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Cal Expo
Categories: Active Life Amusement Parks Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Amusement Parks, Music Venues
1600 Exposition BlvdSacramento, CA 95815
(916) 263-3000
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
56 reviews for Cal Expo
Review Highlights
"I used to go to the California state fair every year."
(in 3 reviews)
"Deep-fried avocado (served w/ deep-fried tomatoes."
(in 5 reviews)
"Normal, corn dogs, hamburgers etc."
(in 3 reviews)
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56 reviews in English
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Review from Brendan L.
San Francisco, CA
12/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ski Dazzle
got my helmet, gloves, and googles for nearly 50% off....not bad!!!!
They should provide some free parking...it was a good walk away from our car... -
Review from Joe K.
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Unfortunately I remember the old fair grounds so I have something to compare the new one to. When you compare the architecture to the beautiful old buildings of the old fair, the new fair grounds definitely fail in comparison. Of course the architecture of Cal Expo fails in comparison to almost any other architecture as well.
The second thing wrong with Cal Expo is the layout. There is absolutely no sense of cohesion. There could not possibly have been any thought put into placement of the different portions of the fair grounds. In my opinion, everything needs to be bulldozed and started over. Even though I like the exhibit area with the center area with the steps, it has a lousy sense of flow.
Whose idea was it to stick the racetrack over by itself? It needs to be part of the fair. You need to be able to hear the horse track and feel its excitement.
The price of parking is atrocious. I can see it for the fair but why is it the same amount for even really small events that are held at Cal Expo? I would imagine that a lot of events are not held there because the people putting on the events know that the public is not going to attend their event if the public has to pay ten dollars to park.
The third thing wrong with Cal Expo is the stages. They are so badly thought out as to be an embarrassment to the state of California.
My last remark is just my opinion on the state fair itself. Personally, I think the whole livestock thing should be reserved for county fairs. This is the twenty first century and California is not a third world country even if it seems like it is well on its way to being one. -
Review from Charles N.
Fairfield, CA
11/12/2011
SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
The new car selection was not as good as S.F. or San Jose car show. They had no concept cars or new up and coming production cars. But it was $7.00 a ticket with a coupon and free street parking across the street a couple blocks away next to Kaiser. -
Review from Shawn B.
Antelope, CA
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here to get the bejesus scared out of me and it didn't exactly do that. Fright Planet had 5 different haunts and an odd little 3D film that chronicled the goodness inside a rising rock star by having him destroy the devil with opera. It was OK. Each of the haunts in itself kinda sucked but all together it makes a decent date night. Be prepared to stand in line awhile.
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Review from Karen S.
4/13/2011
I've come here for the state fair, fourth of July fireworks, and also for an African food festival...
The grounds are pretty well taken care of, and there is ample parking even though it costs a bundle like every other destination or event spot these days.
I'm still not sure what you would rate this venue on as the atmosphere is so different for every event? The restroom facilities have been acceptable to very good, and the indoor buildings are clean, well kept and have A/C. -
Review from Marlisa K.
Sacramento, CA
State Fair, Raging Waters, Car, Boat, and Home Shows, 4th of July Fireworks, Christmas Tree Lot, Concerts, Horse Racing, Exotic Zone Halloween Ball, International Sportsman's Exposition, etc...
Check here every month to see what's going on. http://apps.calexpo.co...
Some events you may not care about, others you would be mad if you missed em'... Enjoy!
I marked 'not sure' on many items in the survey because things like; Price, coat check, accepts credit cards, good for groups, beer/wine/full-bar, outdoor seating, etc. vary by event.
Golden1 Credit Union is the only Bank/ATMs on Cal Expo grounds, so... if you don't belong to G1 get cash prior to arrival or look forward to fees. -
Review from J D.
Elk Grove, CA
7/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
We go there every year for the state fair. The parking, admission, and food are expectedly high. Desserts and appetizers tastes great, but I haven't found a main dish that I crave for. The carnies seemed to have become nicer every year we go. I remembered just 5 years ago that they were the scruffy questionable kind. Make sure to save yourself some $ by going online at http://bigfun.org and purchasing the ticket packs.
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Review from Darren M.
