponsored by California Department of Water Resources; because when are we not in a drought?
Sample award-winning goods
The local olive oils, jams, honey and cheeses are to die for; why not get a taste of them in one of the many booths? Agriculture is strong in California, and we have tasting samples to prove it.
Marvel at the other art installations
You can’t really see it (but I tried to capture it in different angles), but this installation is the silhouette of California, showing where different crops are grown in each region.
For example, Santa Clara County is known for producing garlic because that is where the city Gilroy is in, known for the now-defunct Gilroy Garlic Festival.
And of course, you can’t miss Sacramento’s Farm-To-Fork waterfront (so many people are peeved with how they changed it from “City of Trees” to “Farm-To-Fork”). You also might see a mass of avocados in San Diego County, with how close it is to Mexico.
Cool off with a wine slushie
Walk over to Save Mart Wine Garden to order a wine slushie, which come in different flavors. This is also where the California State Fair’s Wine Competition is held, and where you can also sample different vinos. There are so many seating areas and designated phone charging stations. Surround yourself with lush plants while you sip on a refreshing slushie to take a break before your next activity.
Enjoy views from the sky ride
Most people I talked to say they aren’t a huge fan of the rides. I like some of them, but if I had only one ride to choose from, I would recommend the sky ride. It’s slow so you won’t get nauseous (especially after all the eating and drinking), and you get stunning aerial views of the fair. I recommend going right before the sun sets to get that beautiful golden hour and when the booths start turning on their lights!
Catch a concert
There are many concerts going on in the California State Fair, but the main artists perform on Golden 1 Stage. Artists such as Chaka Khan and The Guess Who have taken the stage in 2022, and Ashanti in 2023. When we went, Journey Revisited performed so we got to hear some classics like “Lights”, “Don’t Stop Believin’”, and “Open Arms”.
The concerts are free with the $14 General Admission ticket, but depending on who’s performing, you can pay $15—$25 for reserved or ADA seating.
Even if you don’t attend the concerts, you can still hear them perform as you are walking around the fairgrounds.
Dance and take a photo with Poppy
If you happen to find the Poppy, the official California State Fair mascot, do not hesitate to take a photo with him! He can be found walking around the fairgrounds with an employee, on different rides, and take photos with so many people. He brings a smile to everyone’s face, young and old.
Every year, we celebrate Poppy’s birthday by inviting other local mascots (like Dinger from Sacramento River Cats) and they all do a dance number on the PG&E Center Stage. We usually have cupcakes afterwards too!
Come celebrate Poppy’s birthday on Tuesday, July 23, 20224 at the PG&E Center Stage.
Candy Maze Selfie Experience
I’ll admit that this isn’t my favorite activity, but the 14 photo stops are pretty cute and quirky and make for great Instagram shots. You walk through a maze of candy that you can purchase, with the photo stops in between. I didn’t put them on my Instagram because I was already a sweaty mess from walking around earlier.
Visit the California Cannabis Exhibit
In 2022, the California State Fair introduced the Cannabis Exhibit, which features cannabis farmers and cultivators all over the state. More than 300 entries were submitted to the competition, and 60 of those entries won trophies and medals. There are also live plants growing in the exhibit from a farm in Sonoma County.
You then walk through life-sized graphics teaching you about the history of cannabis, and the anatomy of the plant, and showing you where the farms are located.
The point of this exhibit is to showcase the farmers who work hard in cultivating the plant and to destigmatize the use of cannabis, especially since it has been legalized for recreational use in California since 2016 (and for medical use since 1996).
You can also shop for CBD and THC-infused things such as skincare, drops, tea, and edibles.
There is even a bar from Lehua Brands offering CBD slushies and seltzers. I ordered the mango slushie and it was delicious; I actually liked it a lot more than the wine slushie! It made me relaxed for sure 🙂
Attend the Best of California Brewfest
While I’m not really into beer, I can’t deny that Sacramento (and California in general) has a robust beer scene. So people who love a crafted IPA or stout are going to enjoy the Best of California Brewfest, which takes place on Friday, July 19, 2024.
Guests can enjoy the best hops that beer experts carefully tasted and selected for five days in June. Every year, there are over 900 entries of craft beer, waiting to be featured in this annual event!
Admission to the Best of California Brewfest is not included with your fair tickets. Below is the pricing:
- General Admission: $45
- VIP: $55
You can also purchase a designated driver for $20. Stay safe!
Ways to save money on the California State Fair
Yes, I have to admit that the fair is very expensive (and that is a common complaint among fairgoers, even when I was an intern). But there are ways to save:
SMUD Giving Mondays
By bringing 3 non-perishable food items to the far before 3 pm on one of the Mondays, you will receive free admission AND help support the Elk Grove Food Bank. Win-win, that’s for sure!
Tuesday Kids Free Day and $2 Rides for All
On Tuesdays, those who are ages 12 or under get FREE admission! On any other day, youth ages 5—12 admission is $10. If you are bringing a group of children, you can save big on this one. And rides are only $2 for all fairgoers, no matter what age.
Military, Veteran and First Responder Appreciation Day
Veterans and active members of the military or first responders (including police, firefighters, and EMT) get free admission upon showing proof of ID on July 21 (2023 date is TBA). Thank you for your service!
Senior Savings Friday
Instead of paying $12 for Senior admissions, going to the fair on a Friday, you pay $10. This is for those ages 62 and better 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates for the California State Fair?
The California State Fair is open on July 12–28, 2024. Dates for 2025 are TBA.
Who is performing at the California State Fair in 2024?
There are a few artists performing at the 2024 California State Fair such as Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, Bush, Queen Nation, The Beach Boys, and Patti Labelle. Artists performing for 2025 are TBA.
How much is the California State Fair?
General admission is $16. Seniors (ages 62 and better) get in for $12, and youth (ages 5–12) get in for $10. Admission is free for children ages 4 and under.
Be sure to bookmark, pin, and save this post for the 2024 and 2025 California State Fair!
This post gives you a comprehensive list of the best things to do, see, and eat for the California State Fair and beyond.
Whether you’re there for the food, the rides, or the performances, the State Fair has so much entertainment to offer while educating the public about California’s strong agriculture!
