Why we love The O.C.
• Its energetic fairground fun
• Its sugar-sweet treats
• Its thrill-seeking adventures
Tucked a few miles up the road from Newport Beach, on an otherwise dusty little blip of Southern California, sits a patch of pure nostalgia. It's a destination filled with sugar-sweet treats, the fresh smell of hay bales, and the sound of laughter floating all around, which knocks you right back to your childhood days. This is none other than the O.C. Fair, a mainstay in the community for more than 130 years. And in a time when nothing feels dependable, the fair is back to show everyone they can still count on a little summer fun and togetherness.
If the O.C. Fair inspires some big feelings that’s because it’s such a big part of Orange County’s story. It was formed in 1889, just after the founding of the county itself. It became an annual event in 1907, only taking breaks for World War II and the pandemic in 2020. And now it’s back, delivering the lighthearted escape we all so desperately need.
 Michele Richards
In 2021 when the fair first reopened, Michele Richards, general manager and CEO of the fair, was there to happily greet every single patron. "It's really important to maintain traditions because that's one of the big draws for people to come back to the fair every year," explains Richards, who is working her 21st fair this year. "People want their favorite food, to see their favorite type of animal, or their favorite entertainment, and their favorite exhibit. About 80 percent of the fair attendees are people coming back year after year."
But whether you’re a returning fair fanatic or a newbie, you can expect all the vintage favorites, from funnel cakes to pie-making contests, alongside throwback events out of the vault, like monster truck rallies, motocross, and a craft beer festival, so everyone can toast to the good old days and the better ones to come.
"It's just a beautiful time to spend making memories with friends and family and feeling that real sense of community because the OC Fair is the largest gathering of people in the county. It's the biggest party of the year,” Richards says. “And I just love to watch people's faces, to see the pure joy."
In this edition of The WeekEnder, we’re hitting the fair and taking you through some of the coolest attractions, must-stop food stalls, and nearby hotels so you can play all day and relax well into the night.
—Stacey Leasca, SoCal’s Senior WeekEnder Guide
Map of the area
1. The Hangar
2. Fair Competition Grounds
3. Centennial Farm
4. The Zipper
5. Motocross
6. The Courtyard
7. Balboa Bay Resort
8. Lido House, Autograph Collection
9. Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa
10. The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa
11. Costa Mesa Guest House
Things to do
Get ready for sing-a-longs and rides, X-treme sports and extreme cuteness (with piglets!)
 The Hangar
Rock on at The Hangar: Sing and dance your heart out at The Hangar, one of two live music venues at the fair. Performances include tribute bands like Petty Or Not (a tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Journey Unauthorized (Journey), and No Duh (a tribute to local greats No Doubt). Tickets to each concert are sold separately. Check the schedule and snag tickets here.
Take in the talent at a fair competition: Think of this as “America’s Got Talent,” O.C. edition. The fair invites guests to participate in contests ranging from classics like baking and cooking competitions, to arts and livestock, and even a home wine-making competition, so amateur vintners can showcase their varietals. You can enter if you feel like you’ve got the right stuff, or just enjoy the friendly clash of the cookie titans and see who takes home first prize.
 Centennial Farm (L), The Zipper (R)
Visit the cutest animals in the O.C.: No O.C. Fair experience is complete without visiting its beloved curly-tailed and baby pink cuddly piglets. Each year, Centennial Farm trots out its little piggies so fair-goers can coo in delight and snap a zillion pictures. Richards says visitors can expect something special this year—a brand-new litter due for delivery in early August. If you time your visit right, you may see the littlest piglets take their wobbly first steps around the fairground.
Zoom around a zipper, a twister, a moonraker, and more: Thrill-seekers will have one thing on their mind: Finding the ride that’ll have their stomach flipping, arms flailing, and cheeks sore from laughing and screaming. And then riding them again and again. Try out a few gentle rides like the fair’s carousels and Ferris wheels, or go for something a bit more scream-inducing like the tilt-a-whirls and rollercoasters across the park. The booster ride will fling you up into the air and back down again so fast you won’t even know what hit you (in a good way, we swear). Get a ticket to ride the fair’s largest ride, The Titan, if you dare. Make sure to wear closed-toe shoes, as many rides require the appropriate footwear.
Watch some extreme sports up close at motocross: Looking for another quick hit of adrenaline? Watch the athletes do their thing at the X-treme Moto-X event. These daredevils zoom over obstacles, throw twists, flips, and kicks, all while catching massive air. Tip: Pack some earplugs in case the roaring engines drone on too long.
Where to eat and drink
Classic crowd-pleasing summer eats and treats, plus a few spots to raise a glass
 Dutchmen’s Funnel Cake
For a hot and cheesy slice, Papa Gino’s Pizza: For a simple—but ooey-gooey delicious—slice, head to Papa Gino’s Pizza. The Italian-inspired eatery in the Family Fairway serves pies and slices that never disappoint. Even better, the pizzeria takes part in the fair’s $4 Taste of Fair Food menu, allowing visitors to sample bites from all around the fair for just a few bucks. At Papa Gino’s you can get a slice of pepperoni with the offer, but warning, one probably won’t be enough because it’s just that good, so bring along a little extra cash for seconds.