Sacramento, CA
2/26/2011 57 Check-ins Here
Everything here is awesome except for the parking prices.
Jeez, I think Cal Expo as a Venue might make more money from parking than renting the areas to the different expositions.
Great areas all over the grounds, shaded areas, room for rides, good a/c in the buildings allthough the heaters kind of suck.
I work different shows and events here ALL the time, they know me at the Guardshack at gate 12,
Blah, blah, blah, I truly like Cal Expo. -
Review from Larry H.
Elk Grove, CA
7/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cal expo seems to get more boring every year, the only good place is the food court but it is really really expensive.
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Review from Sheena E.
8/8/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Very cool fairgrounds! Smaller then some others I have been to but that was what was nice about it. I loved the farm area, lots of veggies growing, giving out free watermelon some days too! Cool little fruit stand there as well. The food is blah. Normal, corn dogs, hamburgers etc. But more options for salads then I have seen at other fairs. Lots of good bands and cool exhibits.
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Review from Jeremiah B.
Union City, CA
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cal Expo is a great place! Went to a gun show there and had a great time!
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Review from Tay D.
Las Vegas, NV
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
2011 wasn't that bad of a year for me at the California State Fair ! I must add it's been a while since I last gone to this place. Normally it's more of a 3 star experience but this year I got to touch a freaking parrot, scorpion and eat a maggot cheese sandwich for lunch !! I'm liking some of the exhibits they have too !! Best of all I didn't pay for parking (parked a block from the fair grounds) and I got a free ticket. Yeah that's another reason why I gave it 4 stars, LoL !! I think it's worth a go for those who haven't gone in a long time !!
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Review from Emily S.
Stockton, CA
9/4/2007
In the mood for a gang fight? How about a really good corn dog? What about bumping into about 10,000 people... or the constant smell of stale urine?
Then this is the place for you, folks.
We don't attend the fair every year.... in hopes that it will improve. I really hate giving the State Fair two stars.... it should get FIVE.... but I can't. While it does a great job at showcasing the counties and has ATMs everywhere.
The Commodores, Chicago and Weird Al performed this year. We saw Weird Al last night.... he gave a good show.
But the fair.... ehhhhh. -
Review from Darina H.
10/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've gone to Cal Expo for several events including California State Fair and Ockobeerfest (just last weekend). I must say that I really like this venue. There is SO much open space for event planning. The stage for performers are great, the bathrooms are pretty easily accessible. I'm a huge fan of Cal Expo although their parking rates are ridiculous. I do recommend parking across the street in designated parking areas (don't get ticketed or don't park at Kaiser) to save money (never hurt to walk).
Cal Expo is a great venue and I love that its the center of Sacramento and right off the freeway. You can always get a sense of what's going on at Cal Expo by driving by it off the 80 freeway. Sometimes you'll just KNOW when the huge RV sale is going on because you'll see thousands of them parked. Also love seeing them set up the rides for State Fairs.
The first annual Ockobeerfest was held here recently and it was a good size turn out. The bands that played were pretty good (they even sang in German for a few songs). Typical beer fest food (hot dogs, etc) and beverages. The Cal Expo staff was on hand to give out prizes with their wheel including the stuffed California Golden Bear! -
Review from mnypny b.
San Francisco, CA
3/6/2008
*This review is for Cal Expo as a concert venue only.*
This has been one of my all-time least-favorite concert venues due to the Sacramento Valley heat. But I did willingly venture forth to catch a couple of Robert Plant concerts here over the years, the first of which was hopefully my only experience of nearly getting crushed in front of the stage. Silly rumors about Jimmy Page dropping in to jam have that affect on a crowd, I guess. While Mr. Page did not appear, I did get the coveted momentary eye contact from Mr. Plant (during which he used his superpowers to make me promise him virtually anything), after which he stopped the concert and insisted the crowd ease back a bit because people were being crushed. (Thanks, Luv.) *sigh*Listed in: I've lived.I've loved.I've…
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Review from John S.
Sacramento, CA
7/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love Cal Expo as a venue, I checked into here while I was at the State Fair. And to be honest this is the first time in years I went to the fair twice, so they must be doing something right! =)
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Review from Sierra S.
