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This was cool! I've seen this on the food channel before, but going was totally different. The sugary smell pervades your senses as you stroll through the guided tour of the factory. The whole thing is viewed with a sense of childish awe. It makes you just happy being there. Almost like Disneyland. Almost.
Designer Jelly Beans. The greatest part was the taste testing bar. You cold literally just sit there and try all the Jelly Bellies you want!
My favorites are the Red and Green Apple. I can eat those all day.
We bought the creatively named "Belly Flops" which are the rejects but they taste good all the same. Sometimes better cause you get those giant ones that got all stuck together! They come in large bags for a surprisingly inexpensive price.
They have a huge parking lot, so I don't really see it being full. We went on a weekday which was pretty nice cause there wasn't any crowds.
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Now the first thing you need to know is that this tour is free, as in F-R-E-E! Given every 10 minutes or so, the Jelly Belly tour is both a marketing tool and tourist attraction which is fine by me. If you're a fan of Jelly Belly beans, you've got nothing to lose so check it out! Those of you who are fans of Food Network's Unwrapped, should definitely stop by.
My parents and I dropped in on a Saturday and while there was a small line of 20 or so people, there wasn't much of a wait. It's a 45 minute tour through their manufacturing and packaging facility so if you want to see live operations, you might be better off visiting Monday through Friday. You also get to hear about the Goelitz family story, how they built their confectionery empire up over the years and how the jelly bellies are manufactured. While there is some live interaction, the majority of the tour relies on canned video and TV monitors. But no big deal, I'd get tired of giving the tours every hour, on the hour.
At the end, you're in the Jelly Belly shop where you can load up on some tasty jelly beans or their jelly belly flops which are mutant jelly beans (either out of size or siamese twins). Guess which ones I bought?! And yes, I'm not sure what to do with 10 lbs of jelly beans... The tour is a bit commercialized but you gets what you pays for. The Jelly Belly tour is a nice diversion if you're in the East Bay looking to kill some time. Eats and sweets are never a bad thing, especially when it's for free!
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This was so great! My grandson and one of his friends were my little guests for the afternoon yesterday and we hit the road to Fairfield. The ride wasn't that bad with two little ones jabbering away the entire time.
We LOVED eaking the tour. It was amazing to see how the jellybeans were actually made, and how many of them there are!
The boys decided the "Cold Stone Creamery" mix and the "Cotton Candy" were their favorites. We were able to buy little Tupperware containers and fill them to bring home for everyone. My personal favorite were the Holiday mixes. I brought home the "Autumn Mix" to put out in my candy dishes.
Go have an educational experience that is a really fun way to spent the afternoon! They are open everyday 9-4 except holidays.
I never knew i like jelly bellys until after the tour. some family was visiting from england and i was looking for some stuff to do. someone suggested that i bring them on the jelly belly factory tour. I learned that it was a free tour so i proceeded on this free adventure.
After tour thoughts:
It was a great infromative tour to learn aobut how jelly bellys are made and in the end of the tour you get a free bag of jelly bellys!!yay.
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Gawd I love this place! Going here makes you feel like such a little kid! The free tour is great and the tour guide is surprisingly enthusiastic for a person who probably has to do 50 of them a day. It's a great place to take younger kids as well. At the end of the tour you get a free bag of jelly bellies, but the best part is the store.
You can literally buy any flavored jelly belly in the store in any amount of quantity. I had no idea they made so many flavors! They've also got a bunch of bean boozled beans that taste absolutely awful such as their vomit and rotten egg flavors - great for fooling people hehe! Overall the presentation here is nice and you can't help but smile as you walk around the factory...unless you have no soul. In which case you should eat more jelly beans.
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The Jelly Belly Factory Tour lives up to the hype as one of the best factory tours in the country. It's a cross between a tour you'd see on Unwrapped and one of those videos Mr. Rogers would show on Picture-Picture(where are my old-school PBS peeps at!)
What I liked:
-it's FREE!!! Given the economy, great tour and very informative. I would easily pay 5/10 bux, but this is a good trip for the value.
-you get samples. OK, one bean every 5-10 minutes at first, but at the end of the tour you get a bag, then access to their jelly belly sample bar.