For an only-at-the-fair treat, Dutchmen’s Funnel Cake: If you didn’t have funnel cake, did you even go to a fair? Even just watching that vanilla-scented batter in its lacey design get dunked in oil and turn a delicious golden yellow is an essential part of the experience. Ready to chase one down? Race over to Dutchmen’s, located in the Main Carnival area, for the fair’s essential food, and sprinkle on as much powdered sugar as you think you can handle.
Olde Tyme Ice Cream (L), The Courtyard (R)
For a sweet bite of summer, Chuckwagon Corn: If you had to describe what “summer” tastes like, chances are you’d pick the sweet tang of a big yellow ear of corn dusted with salt and finished with a square of butter. And that’s exactly what you’ll get at Chuckwagon Corn. Located at Fair Square, this vendor will happily hand you a full ear of its farm-fresh corn right on the cob. It’s as simple as it comes and absolutely hits the spot. Chuckwagon is alsotaking part in the Taste of Fair Food package deal, making it a must-eat stop across the fair. If you’re still hungry you can also order up more of Chuckwagon’s BBQ hits, including plenty of meaty meals to fill your belly.
For a cooling treat, Olde Tyme Ice Cream: Are you a rocky road person or a mint chip? A single scoop or The Works? Whatever your approach, you can cool down with an icy treat from Olde Tyme Ice Cream. The fair staple serves scoops, shakes, floats, and even frozen bananas for those looking to tame their sweet tooth.
For something to chase it all down, The Courtyard: The Courtyard is back again and ready to pour adults a glass of an O.C. Fair award-winning wine. But beer fans are not forgotten. There’s a beer booth, a michelada stand, and a frozen cocktail stand if you need your day topped off with a tiny umbrella.
Places to Stay
Recharge from the fair’s frenzy at these top accommodations
Balboa Bay Resort
For a luxe fair stay, Balboa Bay Resort: After a rambunctious day at the fair, you might be longing for a restful, luxurious hideaway, which is exactly what Balboa Bay offers. The resort, located a 10-minute drive from the fair, feels like a world away thanks to its waterside location and ritzy amenities. Picture a full-service spa, casual California-focused dining venue, and a spectacular Seafood Sunday Brunch. The rooms are extra plush too, with pillow-top mattresses and buttery soft linens.
For an oceanside retreat, Lido House, Autograph Collection: Fun fact, Orange County has more than 42 miles of coastline, making it a prime place to mix fair fun with ocean vibes. And you’ll get just that with a stay at Lido House, situated on the Balboa Peninsula. This beach house-style accommodation has plenty of nautically themed rooms decked out with navy and baby blue hues that match the waters outside, but the real charmers are the cottages. These five mini homes are individually designed by a local decorator and provide enough space for an entire fair-going family to stay under one roof.
Lido House, Autograph Collection (L), Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa (R)
For a one-stop-shop, Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa: At 240 rooms, Ayres could be just another big-box hotel, but even with its larger size it still manages to feel like a homey space with its roaring lobby fireplace on cooler nights, inviting lounge spaces to mingle with other travelers, and comfortable rooms that come with overstuffed leather couches, ideal for kicking back after a long day of walking around. The hotel also boasts two pools for a crisp dip if the Southern California sun becomes too much for you.
For a nearby stay, The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa: Those looking to max out their fair fun can book a stay at the Westin South Coast Plaza, located just two miles from the fairgrounds. While the property allows for easy access to the fair, it also has a lot of attractive qualities in its own right like an oversized pool, gym with additional workout classes, on-site dining options, and upscale rooms and suites with massive flat-screen TVs for movie nights after the fair. And if you’re a Peloton fan and you’re missing your bike, you can reserve one for your room.
For a long-haul fair experience, Costa Mesa Guest House: If the fair is just your first stop on a longer O.C. vacation and you’d like to settle in for a bit, it might make sense to book a vacation rental. This adorable home near the fairgrounds is large enough for up to four guests and comes stylishly appointed in surfer-chic decor. Settle in for an afternoon in the sunny little backyard area or explore with the rental’s bikes. Bonus: The owners live next door and are on standby to help with any requests.
Getting there
From Downtown Los Angeles, simply follow I-110 South to the I-405 South and exit at Newport Blvd in Costa Mesa (Route 55 South). Take exit 4 and follow the signs for the fair.
Listen to
If this guide wasn’t enough for you to get your fair fix, we have one more recommendation: Give a listen to Impact O.C. and its episode all about this year’s festivities. Host Paul Roberts makes it his business to know all the people who run O.C.. In his fair-centric episode, Roberts dives deep into what people can expect and outlines all of his picks for attractions, foods, and events. |
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