🎡 Rides, ribbons & funnel cake
SoCal county fairs
Curated by Simir Shah
8 spots across Southern California — add your zip or city to sort by what's closest to you
OC Fair
Costa Mesa · County fair
The closest major county fair to south OC, with a huge carnival midway, livestock and competitive exhibits, concerts, and fair food. Kids 5 and under get in free.
🗓️ Mid-July to mid-August
💵 ~$13–15 adult; kids 5 & under free; season pass ~$60
Los Angeles County Fair
Pomona · County fair
One of the largest county fairs in the US, held at Fairplex with rides, farm and animal exhibits, and food. Periodic canned-food-donation days offer free admission.
🗓️ Early to late May (spring fair, not summer)
💵 ~$18–25 adult online (cheaper early in the run)
San Diego County Fair
Del Mar · County fair
A summer fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds with rides, livestock and hobby exhibits, food, and concerts. Kids 5 and under are always free, and kids 6–12 get free Friday admission.
🗓️ Mid-June to early July
💵 ~$17–20 adult advance; kids 5 & under free; season pass ~$65
San Bernardino County Fair
Victorville · County fair
A High Desert community fair with carnival rides, livestock and ag exhibits, food, and entertainment. Per-vehicle admission can make it budget-friendly for families.
🗓️ Late May, around Memorial Day weekend
💵 Low-teens adult; often per-vehicle pricing (~$20/carload)
Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival
Indio · County fair
The famous Coachella Valley date festival pairs a county fair with an Arabian Nights theme, date treats, monster trucks, a demolition derby, and a PRCA rodeo. Kids 5 and under free.
🗓️ Mid-to-late February into early March (winter fair)
💵 ~$12–18 adult; kids 5 & under free; season pass ~$35
Antelope Valley Fair
Lancaster · County fair
A classic agricultural county fair in northern LA County with livestock, a carnival midway, grandstand concerts, monster trucks, and fair food. Kids 5 and under enter free.
🗓️ Late September to early October
💵 ~$12–15 adult; kids 5 & under free; parking ~$10–15
Ventura County Fair
Ventura · County fair
A classic seaside county fair at Ventura's Seaside Park with rides, ag and livestock exhibits, and nightly concerts and rodeo included with admission. Kids 5 and under free.
🗓️ Late July to early-to-mid August
💵 ~$15–20 adult; kids 5 & under free
California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta
Imperial · County fair
One of California's oldest fairs in the Imperial Valley, blending a carnival, livestock and ag exhibits, and a strong Latino cultural celebration. Family-discount nights keep it budget-friendly. (A real road trip from the OC/LA core.)
🗓️ Late February to mid-March (winter fair)
💵 ~$8–10 adult; recurring family-value nights
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Frequently asked questions
When is the OC Fair?
The OC Fair in Costa Mesa runs from mid-July to mid-August each summer. It's the closest major county fair to south Orange County, and kids 5 and under get in free. Confirm the exact current-year dates on the official site.
Which SoCal county fairs are in summer vs other seasons?
Summer fairs include the San Diego County Fair (mid-June–early July), OC Fair (mid-July–mid-Aug) and Ventura County Fair (late July–Aug). The LA County Fair runs in May, and the desert fairs — the Riverside County Date Festival and the Imperial Valley Mid-Winter Fair — run in February–March.
Are county fairs free for kids?
Most SoCal fairs let kids 5 and under in free, and several have discounted youth tickets or free-admission days. Each listing shows approximate pricing — always check the official site for current-year deals.