A Day at the OC Fair

Summer is here and that means it’s fair season! Any day at a county fair usually consists of going on a few rides, indulging in the fried foods, listening to some music, and perhaps checking out some livestock or salivating over baked goods. A day at the Orange County (OC) Fair is no exception, but offers many more unique activities.

About the OC Fair

The Orange County Fair is held on the OC Fairgrounds, in Costa Mesa. The fairgrounds host more than 200 events each year including Imaginology – a children’s event focussing on STEAM, a gem show, the OC Night Market, and concerts in the Pacific Amphitheatre.

The fair is held over 23 days starting in mid-July. It attracts over 1-million visitors each year. Last year boasted over 1.3 million and is the third most attended fair in California – just behind San Diego and Los Angeles counties. Admission to the OC Fair is $14 for adults, $7 for children, 5 and under are free. Parking is $10.

So what makes the OC Fair so special?

The Selfie Museum

New at the OC Fair this year is The Selfie Museum. It is more of an experience than a museum, but don’t let the name distract you from what you’ll see inside. It is an extra $5, but well worth it!

scene at the selfie museum at the oc fair
One of the Scenes at the Selfie Museum

I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a huge fan of selfies. It’s not that I’m incapable of taking a decent selfie, but I’d rather not have my mug covering the surrounding scenery. However, the Selfie Museum brought out the selfie in me!

“Going down” the Fun Slide scene at The Selfie Museum at the OC Fair

How did it do that? There are about a dozen different scenes that you can immerse yourself in with props – think of a photo booth at a wedding or bar/bat mitzvah but different backgrounds! The props were matched with the backgrounds – burlap sacks for the large slide, or oversized strips of bacon in a breakfast scene, etc. There are fair workers that staff each scene to get the perfect snap of you and your friends in each scene.

I had a ton more fun than I thought that when I first heard about it. You will too, I promise!

Wine Garden

Did you know that the OC Fair hosts one of the largest wine competitions in California? I certainly didn’t. The Orange County Wine Society – a nonprofit ran by volunteers – makes it all possible. There are a bunch of white and red wines that you can try as a flight or a full pour, including the wines that were entered into the competition.

OC Fair Wine Garden

I love going wine tasting, but had no idea there was a wine competition in my own backyard. The wine garden is covered to shade you from the sun, but you are also able to enjoy the wine while walking around the fair.

Largest Portable Observation Wheel

In case the weather is hot when you visit the OC Fair (which is can get), head through the midway to the Observation Wheel. You’ll be able to sit comfortable in an air conditioned pod that takes you high above the fairgrounds.

Largest Portable Observation Wheel at OC Fair

Pro Tip: take a ride at sunset to get a view that can’t be beat!

Pig Races

The pig races are one of the most fun things you can do at the OC Fair. If you can get past the puns for the pigs’ names (like Tupork and the Notorious P.I.G.), you’ll find yourself laughing and cheering on your favorite pig.

OC Fair Pig Races

The pig races start every hour at 2 PM and are about 30 minutes each show. Not only is it a fun time, it is also free and offers a lot of shade!

Petting Zoo

To wrap up your day at the OC Fair, visit the Petting Zoo. You’ll see several deer, goats, sheep, and even a llama and an alpaca. Pay a few bucks so you can feed the animals. I was able to get an awesome picture with an alpaca because it ate the food I had.

My friend alpaca at the OC Fair Petting Zoo

The food comes in an ice cream cone which the animals love to eat. Some of the animals are greedy so watch out. You may find a sneaky animal eating some of the food. I think it was the llama that stole ate the entire cone when I wasn’t careful.

The reason I say to end your day here is because the deer tend to try to eat clothing. Apparently it’s their way of saying hi. Who knew?! Two deer nearly got pieces of my shirt I was wearing. You wouldn’t want to walk around for the rest of the day wearing a torn shirt or worse!

Where To Stay When Visiting the OC Fair

There are several options to use points at hotels near the fairgrounds.

The following hotels are close to a free shuttle to the fair:
Westin South Coast Plaza– about $175 per night or 35,000 Marriott points
Avenue of the Arts, a Tribute Portfolio hotel – about $250 per night or 25,000 Marriott points
Both of those hotels are SPG/Marriott hotels – points listed are post-August 1 (merger date) rates.

The following hotels are slightly further away, but would be a cheap Uber ride to the fair:
Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport – about $250 per night or 12,000 World of Hyatt points
Hilton Irvine – about $300 per night or 40,000 Hilton Honors points.

View the rates at other Costa Mesa hotels here

My Day at the OC Fair

The OC Fair has tons to offer every visitor! I know several people that are almost obsessed with going every year; I never fully understood why but I can see the attraction of going. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to try out any of the food at the fair. Hopefully I make it back this year, but if not then I will definitely go next year.

Disclaimer: I was hosted by the Orange County Fair, but all views and opinions are my own.

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11 thoughts on “A Day at the OC Fair”

  1. This looks like so much fun! I would definitely be keen to check out the selfie museum but feel like if I found the wine garden first it would probably be game over…! #flyawayfriday

  2. Your pictures are awesome and you obviously showed the Orange County Fair in a perfect light. Such events are my favorite and thus, I am adding this fair to my bucket list. I am sure that the wine garden would be my perfect spot there. 😉

  3. Ok, you had me at the wine garden! I love these kind of American fairs, I only see them in the films and from blog posts like this! I love your selfie, it’s better than most I’ve come across!

  4. Postcards from V

    This looks like a lot of fun – especially the Selfie Museum! Good that you did it even if you haven’t liked it before! I think my favorite would be the Observation Wheel. When I’m there I will definitely do it while sunset 😉

  5. My bro lives in OC and never knew this was around. Love the thought of the pig races and would definitely have spent time there and at the wine tasting. Sounds like a great day out!

  6. The selfie museum looks hilarious! I’m also not big into selfies, but I think I could get used to them there. I’ve always wanted to meet a llama and alpaca. Looks like I need a trip to the OC fair!!

  7. I’ve never been to Orange County but would be great fun to time a visit to coincide with the OC Fair and have all the extra events to enjoy. The Selfie Museum sounds a lot of fun, especially for us instagrammers! I think my partner would particularly love the wine tasting garden.

  8. What a fun fair! It certainly offers some unique attractions that other fairs I’ve attended do not have!
    The Selfie Museum is a brilliant idea, and your pictures show how much you enjoyed your afternoon! Fun food options are always a draw to these events so it’s cool to see the other events that are available in order to better plan for the day.
    Thanks for the insight to the OC Fair!

  9. Nice post! The selfie booth thing aren’t selfies if someone is taking your picture!! Why OC fair??? Also, I had no idea about the hotel near the performing arts center. Looks nice!!

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