-great history and artwork; loved their Jelly Belly artwork, ranging from Reagan to Spiderman to the 89 World Series Poster
-great gifts shop and some good deals on jelly beans; KIDS & SUGAR freaks listen: they sell belly flops(nice word for jelly rejects) for 5 bux a bag; also have great souvenirs
-cafe with food and even pizza/burgers in the shape of a jelly belly.
-loved their 7-UP, pomegranate, and smoothie Jelly Belly flavors
-everyone receives a paper hat, nuff said.
I gave it a 5th star in spite of the fact that:
-they sell a souvenir photo for 20 bux; save your money, buy it online or download the jpeg
-the machines don't operate on wkds; the robots do a cool dance, but full production resumes on weekdays.
This was my nephew's dream excursion this past weekend and he was extremely happy. This is a great tour for logistics/operations folks like myself, kids and adults alike, foodies, & even a good date excursion(seriously)
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This is a fun place to go if u love jelly beans! I really dont care for them but it was fun goin on the tour and seeing how its made. At the end of the tour they give u a little bag to keep or eat. Oh yea and u get a little hat to wear during the tour also. At the end of the tour theres a gift store u can buy tons of stuff at.
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Growing up in Vallejo, I've always wanted to go to the JBF because it was so close by but never have because it was one of those things I've also taken for granted until my recent trip back to the Bay Area.
The tour was fun and the free packets of beans were better BUT the best best part of the trip was buying a box of these special Jelly Bellys called "Bean Boozled" which look like popular bean flavors on the surface (popcorn, pear, peach, coconut, etc) BUT taste awfully wrong.
Let me explain: You think you're eating a Top Banana bean but you taste PENCIL SHAVINGS instead (and in all bloody honesty, it really does taste like the smell of pencil shavings...how on earth did they do that?!). Some flavors include: canned dog food, toothpaste, barf (yes, and it does have a slight stomach acid aftertaste), centipede, moldy cheese, booger and rotten egg. The normal flavors are also mixed in which adds to the fun and surprise. Imagine my disgust when after eating coconut bean after coconut bean to finally have the one that tasted like baby wipes!
The box even warns you to have a trash can nearby in case you really have to barf.
Never before have I been scared to eat a Jelly Belly and because of this experience, I give this 4 stars.
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My first run thru the Jelly Belly factory was about 18 years ago and it was probably the coolest thing we did when we went to NoCal to visit family.
The tour hasn't changed much, same above floor walkways, monitors, and jabbery tour guides. We had a good guide though, this young kid who was just finishing up his summer job before heading back to school with hickeys on his neck covered up by bandages. The Mrs. and I got a laugh out of that.
I was surprised about how much the company has grown and the entire process - I remember as a kid just drooling the entire time over all the candy and not really appreciating all that goes into it.
You still get a bag of freebies at the end and can sample all the flavors in the gift shop. We went on a Wednesday morning, which was perfect timing - only a couple folks in the shop, and our group was only about 8 deep.
Unless you're super picky, get the bags of Belly Flops. A.K.A. the rejects - 2 lbs for about $7, compared to about $8/lb that pass quality control standards. There's nothing wrong with them, they're only a bit smaller, oddly shaped or are clumped together.
Gotta take one star off for the photo session with the stuffed Jelly Bean man - that's lame, and costs $20+ for the suckers that do pay for it.
I'll be back anytime I'm in the area. Can't beat it for a fun pit stop.
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Great Tour to take the Kids. It is FREE!!! How great is that???
MUST go on a week day so call ahead. If you go on a Saturday or Sunday, workers are home so you will not see the Factory actually making jelly beans, just videos.
Enjoy!
I am writing this review as I eat my bag of jelly beans that was given free at the end of the tour. I've been on this tour at least 3 prior times but this time:
1) the tour seemed shorter. Less human talking and more "watch this video"
2) they tried to sell me a picture with Mr. Jelly Belly for $22.00
3) I didn't buy anything at the end (I attribute this to my raging toothache)
It's a cute place and definitely worth visiting if you have kids to entertain. 4 visits is enough for me ... though I probably said the same thing at the 3rd visit. New flavor ... chili mango was yummy.
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Good clean fun! I usually don't like organized tours of any sort, but something about factory tours appeals to me.