Oakland, CA
9/10/2007 ROTD 1/20/2008
The sweltering heat causes wavy air to rise from the dark pavement. Nearby strange sounds seem to merge together--children crying? cows mooing? sheeps bahhing? people trying to hawk useless crap that will get stuffed in the rafters and forgotten about? Smells overwhelm the nostrils...fried chicken, fried artichoke, fried twinkies, fried coke, fried avocados, livestock crap. Hordes of people rush to the expo buildings hoping for some air conditioning, only to find the buildings so crowded that bodily injury is guaranteed.
And then..and then the sun goes down. The carny rides light up. Reality shifts, changes, and you realize it really just might be possible to win that giant stuffed dog even if it may be 6 tries and $36 later. Suddenly the death-defying, rickety, confidence-uninspiring, g-force inducing rides couldn't seem like a better idea. Teeny boppers crowd in the aisles laughing, flirting, and you remember you too used to be that young, and that oblivious. The sun goes down, and the magic and imagination gets sparked, and I remember why it is that I've been to the State Fair almost every year of my life. -
Review from Michael M.
Sacramento, CA
2/5/2008
Have you noticed by the previous reviews that people either love it or hate it? I don't hate the State Fair at all. I love all fairs...all carnival rides, and the clip-joints on midway. I like the crowds, the noise, the rides and the exhibits. What's not to love? Well, I do have a list. A family of 4 drives in and parks, pays admission, and buys one watered down soda and $100 is already gone. I don't like the telemarketing style of the exhibits. They have cramed as many of these worthless venues in as possible. Who cares about the underwater pen that can double as a car, a spoon, with a flashligh (batteries extra sold at the next booth which are Dollar Tree special with a $15 price tag), and comes with a full money back guarantee which isn't worth the paper it's written on.
The dirty bathrooms are a real eye-sore. I'd rather use a bush and a leaf ( a dried leaf at that, as the TP is that cheap, too). The prices of everything are so far out of control the State Fair has become the home of the rich, not the common family. Parking prices are one of the worst. Oh they want you to take the bus, but you'll find your wallet missing if you even think of this form of transportation.
Someone based their whole review on an avocado from a vendor. That's the attitude of most fair goers....don't base your opinion on one aspect. Base it on what you're there to do: having fun and enjoying a family outing with your kids. The State Fair has become a blight on our city. We have lost sight as to what the fair is all about. It's now all about commercialism and the almighty dollar and how much of our hard earned money they can fleece from each person. There has to be a room somewhere on the fair grounds where there are 10 people who are calling all of us suckers as they count our money and laugh at our city. They need a dunk-tank with our mayor....she should wear lead boots and let some disappointed kid throw the first ball from over the fence, as they can't afford to get in.
The entertainment is usually a bunch of has-beens with none of the orginal group. Or someone who is so controversial that kids are cautioned to stay away. We need to take our State Fair back from the corporate greed-mongers and remember when it was a state fair. -
Review from diana s.
Berkeley, CA
King sized Al Pacino (in) Scarface FLEECY BLANKET FOR YOUR BED.
Funnel Cakes.
Deepfried Coke, pickles, oreos, cheesecake, more more more.
I hadn't been to the State Fair in about 15 years, and it was awesome! We parked on the street and walked in -- hello, baby animals! Hello, llamas and pigs (who KNEW there were so many kinds of pig?), and weird cow-things with enormous horns. Hello, unhealthy food and strange infomercial-type tent full of ridiculous things that seem useful but are actually a crock of poop.
Alameda County, I demand you participate next year with a booth full of animatronic deer, raccoons, homeless people, drug addicts, and NIMBYs! And I demand the blue ribbon--nothing less!Listed in: Great Dates Alive!
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Review from Christine K.
Menlo Park, CA
7/10/2007
I am obsessed with the Fair. I start counting down to the next one as soon as it ends. I go every year at least twice and I plan on doing it until I die.
The most awesome place for people watching, food on a stick eating, useless and novel crap buying, baby animal ogling, biggest ferris wheel in the world riding and countless other wonderous things that only happen once a year when it's hotter than HECK.
