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Sonoma County Fair
Category: Active Life Amusement Parks Amusement Parks [Edit]
1350 Bennett Valley RdSanta Rosa, CA 95402
(707) 545-4200
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
18 reviews for Sonoma County Fair
18 reviews in English
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Review from Summer S.
Stanton, CA
8/28/2011
love the fair, go every single year, love the food, the music, and the races!!! but the wannabe gangsters can go away, oh well, thats crappy ass santa rosa for you!
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Review from Patrick R.
Sebastopol, CA
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
The smell of cotton candy, hot dogs, popcorn and deep fried chocolate wrapped in bacon is what the fair should be all about. I remember as a kid going to the Marin County Fair and the Sonoma County Fair and we would all down complete garbage food and ride the rides until we were sick.
Now that I am older I still love chowing down on the HUGE turkey legs and sweets I used to as a kid but also enjoy more of the artistic side of the fair. I like to look at the gardens and sculptures people have built and even learning the history of the counties the fairs are held in.
Now lets do the cons first. Trying to get into the fair now is kinda like going through security at the airport minus the whole body scan thing. You have to empty out all your pockets they wand you down, pat you down, make you remove your belt then make you go through the medal detector. So much for that great family day feeling you have going to the fair. Then as your walking through the building to get to the fair you pass by all kinds of vendors trying to sell you stuff. They had some VERY pushy people trying to put lotion on my hands assuring me my fiance would love it (even though she was standing right next to me they felt the need to try to put it on me).
By the time you fight your way through all the vendors trying to convince you that you need a knife that can cut steel or a blender that can ACTUALLY chop ice I'm ready to go home! So you go outside and take a deep breath and get ready to pay WAY to much for anything which is no big surprise.
OK time for the pros. They have this new thing there called splash dog or something like that and it is awesome. It is a jumping contest for dogs to see which one can jump the furthest into the water. This was fun to watch and my son loved to watch it and laughed every time the dogs would hit the water.
The horse track is always going to be a winner. The petting zoo for the kids is great and supply plenty of resources to wash your hands and kind of decontaminate yourself after petting your furry friends. I think the 4-H program at the Sonoma County Fair is hands down one of the best I have seen and plan on enrolling my son into the program once he is old enough. The 4-H program gets 5 stars as well as the other pros I mentioned at the fair.
Overall the fair is always going to be a blast. But when it comes to the vendors and security it really takes away some of the fun I used to have as a care free kid. I really think they need to make a rule that the vendors can't pressure you or even ask you if you want to buy anything. If people are interested they will ask you questions about it. -
Review from Laki T.
Oakland, CA
2/5/2012
1 star.
A liquidation sale is held there this weekend for electronics, name brand clothing, and other items. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME and MONEY!!
First of all,
I paid $80 to fill my gas tank from Oakland to Santa Rosa
when I got there I paid $6 for parking
$7 per adult to enter the actual event. It was my husband and I so I paid $14 total.
Total= $100
Ok, I was willing to pay $100..WHY?? My husband and I are starting a business across seas and the producers of this event placed a commercial on tv stating there would be name brand clothing, computers and lap tops for $99 digital cameras for $39, flat screen tv 75% off...ALL LIES!!
I was disappointed that there weren't that many vendors! To pay to get into a liquidation event is to assume that there are at least 50-100 vendors at this type event...only maybe 20. also, to assume that all items sold are brand new for less than wholesale price. Unfortunately, this was not the case! They are selling FAKE shoe brands, perfume/colognes, their digital cameras were overpriced (for their SALE). For example AJ Wholesale had a Kodak 'easyshare' camera for $139 they listed the original price around $239. I bought one from Walmart for $89 2 weeks ago! Damn shame! People walked into the event for 2 minutes and walked right back out complaining!
Never again...this was my first liquidation sale and my last at a fairground! -
Review from Markus N.
8/5/2011 1 photo
Bay Area folks would have to think long and hard to come up with a reason to not visit the SC Fair (running through the 14th). It's a short hour away, it's in a land where the sun actually shines with regularity, it has clean restrooms.
This, I believe, is the next nearest fairgrounds with a horsetrack (Alameda County Fairgrounds being a shade closer). Unlike AC, the track at Santa Rosa dominates the fair itself, looming large on the west side of all the other action. In the afternoon it casts its shadow on the smallish 4H ring.