Definitely call in sick and go on a weekday, because watching the factory in action is the best part. On the weekend, you'll be stuck with just the videos, and the amusing jellybean portraits of the likes of Ronald Reagan, Elvis, and the Pope. (You know Reagan liked jellybeans a lot, right? Jellybeans apparently like him right back. Hardcore lefties, be forewarned. Hmm, if ketchup is a vegetable, are jelly beans fruit?) And wear a hat so you don't have to wear the goofy Jelly Belly paper hat they make you wear.
Also fun is the "tasting bar," where you can request samples of a decent variety of flavors. We tried two new flavors, pomegranate and chili-mango (shout out to my Latino bruthas!) They've got Harry Potter Every Flavor Beans, too, in delightful flavors like eawax, boogers, and vomit. I asked if they were really vile or it was just a gimmick. The sample bar chick responded by telling me to try one. "Eat *half*," she added helpfully. I tried Centipede, figuring that was the safest since I've never really eaten a centipede. It was gross, but I've had worse. Fortunately, they have a toothpaste flavored bean to help wash your mouth out.
The tour and sample bar are free, but there are ample opportunities to drop cash: jellybean-shaped pizza and burgers, jellybean vending machines, beans by the caseload (!), pictures of your group with the anthropomorphic jellybean mascot, and all manner of branded crap in the gift shop. And of course, if you're obsessed with a certain flavor, now's your chance to load up.
I stuck to the much-hyped Belly Flops: $9 for 2 pounds, ie half price jellybeans that don't look particularly irregular to me. (What seems irregular is buying a two-pound sack of jellybeans, but anyway...) Mine are from the Jelly Belly factory in Thailand. It's interesting that such a gung-ho, yay-Reagan, flag-waving company even has a Thailand factory.
I'm not sure I'd recommend this to a San Francisco tourist whose time in the Bay Area is limited. Maybe if there was a real jellybean freak in the group, or if the kids were getting bored, or if there was a Country Mouse in the group that needed a break from the urban environment. But it's a nice day trip for locals, and can be a free day out if you've got the willpower.
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Go during the week when the staff is working. Its night and day from the weekend tour. Fun for the kids. Buy the belly flops they are half the price
So,my homegirl tells me to hop in the car and go. I don't even ask where; but I just get up and go! We end up in Vacaville/ Fairfield! Huh??!!! We hit up the outlets first, then we treated the kiddies to a Jelly Belly Tour!! Great customer service... All the kids got a hat to put on during the tour and we all got a bag of free Jelly Bellies at the end. They walk you through different areas of the candy making process while you watch mini videos along the way. And it smelled so good in there! It lasted about 30-45 minutes, but it wasn't boring. Quite interesting.. I will definitely go back.
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Went here to purchase Bamboozle Beans for my Harry Potter themed birthday party. Yes, you can buy ALL singular flavors in bulk. I loved it. My husband and I felt like kids again. Didn't go on the tour and I kinda regret that we didn't, but will definitely go again. =)
The fascinating thing about Jelly Bellies is that Buttered Popcorn tastes EXACTLY like perfectly buttered, perfectly popped movie theater popcorn. So of course, you want to know how the miracle in that delightfully chewy candy comes to be.
It's good clean fun, folks! Contrary to widely accepted opinion, I don't always need a stiff drink in my hand to enjoy myself. *Sidenote: We did end up at the Budweiser Brewery across the street after the tour, but that is beside the point.
When you walk into Fairfield's Jelly Belly factory, you are immediately assaulted by a saccharine sweet smell and color. It's pretty much everything you expect. You wait around in the front foyer for the FREE tour to begin.
The tour is like walking through an episode of Unwrapped on the Food Network, and the nerd in me found it fascinating. You learn the history of the Jelly Belly, the process of how it's made (Did you know it takes seven days to make a Jelly Belly, how they create their amazingly true to life flavors, and at the end of the tour, you get a pretty good sized free sample bag of Jelly Bellies.
At the end of the tour, you are able to stand at the Sample Bar and taste all the Jelly Bellies you want... even the gag flavors. Word to the wise: Booger tastes exactly like what you expect a booger to taste.
I'll have to subtract a couple stars for being so far out of the way. There's really no reason to be in Fairfield unless you want to go to the Jelly Belly factory.