A highlight is the free concert thing they've had going on for years now and they actually get good artists! This year I'm excited to see that Weird Al is back! I saw him at the Fair when I was about 12 and have been looking forward to an encore ever since. -
Review from Keane L.
7/23/2006
Excellent, world-class entertainment and an all-around good time. Even the educational/craft exhibits are interesting!
I've still been going to the Cal State Fair after moving from Davis to the Bay, and it's worth it. Last year we saw the inline skating competition and it was awesome.
The first time I came here they had a Mardi Gras celebration night parade that has yet to be topped.
Food is expensive and decent at best. Pre-eat before coming. Carry a bottle to refill yourself at the Alhambra (or whatever company it is) station.
Some places take credit cards, but may charge a small fee. -
Review from Rochelle B.
Daly City, CA
7/7/2008
*****4th of July**** review
The BEST fireworks show I've been to in all my years. Booked a room on Priceline $50/Double Tree Hotel and walked to Cal Expo.
Think I'll check out Rancho Cordova's fireworks nex year. -
Review from Jeff L.
CA
8/29/2007
5 Stars for the State Fair. My first time was great. And I believe it's often what you put into it, to get the most out of it. I'm sure the Fair can only get better in time and will be one of Sacramento's fun traditions.
This review is my anticipation and disappointment with the fried avocado (it also came with fried tomatoes). The concept of eating a fried avocado intrigued me. Anticipating the mixiture of fat, carbs, and cream to be a gate to some unknown pleasure; the novelty of the idea died with the bite. It was totally bland and saturated with starchiness. The pesto from the pitcher only relinquished green oil that didn't advanced the flavor of what I dreamed to be a great concept. Maybe in time, this fried food can join the ranks of tempura broccoli, pommes des frites, and vegetable chips but this experience marked the experiment with avocado and frying with failure. -
Review from Lisa M.
Folsom, CA
10/26/2009
This review is for the Harness Racing at Cal Expo that goes on all year, not the state fair.
I was a horsey girl growing up. I ate breathed and slept ponies. I even had one for a few years in my back-yard, I was a lucky girl. But, ending up at 5'10, my childhood dreams of being a racing jockey were dashed. So instead I get to watch from the sidelines.
Really, I know next to nothing about horse racing, but I do enjoy watching it. At Cal Expo, they have harness racing, which means trotters and pacers pulling a little cart (Sulky) behind them with the jockey riding that. It may not be as fast as thoroughbred racing, but that just means you get a better view as they race past you on the track. I believe they generally race 3-5 nights a week, depending on the season.
There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and you are welcome to bring your own (more comfortable) lawn chairs. Indoors, not only can you watch the live race going on just outside on the track, but races from all over (California? The nation? The world? Not really sure, but there are plenty of monitors will all different races on). There are a couple of bars, and food stands, so you won't go hungry. There is also a restaurant, called the Club House (the old Turf Club is closed) open on weekend evenings.
Betting is easy, even for the clueless. I believe it's a $2 minimum bet. At the betting window (is there a word for that?) there is a helpful sign instructing the proper way to place a bet. You can buy a program that has all the fancy stats for each horse/rider/trainer, or you can just mosey over to the paddock before each race, and see which horse grabs your eye. I LOVE watching the horses get tacked up, and seeing the jockeys wave to their families, and all the stuff. I always pick the horse with the fattest rump, or the cutest ears, and I generally come out ahead that way.
So the Harness Racing at Cal Expo is a fun, inexpensive (especially on dollar night) way to spend an evening. The facilities are starting to show their age, and you won't see any fancy Kentucky Derby hats here, but a good time can be had by all, young and old alike. -
Review from Nate S.
Sacramento, CA
8/25/2007
Fried.
Folks.
Fun.
Some things never change, and the Fair keeps its core constituency happy with annual doses of nostalgia with a few updates every year. Even the musical entertainment consists mostly of bands teleported from the 80's and 90's. What can you say...if you grew up with it, you already know what to expect. Take the kids, or take a date. There's something for everyone, and enough calories for the next three generations. I've already been twice this year, and I wouldn't hesitate to go again. The only downside is the state law which mandates that it must be searingly hot on any day when the Fair is in operation. -
Review from S F.