Overall, the layout is of a size easily managed on a visit after work (whereas for to do AC you need to be getting to the lot at 10 in the morning).
As with the other venues, the fair food is marvelous. The hall of cooking shows, chamois, and trinkets is as it is everywhere - weird and dependable. The midway has straw over the dirt trod by happy people. More dark hair here than in Pleasanton.
Aside from the fact that you have to pay to sit in the grandstand at the track and the pari windows are staffed by fewer real humans, the track is comfortable. Viewing is on the sunny side; the paddock is spiffy. I put $5 on the 33 to 1 in the 8th race and came away $170 richer than I was moments before. Had I put $5,000 I would have almost made up for what the market took from me earlier that same day.
Picasso is sweet, surely, but it's inside. Check out the blue period after the 14th. Go get your vitamin D on in Santa Rosa first (Moma always looks better with a tan). -
Review from Kevin J.
San Francisco, CA
Heading to the Fair sometime at the beginning of August is a family tradition that started about 30 years ago. I have been going ever since i knew how to walk and this fair seems to have it all. From the kiddy park to the adult rides there is surely something that spins and makes you want to hurl your newly downed slushy.
The only thing I don't remember are the prices being so high. $9.00 to enter and nearly $5+ for all food items you want. Make sure to bring your pocket book so that you can keep up $20 wont get your anywhere now-a-days, and certainly not at the fair.
Splashdogs is a new event that has been at the fair for the past year at least that's kind of fun. Watch locals compete with who's dog can jump the farthest into a pool while chasing a rubber toy. Spectator sport and fun for the kids. After that hang a left and head on over to the livestock to see the pigs, ducks, chickens, cows, sheep, goats, you-name-it. Built up your hunger again?... then grab a free ice cream cone from Clover from 1-4pm.
This fair has everything you need, and even things you don't. -
Review from Jeremy V.
Hayward, CA
6/29/2011
This isn't the best fair in the SF Bay Area region. It's a very enjoyable fair to go to. Although not my favorite, this fair gets my "A-OK" vote.
I went here for, you guessed it... the horse races! However, I did a bit of exploring and had a good time while I was here. I used to spend a lot of time in Sonoma County so I really got to know the area really well, especially Santa Rosa and its surrounding areas.
The fair isn't as big as Pleasanton or Fresno, but it's pretty sizable. Other reviews have mentioned the less-than-perfect and rather costly parking they have. Quick tip, if you're willing to walk approximately half a mile away from the entrance, there are plenty of surface street parking opportunities in the surrounding neighborhood. Beware, though, that many of the streets immediately surrounding the fairgrounds require permits for parking on certain times of the year. Therefore, read the signs. I haven't been dinged, but I can imagine quite a few people getting nailed on that note.
The fair itself was enjoyable. Again, your run of the mill of excessive amounts of sweetened and/or fried foods. They are all good! Find what you like and try some new things. I tend to not shy away from the corn dog and lemonade.
The race track is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The main track is a dirt track that looks like all dirt and not mixed in with sand or any other stuff that can slow the horses down. Sonoma County Fair is awesome because of the fact that it has a turf track! It's slightly shorter at 7 furlongs (7/8 mile) and looks like it's in great shape as there's only about two weeks of racing throughout the year.
Like the rest of the California Fair Racing circuit, be aware that you're gonna have to bring some serious cash for the races because the automatic voucher machines only take $20 and $100 bills. Therefore, if you have smaller bills and would like to get a voucher, go to a teller.
The grandstand for the Sonoma fair is one of my favorite because of where it is pointing. Generally during racing at the other fairs I've been to it's shining right at the sun and you're gonna have to get ready to bring 8000SPF with you and apply all day. The heat factor at Sonoma isn't as high and makes the racing experience a very leisurely one. However, I am one who doesn't mind the heat, and the nice 70 degree weather as well.
Come as you wish. Pick your poison. -
Review from Eastsac G.
Sacramento, CA
8/1/2011
Best fair for it's size. Have been coming for 40+ years. Not so huge that you feel overwhelmed (like the state fair) but big enough to keep you interested for a full day. The wonderful thing about this fair is there's lots of grassy areas, not all that heat searing blacktop like the state fair.