My husband and I visited the Jelly Belly factory during a recent trip to California and I must say we were both disappointed. The tour takes place from a walkway above the factory floor but while we were there nothing really was happening on the floor. Most of the "tour" took place via video playback on TVs above the walkway. The few places where things were happening were only viewable by small windows located near the floor.
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Hm. This was our second visit (took the relatives this time), the first being in February. The tour is still great, but I'm knocking off three stars, and not because of the insanely long line.....
There were two new additions to the tour that I didn't appreciate at all. Build-a-Bear, and pictures.
*The Build-a-Bear workshop is set up in a meeting room/ballroom after you get into your tour group upstairs. You are literally directed off into the room as part of the winding line, as your kids get to see the bears and then beg for mommy or daddy to buy it for them. I could've done without that.
*The pictures. Like a cruise ship, you are instructed to pose with a stuffed Jelly Belly in front of a backdrop. A picture is taken, which you can purchase at the end of the tour (no clue on pricing.)
My complaint besides feeling like they were trying to pimp us, was that it took up tour time which could have been better spent managing the monstrous line.
And for that I give them 2 stars.
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Yeah, fun for the kids.
Yeah, I got some belly flops. Still freaking expensive for jelly beans....
Oh. Em. Gee.
I'm not gonna lie, i just kind of want to live there. Ok, just to get out of the way before i start gushing, i knocked off one star because they don't let you take pictures during the tour. but otherwise, it's magical. straight up.
the tour guides do have to read off of a script of the magical journey a jelly bean takes. one of the more impressive things was that they have gigantic jelly bean murals hung towards the end of the tour which always blow my mind. beautiful.
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Yeah!!! I finally got a bag of jelly beans with just the exact flavours I like! Canteloupe rocks!
Did I mention the tour was F-R-E-E! Totally worth the wait.
Hahahahaha!!! I came here on a class field trip when I was like in the 2nd grade or something!!!
I remember being incredibly bored until the tour was over and I finally got to eat some jelly beans.
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I'd probably give the tour about 3.5 stars, but I'm feeling nice today and will round up to 4. If you're stuck living in or visiting east Solano County, the free Jelly Belly Factory tour provides one of the few interesting activities. The tour is free, and at the end of it you get a small bag of Jelly Belly samples. You can also get individual samples at the store in front. (I have to admit, though, that after smelling Jelly Bellies for the entire 40 minute tour that I couldn't imagine eating any more!)
The tour is ridiculously commercialized and all about getting you to buy their Jelly Bellies, but it's kind of cool to see how these candies are made. You get to wear a free funky hat, take photos with Ms. Jelly Belly, and watch the workers do their thing if you come during the week (do come during the week if at all possible - the tour would've been really boring without watching the staff making the jelly bellies). They also show videos about the history of the factory and the factory process. Our tour guide was a little too cheesy and perky for my tastes, but she was also very informed about the factory.
Most of the stuff in the gift shop is cheesy and/or overpriced, but if you're willing to buy the factory error jelly bellies (only sold here) you can get 10 lbs for $27! (that is, if you wouldn't get sick eating that much candy like me...) Yeah, the tour and gift shop aren't the most beautiful experience I've ever had, but it's the best way in town to kill an hour.
Hey it's free what can you expect. If it's near a holiday though make sure to call because sometimes the tours aren't going on. I get to relive my childhood when I go here. Then I buy belly flops for super cheap. It's definitely fun for the whole family.
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Alan, Nina and I came here after lunch at the Athenian Grill. Though we've been to Jelly Belly a few times over the years, none of us had taken the tour. Jelly Belly was our destination today. Lunch was a bonus. The 30 year old son of a college friend of Nina's is getting married this month. She was visiting her friend a couple of weeks ago on the East Coast and the groom-to-be encouraged her to come to the wedding. Nina responded that, while she had a soft spot in her heart for him, she couldn't return so soon. He replied, "I have a soft spot in my heart for you too, ever since you introduced me to Jelly Bellies when I was 5!" So of course that had to be part of his wedding gift.
