A family adventure to the County Fair is one of our favorite summer pastimes. Corn dogs and carnival rides, fireworks and farm animals; there is something fun for every ranch-hand on your farm at any one of these Bay Area’s County Fairs.
San Mateo County Fair
June 11–19
San Mateo County Fairgrounds
1346 Saratoga Ave
San Mateo, CA 94403
CBS Local Events Listing
Website
Come out for great entertainment, live music, livestock education, famous fair food & drink and all the Fair flair you’ve come to expect from the San Mateo County Fair! See the pig races, a variety of entertainment, a horse show, a kids train, and all of your county fair favorites.
Adults: $10, youth 6 to 12: $8, Seniors 62 and over: $8, kids 5 and under: free. Parking $10.
Alameda County Fair
June 22–July 10 (closed Tuesdays)
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Website
Event highlights include: 15 days of live horse races, fireworks on July 2, kids pedal tractor pulls, pig races, petting zoo, puppet shows, and family entertainment.
Adults 13 to 61: $8, Seniors 62 and over: $8, youth 6 to 12: $4, kids 6 and under: free. Parking $8. Fee for unlimited ride wristbands or individual tickets.
Sonoma-Marin Fair
June 22–26
4th District Agricultural Association
175 Fairgrounds Drive
Petaluma, CA. 94952
Website
One of the North Bay’s favorite summer events, check out the Diaper Derby, pig races, hugely popular Ugliest Dog Contest, Destruction Derby, Disney Radio’s Road Crew, and free carnival rides. Clover Stornetta provides free ice cream daily from 1pm–4pm. And rockin’ artists like Rick Springfield are performing on the main stage. The carnival is free with admission.
Adults 13 and over: $15, kids 4-12: $10, kids 3 and under are free.
Marin County Fair
June 30–July
410 Avenue of the Flags
San Rafael, CA 94903
Website
Along with traditional Fair favorites (thrilling carnival rides, delicious food, loveable farm animals and spectacular fireworks), exciting 75th anniversary Golden Gate Bridge-themed exhibits and new attractions will highlight the 2011 Fair. The environmentally conscious Marin County combines the red, white and blue of America’s history with the green of American’s future in sustainability by integrating environmental stewardship at the Fair. One price includes all concerts (Pointer Sisters, Three Dog Night, The Temptations and more), fireworks nightly, and attractions and rides. Thursday, July 1 is Youth in Arts Day—children 12 and under are free. Nightly fireworks at 9:30pm.
Adults: $15, Seniors and kids 12 and under: $13
Napa County Fair
July 1–4
1435 North Oak Street
Calistoga, CA 94515
Website
Fireworks, karaoke, pony rides, a 4th of July parade and an olive oil competition (this IS Napa after all) are all part of this wine country favorite fair. You won’t want to miss the BBQ competition and a myriad of kid-friendly activities, not to mention an awesome display of antique tractors.
Adults: $8, youth 7 to 12: $4, kids under 6: free. $3, Parking $5.
California State Fair
July 14–31
1600 Exposition Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
Website
County Fair too small potatoes for you? Then head east and visit the California State Fair. Home to the (awesome) California State Karaoke Championship and the Xtreme Zone (home of extreme sports action), the state fair is as big as it sounds. This fair features the Airborne Ranger Too, the world’s first wheelchair accessible monster ride truck and MC Hammer. That’s right. We said MC Hammer. Online purchasing is your best bet for a deal.
Adults: $12, youth 5 to 12: $8, kids 4 and under: free. Parking fee.
Sonoma County Fair
July 27–August 14
1350 Bennet Valley Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Website
2011 is the 75th Anniversary of the Sonoma County Fair, celebrating their Diamond Jubilee – a celebration of the past, present and future of the Fair. This year’s Fair will be 17 days of fun (Closed Mondays), with wine country racing, headline entertainment, spectacular carnival rides, junior and professional livestock shows and delish gourmet food. The Hall of Flowers will be a tribute to the ‘best of the best’ Flower Shows from past years. Free entertainment will include an old-style vaudeville show, turkey races and lots more.
Adults 13 and up: $9, youth 7 to 1:2 $3, kids 6 and under: free. Youth 7 to 12: free on Thursdays. Parking $8
Santa Clara County Youth Fair
August 4–7
Santa Clara County Fairgounds
344 Tully Rd.
San Jose, CA 95111
Website
2011’s Santa Clara County Youth Fair is everything a good county fair is suppose to be and yup, it’s still growing! Bigger, better, more exciting rides in the Midway, more fabulous Fair food, even cows in Expo Hall. The Santa Clara County Kids Fair is an old-school, agriculturally-focused county fair. What an awesome way to let kids learn about livestock!
Free admission and parking; fees for activities like the Jr. Livestock auction and more.
Solano County Fair
August 3–7
900 Fairgrounds Dr.
Vallejo, CA 94589
Website
Get ready for nightly fireworks and free concerts. The Solano County Fair is a show-stopper! With livestock auctions, the Solano Community Showcase Talent Show, Blue Ribbon Competitions and a family-friendly, traditional county fair-vibe, Solano County Fair is an easy choice for a summer adventure. The theme this year is, “There’s No Place Like Home,” so click your heels and head on over to the County Fair!
Adults: $8, youth 6 to 12: $4, kids 5 and under: free with a paid adult. Parking $7
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