Rancho Cordova, CA
9/21/2010
***State Fair Review***
Let me say I have only been to the state before when I was 17, and now returning years later with my children this past summer. I was very happy with the overall experience, my children loved it, Next year I will come on the first kids day due to the rides being so expensive!! Cost $9 for my kids to ride ONE ride, since I have 3 children! The Funnel Cake was SOOOOO good, i couldnt believe it, It was worth every fatten calorie :) I like the Dino thing, that was really neat. I will spend the whole day there next year, since i didnt get there till after 6pm this year. I will return next year for sure :) -
Review from Laura B.
Sacramento, CA
5/9/2007
Since I didn't go back to the Bluegrass State for the Kentucky Derby, I went to Cal Expo to get as close to a horsetrack as possible. It was a lot of fun betting the ponies at Cal Expo. My lucky hubby picked the winner of the Kentucky Derby and I got tipsy from just one beer. Lots of simulcasting, but I'll settle for live harness racing instead of thoroughbreds. It was packed. We got there a little late compared to others, but had a great time!
Three stars is for the harness racing. -
Review from Carol P.
8/23/2007
Please, fairgoers, no more talk of the tacos. BLEH!
Deep-fried avocado (served w/ deep-fried tomatoes)
As much as I love avocado anything, this was too rich for my blood. I'll stick to Mitchell's practical use of it in ice cream.
Super jumbo corndog ($5)
Ten inches of pure goodness. What more could a girl ask for?
"Elvis" sandwich ($6.41)
Hunka, hunka burnin' love. A nice melting of bananas, peanut butter, and honey. Quite sinful. Makes a perfect dessert to the corndog.Listed in: Find me in da club
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Review from Pia V.
3/10/2009
I've come to the Cal Expo plenty of times for various events, all of them more than once: Skidazzle, Race for a Cure, or the State Fair. The Cal Expo is huge with plenty of parking. The fact that they charge so much for parking (varies from event to event) and charge admission. We're already going to spend more money inside ... isn't that enough (- 1 star)?
The park itself looks pretty old. It used to be a Waterworld, but a couple years ago it changed into a Raging Waters. Cal Expo is in desperate need of an upgrade and deep cleaning (-1 star). -
Review from Pippi L.
Sacramento, CA
3/29/2006
Every year I try to have my birthday at the State Fair. I was born around Labor Day, so it works for me to jumble them together.
The first year they had deep fried twinkies, a group of my friends marched on down there with me to chew one instead of having cake and ice cream. I think we got dipped bananas as well.
Everything edible is on a stick. At least for the most part. They should just consolidate the little carts into one called FOOD ON A STICK.
I used to be terrified of the SlappedTogether midway rides. Now I'm old hat. I'll even get on the highest roller coasters. I have a feeling my fear went away when they replaced all the aging cranked out carnies with uniformed asian teens running the mechanics of everything...
I also love to go for the petting zoo. I love this so much. I beeline straight for it the minute I walk through the gate. If you don't know where I am, and I'm not answering my cell at the fair, head to the petting zoo. I'm probably buried in the flank of a baby deer or talking to a teeny wallaby in a pouch or snuggling up with a pygmy goat. If I'm not there, I'm next door trying to see a calf being born or oohing and aahing over the baby piglets that will be someone's dinner come Xmas. I shoulda been a vet.
I also really like the art shows, the county displays, the crafts, the hypnotist, the Space Age Ice Creams, the garden with the insane tractor from hell, the fish farm, the Get Your Tree Right Here site that the Forest Service runs, and the tram. I will also, if it smells really good, go to the bbq place and get tri tip. I always miss the Goat Mountain thing. I've also bought 2 salsa masters at the fair, and now I need to replace the last one as it's gone missing. Guess I'll be at the fair this summer.
I think I've been to the Sacramento County Fair as well, but it's easy to miss. -
Review from F T.
Bay Area
3/30/2009
I have been to Cal Expo before for state fair and I loved it because it was huge! But when I came here this weekend for a craft and sewing expo, it only had a small section opened and they charged $10 for parking. That's one big star deduction here because I just went to a knitting expo in Santa Clara Convention Center and the garage parking was free. I cannot believe they charged people $10 for outdoor sandy parking space.