We joined the tour a little late, but since they were in the process of taking photos, we didn't miss much. The photo came out pretty well, but we didn't want to pay $22 for it. Too bad. I'll bet they would sell more (and waste less) if they were about half that. But I digress. The tour was interesting, a combination of observation, live commentary and video. We were able to see most of the process. My very favorite part of the tour was watching the robots. The first one picked up 3 large trays of Jelly Belly centers, gently put them on a stack and picked up three empty trays from the adjacent stack and put them on a conveyor belt to be filled. The movements were fluid and graceful. I want one. There were other robots too, one of which held up a sign greeting us and and then cocked its head endearingly. Gimme a break! I loved WALL-E too. At the end of the tour we were each given a bag of mixed Jelly Bellies and a comment card. Then we went downstairs to taste some Jelly Bellies and choose the wedding gift, a box of 50 different flavors. That and a gift card from Sur La Table should make a fine gift.
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Great fun for everyone on the free tour of the factory, paper hats, free samples, staff with smiles, candy, most excellent!! Checkout the Ronald Reagan display case with all the Jelly Belly links to our most famous jellybean living president.
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A really fun random excursion to get away from wine tours.... our factory tour was on a Monday afternoon, and overrun with loud teenagers, but that's probably par for the course. It's free, it's informative, there are samples, and it's very colorful and enjoyable. Worth checking out.
I've probably come here once a year or so over the past ten years and it never gets old. Luckily, the tour has changed slightly over the years and the addition of the sample bar is a plus but you can't go wrong with a candy tour!
I do agree with previous posters that the photo opportunity is obnoxious and adds unnecessary time to the tour, plus they're expensive, but I guess they're trying to make money wherever they can get it!
I don't really know why I was here. I was visiting my aunt who lives in the east bay and for some reason we ended up here...I guess she thought we'd like it. It was just us three generations...80-70 yrs, 50's, and 18 years old. All amongst running around yelling 7 and 8 year olds. This place is great if you have kids...but kind of loses it's magic once you've hit puberty. It was interesting to see how they make the stuff, but the sweet smell inside will knock you down if you don't pay attention. Oh the horror, of having to pack all those jelly beans my mom got for people back home into our suitcases...the horror.
:)
Eh..I might go again someday.
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A Jelly Belly Tour is one of those things you have to do at least once in your life, and I got to go TWICE! I hear that some factories are shutting down tours because of the economy so I would get in all your visits before that happens. The first time I went to JB was over 10 years ago and the only thing that I remember changing is that instead of giving you a plastic bag and dropping jelly beans in it, they just give you a sealed bag full at the end of the tour.
Our tour guide, Sarah, was very enthusiastic. Her job isn't too hard because most of the time she's directing us to the TV screens where we watch videos every 10-20 feet. It saves her a lot of talking and script memorizing. The tour kind of goes backwards because you start at packaging, move to production, then end at distribution. The best thing is probably the robot that waves at you. I saw it do it twice then waited for a while for it do it again then realized maybe our tour guide controlled it.
At the end of the tour, you end up in the candy shop which also includes a SAMPLE BAR!! You tell the ladies behind the counter which ones you want and they'll give you 1 and 2 if they're feeling generous. The kid in front of me asked for about four different combinations (jelly beans that you eat together to create something else) and the lady gave them all to him. When I asked to try 2-3 types of individual jelly beans, she told me that I would have to get back in line again. That's age discrimination. I understand the purpose behind that -- so the line doesn't get bogged up by a greedy person -- but they were just plain unfriendly. I know I'm not a "kid" anymore but I came to revive my kid spirit, only to have it crushed!!
NASTY FLAVORS: ear wax, pencil shavings, skunk spray (I tried this one... don't do it), boogers, dirt, baby wipes, and toothpaste. The best bet is to get your own bag and get the jelly beans that you love the most. Nothing is better than to have a bag full of flavors you will fully enjoy. Beware though, the price can soar if you're not paying attention to how much you're putting in your bag ($9 per lb.). I would say the biggest plus about coming here is finding flavors that you can't get elsewhere, even in fancy candy shops. My favorites? Pina colada, Sunkist kiwi, island punch, pink grapefruit, 7-up, and watermelon.
Tour groups can get pretty big; ours was probably about 30 people. We went on a Wednesday at noon and by the time we left around 1pm, it was mostly empty. They also have a cafeteria with ice cream and jelly bean shaped foods (burgers, pizzas, etc.). Amusing to a kid, gross to an adult. The factory is easy to find, parking is spacious, and the tour is FREE.