Has a wonderful racetrack and grandstands. Can spend a couple hours betting on the ponies.
Has free ice cream and hayrides. Also all the requisite fair food. Hall of flowers is breathtaking every year and you can purchase the plants when the fair ends. Parking is plentiful on side streets if you're willing to walk a little. We walk 2 miles from our hotel to the fair.
There is free entertainment and it's actually pretty good. Has a top notch rodeo as you might expect. Plenty of rides for all ages and lots of animals to go see.
This is a very laid back type of fair with something to do for everyone. No snooty types allowed :) -
Review from Grace Y.
8/3/2010
I love the fair! This one is decently big compared to the Petaluma-Marin fair, whatever they call it.
There's a ton of junk food everywhere...but best of all....THE ACROCATS!
Yes, you heard me right. Cats trained to perform tricks! Cats trained to perform in a band! It's exactly what you'd expect it to be.
They also had the aqua dogs or splash dogs or something. It was fun to watch and splashy.
They had a good amount of bathrooms and there weren't long crazy lines like in other fairs.
I wish there were more shopping areas, like local produce and products, but there wasn't really any.
Also, I wish they didn't charge you $6 for parking in a field.
It's a fair, and you pay to get in and eat junk food all day and look at farm animals and listen to random music.
This delivers. -
Review from Mandy L.
7/31/2009
I feel like I am cornered to rate this fair 2ish stars because when I reflect on my experience I am left feeling, meh.
The whole experience was underwhelming, even the people watching. What has happened to our economy to make even a little local fair so crapilicious. What a shame.
I dined on a pronto pup, supposedly the original hot dog on a stick that has been serving fairgoers since 1956. It was decent enough, hot and fresh which is normally more than can be expected from fair food.
I think my highlight was the homemade rootbeer at one of the stands. It was quite delicious and served in a true redneck fashionable tin cup with an oakey scene on it. Classic.
Flower exhibit is worth a gander should you be going.
One plus, I guess in this economy even the hoodlums have to cut back. There were far less questionable folks compared to previous years. -
Review from Aaron S.
Tempe, AZ
1/1/2009
I absolutely love the fair! Look out for my Yelp reviews of all the fair food and beer booths in Summer of 2009!
I always go as many nights as I can. Usually, we start off with treating ourselves to a little herbal aromatherapy in the Vet's building parking lot and then head in to wander around for hours looking at all the beautiful members of our little community here.
This is Sonoma County, so there is always one or two local microbrews on tap. The $8 I pay per beer never prevents me from getting a bit tipsy.
The horse races are also really exciting and bring out the gambling addict in me. I've never won big money here but I always have fun.
I might take in a concert or three at the Mexican Village. We get some top-rated acts here in Santa Rosa -- I think we rocked out to Eddie Money in 2006. Get yourself "two tickets to paradise" at the Sonoma County Fair! -
Review from Sonnia K.
It was my first time to visit Sonoma County Fair this year during my boyfriend's birthday and I had a blast! It was a nice sized fair ground with lots of fun stuff to do. We entered the Hall of Flowers and lots of colorful flora welcomed us. There was also their fauna section where we saw all the cute goats, rabbits, swans, pigs, sheeps, horses and cows. The game booths was fun! We all got stuffed animals from playing. And of course there were the carousel/coaster rides. I totally loved the Zipper and the Music Fest rides! This is a real good fair to go to every year. I'm looking forward to going back next year.
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Review from rachel s.
Mountain View, CA
8/3/2010
My expectations were not high going in to this, but I was still disappointed. I was hoping to find a beer tent for adults with a live band and a dance floor. Nope. There were tons of carnie rides, carnie food booths, and vendors selling tee shirts and other novelties. There was also a pig show and some smelly cows. It cost $6 to park and $8 to get in, and I only wanted to go to the Miranda Lambert concert. Those tickets were $40 with a $3 fee, so I think it is a little ridiculous that concert ticket holders had to pay $8 to get in. I'm not coming to this fair ever again.
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Review from Sara W.