I deducted another two stars because this craft and sewing expo was super small and not much to see. Most of the booths were selling quilting stuffs and the fabric was kinda old-fashioned. There were some booths demonstrating sergers and embroidery machines. I was expected to see booths selling different kinds of fabric, sewing machine accessories and notions. NONE was there! There were two booths selling nicer cotton fabric and Japanese prints for around $9/yard. Overall, it was not excited and it shouldn't be called expo at all. You can see much more just by visiting Jo-ann. I am so disappointed and it was a waste of my time and driving! -
Review from Bob A.
Vallejo, CA
8/19/2008
10 bucks and you in are the fair. So a bargain compared to Stanislaus County Fair at 10 bucks. This is a place that you really do get alot of entertainment and fun for a low admission. Parking is 8 bucks.
The most notable vendor is Red Lion located just north of building A and behind the Hollywood booth. I didn't try their burger but the chef said it was good quality. I had too much on the plate as it was.
950 gets you a huge plate of English style fish and chips. I mean huge and delicious. No complaints on this meal, it was too much food. So I ended up putting it on ice and bringing it home.
One of the high pressure vendors is the Tempurpedic, Simmons rep in upper mezzanine of building A or B. If you say no they do the traditional ignore your 3 to 5 objections, then they bring in a closer. I had to explain to the closer how they made a mistake in using car sales tactics on me (a veteran ex car whore). -
Review from ron j.
Sacramento, CA
2/13/2008
Love taken the fam to the track! Cheap dogs , beer, and gambling!
Family fun! -
Review from jd d.
Sacramento, CA
6/2/2008
****Cal Expo Cal State Fair Review****
You're the only reason why Sacramento is put on the map. People in Sacramento come out of their cubby holes when ever you stop by every August to smell the deep-fried fresh air, to buy stuff from vendors, to enjoy midway rides, and to join mega concerts free or paid.
California State Fair, even though if it has been going on for years, its as if every year is different every time and never the same... Well that's how I feel.
But oh yes, every year there's always a fight RIGHT? EHEH.
I want to try every deep fried concoction, awesome-blossom onions, the corn-dogs/hot dogs, the really weird Chinese food, funnel cakes up the wazoo, icees, gellato, and MORE. HEHE -
Review from Inigo M.
San Francisco, CA
8/14/2006
Cheeseball and cheap.
Knick-knacks from nowhere like no-stick frying pans, spas, and even cars.
3 stars for just another thing to do in boring Sacramento. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Cupertino, CA
9/1/2008
My husband drags our family to the California State Fair every year. I'm not a fan of fairs. But my husband and kids like them so we go.
This year's theme was "Big Fun." Was I the only person who remembered that this was the name of the fictional band in "Heathers" who performed the song "Teenage Suicide. (Don't do it!)"?
We came early on a weekend and got ride wristbands for the kids. I brought my NYTimes Sunday crossword puzzle and worked on it while the kids rode their rides. While I tried to figure out clues such as a three letter word for "Punk Rock Sub-genre," (Emo), the kids happily rode kiddie coasters, merry-go-rounds, spinning rides and giant slides. The kids were entertained and mom was, well, struggling with the puzzle. In the margins on the page I tallied up the equivalent number of tickets the kids would have used if we had not gotten the wristbands. I stopped counting at over $150 worth. The wristbands were $35 each, so that was a tremendous savings. (What's a four letter adjective for someone who would keep track of such information?)
After walking around for what seemed like (and was, in fact) hours, we stopped at the horse track, put our feet up, ate some nachos, drank some beer and bet on the ponies. After a while, we went back to the fair. We spent time in the food section marveling at all of the food items people can conceive of frying: white castle burgers, s'mores, avocados, snickers, twinkies, the list is practically endless. (What's an 11 letter word for artery clogging substance?)