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If you were ever curious on how Jelly Belly beans were made, in every stage, this is where you go. Not that I really care, but hey it's free! During the stages/stops of the tour, an informational video is shown every few minutes as you look down at the factory floor.
As the tour concludes, everyone gets a sealed bag of jelly beans and there is a sample bar in the shop where you can get 3 different samples every time you get in line. This is the place to go if you are particular with your flavors as they carry those that aren't seen very often elsewhere. A great place to stop by for your candy fix!
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We did the tour on a weekend when the place was empty but it probably would be better to do it during the weekday while the factory is operational like others have already said.
During the Reagan Era they were so busy that they were working 24/7 to keep up with the demand and am I the only one who's first thought was that it was probably for straight time?
I thought the best part was the outlet shop in the corner where I could get Sport Beans (50mg caffeine per pack!) at half price.
Much kudos to Jelly Belly for sponsoring a bike racing team that's now celebrating their 10th year in the sport.
http://jellybellycycli.../
They may have some of the funniest uniforms in the peloton but they always have the biggest crowds at their booth for the giveaways!
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I've been here quite a few times and everytime I've loved it.
The first time I went they gave out tons of samples and you tasted the jelly belly in every stage of its formation -- unfortunately I think they've stopped doing that part of the tour because it got too expensive.
The last time I went there a couple months ago, it was as always exciting and fun and they have the coolest vending machines in the big seating area!
Also I love coming here and buying the belly flops. I always liked the weird beans anyway!
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Here's a little question for you: What happens to all the imperfect Jelly Belly beans? Do they throw them all out? NO! They take all the less than perfect beans, bag 'em and sell 'em under the name Belly Flops! Get it? Belly Flops like Jelly (Belly) Flops, only Belly. In fact they have a picture of a Jelly Belly wearing a swim cap and goggles!
Did you know that Jelly Belly makes all kinds of other candy besides? Like candy corn, gumdrops, hard-shell coated chocolate covered almonds -- even large jelly beans! And what do you suppose they do with all those different less-than-perfect products? Right! They bag 'em and sell 'em under the name Hodgepodge, because every bag is different; you just never know what you're going to get! Where can you get 'em? Right here: http://www.jellybelly.... and here: http://www.jellybelly.... .
And this stuff is sold at half price! Only thing is, you have to buy 2-pound bags of it, but if you buy $50 worth, they pay the shipping. Oh yeah, one other thing: it's all kosher, so you Orthodox Yelpers with sweet teeth can really go for it! Not good for strict vegans though: they use beeswax as part of the formula to make the outsides shiny.
Okay, there ya go!
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Oddly enough, I learned more here than on the Napa winery tours. A knowledgeable guide will take you on an elevated platform that circles the factory. It's rather interesting to see all the factory parts and even the jelly bean art. You have to wear silly little paper hats to either prevent fallen hair, or, humiliate the guests. You do get a free packet of jelly beans at the end, but you do have the chance to sample and buy more jelly beans and other candies at the store. They have toys, clothing, and even a chocolate section.
To my surprise, there's a cafeteria with a lot of seating. This is a super family friendly place. Even if you don't have kids this is a fun place to kill a couple of hours at.
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Oh, Jelly Belly, how I love thee. I went on a factory tour about a year ago, and it was a fun experience. I wore the funny paper hat that didn't seem to stay on my head or do anything to hold back my hair, I saw the giant bins of uncoated jelly bean centers, I saw the coated unstamped beans. I got a free little bag of jelly beans after the tour dropped us into the large gift shop for all of our Jelly Belly buying needs.
Fast forward to last weekend when my parents, S.O., and I visited the factory for the sole purpose of buying some candy. I, as always, made a beeline directly for my favorite flavors: toasted marshmallow, watermelon, and sizzling cinnamon. I also threw in a couple root beer and tutti frutti just for fun. I also got a bag of sizzling cinnamon for my awesome friend who happened to mention that she likes that flavor.
One of the best parts of my visit was that I could go up to the free sample bar and try one of everything if I wanted. I got to taste the new mint chocolate chip ice cream flavor and a gummy sugar-coated cinnamon heart.