1/19/2009 2 photos
I don't care that it's usually the same thing year after year... I get a kick out of it every time :D Don't like paying for admission? Enter one picture or craft and get a free ticket. Sure the animals smell a bit... just go to the Clover stand and get some free ice cream; then you should feel better. There are so many types of food to try; my favorites are the funnel cakes and gyros, and my family loves the Willie Bird turkey legs. The rides are actually pretty fun, even though I've done them many times before. There are all kinds of shows and other fun things for kids that are different every day; the year before last year, they even had the Jonas Brothers before they got big! (I almost saw them.) The huge emporium is also pretty fun to see, with the displays and products; I got a great pair of sunglasses there. SCF=Good times, good times.
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Review from Jessie P.
Healdsburg, CA
8/6/2009 8 photos
Who deosn't love to walk around on dead grass, smell horse poo, eat so much sugar that their teeth feel like falling out, gauck and be gaucked at by the passer byers, take photos with you buddy, ride the farris wheel with your bestest, feel your stomach quickly strat to come out your mouth...( but not ;-p), drink rediculously expensive coors and bud light, watch the races, demolishing cars,mack on some chilli dogs and garlic fries, the swings.. who could forget the swings...,walk the gardens, buy endless amounts of crap ya don't need; but have to have,take goofy pictures with dinasours, talk to carnies, tell the carnies at the games maybe and act like you're interested to see if they give you a deal and say nevermind, wait in line to pee in thee most disgusting bathroom you'll see the entire year and spend way to much money on rides that 10 years ago seemed like 5 minutes long at least?? Who does this? Sonomians!! Santa Rosians and all the townies alike. ME,ME,ME!!!
The Sonoma county fair is a much awaited time in a young kids life and alas, even as adults the experiences change a little but most of it stays the same.. new addition since my last fair experience: beer. I like it much better now, however, man o man, $12 for a coors light! WTF??1 I repeat: WTF??!!
Oh well, it's once a year and my girlfriend and I have gone nearly every year. When we were kids we went as many times as possible. It was amazing. You'd think we were in heaven.
My PID/F (partner in dinning/fun) normally since a non-yelper (I know, geez) I would leave just at that, however, Heather H. I am trying to convert so, Heather H. and I had a ball. A great day feeling like a kid. Everyone should check it out. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Chico, CA
8/23/2008
Gross and full of trailer monkey's... I love me some county faires and was really excited to go visit this one.... Parking was a nightmare, not much to look at, scarry looking rides... we pretty much walked around for 2 hours, got bored and left.... The only cool thing we did see there was a guy who made a huge model of San Francisco with toothpicks and he had ping pong balls running through it.... it was awesome... Other then that it made me feel dirty.
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Review from Kamala K.
Santa Rosa, CA
3/5/2009
CRAP FAIR. Cost to damn much to. Rides SUCK. Parking SUCKS. 15 bucks to park? HELL NO. And then it's 30 bucks per person so me thinks not. Don't waste your time.
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Review from Dan N.
San Antonio, TX
3/4/2009
Years ago we used to have a awesome fair, great rides and entertainment but as with everything else in Santa Rosa, the people in charge ruined this too. The only things good with the fair is the rodeo, hall of flowers, and animals. Everything else is crap. Oh and I hear the admission prices are being raised this year to $10 a person and I'm sure it will be $25 to $30 to park, how sad.
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Review from Tony L.
San Francisco, CA
8/2/2009 9 photos
Great displays and gorgeous plants and flowers at the "highlight" (for me) at The Garden Time Forgot - what a tremedous and very well-thought out exhibit and joint effort by all who participated to present such an amazing display for the delight of everyone!! Lots of people, animals and dinosaurs!! Take your darn camera and quit talking and snap everything!! Take the kids who will be fascinated with the flowers, the dinosaurs, and the reptiles!!! Wot? YOU have NO kids? Find some and take them ~ they'll love you for it and so will their parents!! Lots of food available of all cultures, tastes and types!!!! Didn't eat much but talked to many at the fair plus the photography opportunities are waaaay too numerous!! Daily schedule of performances, acts and events each day available (free). Unlike other fairs I've attended these past few weeks & days, schedules displayed at stages so everyone knows what's going to happen ~ THANKs!! Don't take a tripod as too many big & little feet make it hazardous!! Admission fee lower than most fairs in the Bay Area and I think it was well-worth it!! Some pixs posted ~ more flora pixs are posted at my picture site ~ enJoY!!!!