There is much to see at the fair: llamas, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, ponies. If it's livestock, you name it, its there. Saw baby pigs and cows that were only days old - so cute! Then there are the vendors: Love the Sham-wow people, the psychics, mineral make up people, solar heatings people, outdoor barbecue people, window and door people, timeshare people! Not so into the people passing out the fliers telling me I'm going to hell for sending my children to public school, not homeschooling them, and supporting the rights of gays to get married. (Ironic effort to blur the line between church and state by utilizing the right to free speech afforded to them by this very same Amendment: five letter word.)
As night falls, it is time to leave. A rougher crowd shows up and you're bound to be beat from all the walking anyway. Besides, for some reason, the wristbands are no longer good after 7:00 p.m., and you would have to buy a new set of wristbands to continue riding rides. Hopefully, when you get home or to your hotel, your personal masseuse Sven will be waiting to rub your feet and legs. (Five letter word for muscle spasm?)
Crossword clue answers: (anal, cholesterol, First, cramp) -
Review from Susan R.
10/22/2007
I used to go to the California state fair every year. For anyone that complains about the CA state fair, I have one question for you....have you been to other states' fairs?
I had a CA redwood tree that I got here years and years ago. I planted it in Florida and it lived for over ten years. I have no idea how it died. It was so cute, I loved it! I took good care of it too.
The CA state fair is absolutely huge, you cannot see everything, or even half of it in a single day.
Right when you walk into the fair (if you go in thru the main entrance) they always have two robots running around. One is a garbage can that talks. Just look for a big crowd of people and you will easily spot them.
They aways have a radio personality sitting on a huge block of ice, they want to know how long it will last! Of course prizes are always involved.
The carnival rides section is huge!
I love seeing the homemade arts and crafts. I am always amazed at the projects people come up with. Like the 4th grader that hand carved an entire bedroom set or something wild like that.
They always have a livestock section. Shows. Booths that seem to go on for miles.
The food here sucks, so I suggest eating before attending the fair. -
Review from Roy C.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2008
The last time I went to the California State Fair was about 20 years ago.
Now that I have a 4th grader, I wanted to be able to teach him more about California since they are focusing on it in the classroom. My biggest disappointment was finding very little of any kind of State winners on display. They told me that years ago, they stopped bringing all the County Winning Entries to Sacramento to complete at the State level.
The biggest hit for my Boys were the rides, and the baby farm animals that had just been born. If you're lucky, you can watch them being born. The also liked looking at some of the other animals.
There was a building were many of the counties were able to display exhibits about themselves. Some were interesting. Unless they could walk through it, my Boys didn't care for any of them.
They had quite a lot of rides. It would be a complete rip off to not buy a wrist band. For most rides, if you didn't buy a wrist band, you'd have to spend $4.50 in tickets for one ride! As someone else mentioned, you can't use the wrist band after 7pm. Also, there were some rides and attractions that didn't accept the wristband. If I remember right, each wristband was about $35 and there was not discount for kids. At those prices, I could have practically gone to Six Flags Marine World or Disneyland.
On top of that, most games of chance were 2 tries for $5. If you wanted to try for a BIG DOG, it would cost you a minimum of $10 just to try.
Fortunately, on the way up, we read Careless at the Carnival by Dave Ramsey http://www.daveramsey....
It was a good thing we read it, afterward, my Boys had no desire to waste money on the Games of Chance.
The ride highlight for me was riding the Zipper for the first time in at least 20 years. What a ride!!!
We all really enjoyed watching the Beijing Acrobats. They were very talented.
All in all, it was a very long long day at the Fair. Given that for us it was close to a 2 hour drive; and, given how hot Sacramento tends to get, it may be another 20 years before I go again. However, if I lived in Sacramento, I'd probably take the kids every couple of years or so. -
Review from Maggie C.
Sacramento, CA
1/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went to the State Fair here. Sheer awesomeness. Bought a clearance Christmas tree. Again, pretty awesome. Nothing else much to say..........
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Review from Sara F.
Albany, CA
8/25/2008
Yeah it was only $5 to get in and yeah parking was free but the rides were way too expensive and not scary enough! I was expecting way more extreme rides. I was very disappointed. It was cool to see my mom's artwork on display in the expo area. Go Mom! I think next year I'll stick to the Alameda County Fair instead.