I wish that the "belly flops" came in smaller-sized bags because I would have loved to take some home. The large was just too big....unless I want to start making more trips to the dentist. Hi, Dad!
A must-stop on the way to or from Napa, especially if you have a sweet tooth or, uh, sweet teeth as big as mine. Just be aware that it closes at 4 PM, so it's probably better to stop on your way up.
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I'd been dying to take this tour for years and I finally got the opportunity to do it :)
This factory is tons of fun for adults and kids alike. There's a cafe and gift shop to hang out in while you wait for tour. Tours seem to run pretty frequently, but depending on the crowds, the line can get a bit long. The portraits made of jelly bellies reminded me of the pasta collages we used to make in preschool--oh nostalgia!
The sampler bar is a great way to taste new flavors before committing to a scoopful and don't forget the belly flops! Wonky shaped JB's sell for a fraction of the price--you may not get to pick your favorite flavors, but it's a great deal. They also sell "bulk" bags near the side entrance. Don't be intimidated by "bulk"--some of the packages are actually individual sizes of seasonal items, etc. I got 2 tubs of Sunkist Fruit Gems for only $1 each!
In terms of information, I think you can pretty much get the same tour by watching some of the Food Network specials--but seeing it "with my own eyes" really sealed the experience for me. All in all, a fun place I can see myself returning to in a few years.
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If there are two things i love in life, it's cheap candy and free tours. Wouldn't you know it? The Jelly Belly Factory has both.
Two bags of loose Sunkist Jellies, Two bags of Santa Claus Sour Gummies, and two bags of Smoothie flavored Jelly Bellys... FOUR BUCKS. $4. Four Freakin Dollars... What a steal...
A little warning, if you go during a holiday or weekend it can get packed, but come on... IT'S FREE FUN! This place has a ton of stuff to take pictures with... tons of things to look at and gawk over... CANDY, CANDY, AND MORE CANDY! Just a great place to visit for ABSOLUTELY FREE. 5 Stars.
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If you want to feel like a kid again, head to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, CA, which is about an hour out of San Francisco. This is what we did when we were heading to Napa last weekend. Several Jelly Belly motif buses and cars lined the lot, which set the stage for what was to come.
Opening the door of the Jelly Belly store is like being plunked right in the middle of the Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory set; however, instead of being surrounded by chocolate, you are enveloped in every type and flavor of jelly beans imaginable. We didn't have time to go on the 40-minute tour, but we did have time to go to the sample table, where a "server" used tongs to pluck one bean at a time out of her treasure chest of offerings.
It was also really cool to see jelly belly renditions of Pres Reagan and Martin Luther King, Jr. Amazing that someone would take the time and have the patience to do this, but these pictures were incredible.
At every turn is a different display featuring everything Jelly Belly: huge jelly beans, tiny beans, jelly bean apparel, "less-than-perfect" Flops, sport beans, etc. I loaded up on the coconut and black licorice beans and was a happy camper. I just needed a toothbrush and toothpaste when I was done, but luckily, I had one packed in my luggage.
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Came here on Sunday, the machines werent operating bc the employees were off. Majority of the tour was walk and watch the screen. I guess it makes sense to not have people walking down by the machines bc that can contaminate the jelly beans and all. After the tour, we got a free bag of jelly beans. mmmm (minus the cinnamon one, yuck!) Then we sampled some other flavors downstairs at the sample bar. Interesting, they have a one jelly bean scooper. Hahahha.... Dont forget to visit the other sale room. Its located right next to the bathroom. That room has A LOT of other sale items, chocolate covered almonds, more jelly beans, and other gift packages. My cousin ended up buying a huge bulk of jelly beans for her wedding favor and the assistance mgr was really helpful. She threw in 20% discount and she gave us 3 single jelly bean scooper woo hoo. Would definitely come here again maybe between Monday thru Friday when the employees and machines are working..... I think thats more exciting rather than watching videos ever 10 steps.
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Fairfield, CA
Category: Candy Stores
Fairfield, CA
Category: Restaurants
Vacaville, CA
Category: Candy Stores
Fairfield, CA
Category: Burgers
Saint Helena, CA
Category: Grocery
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