Is CA State Fair affordable? What you’ll pay for tickets, rides, food and more
The 2025 California State Fair is in full swing, which means cotton candy, Ferris wheel rides and plenty of entertainment for all ages.
The fair runs through Sunday, July 27, at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento.
Sacramento Bee photographer Mariana Garcia and I visited the California State Fair on opening day — Friday, July 11 — in search of affordable fun.
As we entered the fairgrounds, we were greeted by jugglers and a fun, high-energy environment.
We went on carnival rides, tasted fair food and explored everything the fair has to offer.
Here’s what we discovered:
How much do fair tickets cost in 2025?
Admission to the California State Fair costs $16, or $10 for children ages 5 to 12.
Are there discounts for fair admission?
Here’s a list of fair ticket deals and discounts to take advantage of:
Kids Day: Kids 12 and under get in free every Tuesday of the fair.
SMUD Giving Fridays: Bring five canned food items to Guest Services on Friday, July 18, or Friday, July 25, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to get free same-day admission. Tickets must be used by 3 p.m.
Senior Discount: Seniors ages 62 and older pay $10 admission until 8 p.m. on Fridays. After 8 p.m., prices return to normal.
Military, Veteran & First Responder Appreciation Day: Active duty, reserve and veteran military personnel get in for free along with their spouses and children on Wednesday, July 23. So do law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders and their family members. Claim the deal by showing a valid ID at the gate or get free tickets online through VetTix or 1stTix.
What are prices for carnival rides and games?
There are dozens of carnival rides available at the fair for adults and kids alike to enjoy.
Before heading to the midway, we stopped by the cash-only carnival ticket booth near the fair entrance. Credit cards, debit cards and mobile pay are accepted.
Fairgoers have seven options for carnival ticket packages including wristbands that offer unlimited rides, a ride on a sky lift over the park and “fast pass” priority access that lets you skip the line.
Prices for individual ride or game tickets range from $20 for 17 to $100 for 97. Unlimited ride wristbands cost $50 to $80.
I spent $20 on 17 ride tickets in order to get a small taste of the dozens of rides at the fair. Each ride costs between 4 to 10 tickets.
Mariana and I went on the Ferris wheel for six tickets each, totaling 12 tickets. It was very peaceful and beautiful at the top, and I could even see basketball star Shaquille O’Neal performing his DJ set for a dancing crowd.
I had five tickets left, but opted not to spend them on a smaller, kid-friendly ride.
What are deals and discounts for carnival rides?
The fair offers special carnival deals and discounts on select days.
Kids Day: All carnival rides cost $2 each on Tuesdays.
Read to Ride Program: Students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade can read two books, write a summary and bring a completed form to Guest Services to get two free rides and a monorail ticket. One report form is accepted per child per day.
Wednesday Special: Carnival ride packages cost $10 less on Wednesdays.
Need a drink? See prices for water, beer and more
The weather at the fair was very hot during opening weekend, with temperatures hovering in the high 90s and higher. I spent the majority of my money on staying hydrated.
Mariana and I sampled three flavors of agua fresca — watermelon, pineapple and cucumber — from fair vendor Vasqueros Taqueria. Each 32-ounce drink cost $13.
The drinks were sweet and refreshing. It was incredibly noticeable that each drink was made with fresh fruit, to the point that I could feel pineapple tingling my tongue.
By far my favorite was the cucumber and lime. I love any drink that has a tinge of sour.
After being under direct sun in 100-degree weather, the agua frescas were beyond wonderful. I would highly recommend trying them.
As we continued to explore the fairgrounds, water was a must-buy for $4 a bottle. You can also get a drink for free at water fountains near the bathrooms.
Fountain drinks cost about $4 to $6, or about $7 for a 37-ounce refillable souvenir cup.
Fairgoers can expect to pay around $12 to $30 depending on whether they order a craft beer or a cocktail.
What are prices for food at Cal Expo?
The California State Fair has about 150 food vendors offering everything from corn dogs, and cotton candy burgers to pineapple fried rice and tacos. Each brings their own special twist.
On average, you can expect to pay $15 to $20 dollars per meal. Many specialty items are priced higher, such as whole pizzas for $35.
I ordered a vegetarian patty gyro for $17 from a stand called Gyros. It came with lettuce, tomato, onion, tzatziki sauce, feta cheese and olives in a pita.
It was simple, savory and incredibly filling.
Craving dessert? You can find cotton candy, funnel cakes and other treats throughout the fairgrounds.
Funnel cakes cost $12 to $20, with individual prices depending on the toppings.
One stand offered 10 options for toppings, including s’mores, Nutella and “The Works” with strawberries, peaches, whipped cream and chocolate chips all for under $20.
Overall, food at the fair is big, filling and classically delicious.
What can you do for free at the Sacramento fair?
Although carnival rides are fun, the free entertainment at the fair is what I enjoyed the most.
There were beautiful farm animals, interactive science exhibits and even a candy maze. Many attractions were in air-conditioned buildings, which was a wonderful addition to the learning experience.
At the “POPnology” exhibit near the main carnival rides area, we saw examples of technology from popular films and TV shows including Hal from “2001: A Space Odyssey” and the DeLorean car from “Back to the Future.”
Afterwards, we went to the Candy Maze Selfie Experience, which gives guests the option of grabbing a basket and filling it with Ring Pops, gummy hamburgers and other candy for $7.35 for a half pound.
I made my way through the candy maze and reminisce on my favorite childhood candies while watching adults and children alike fill baskets with colorful treats.
There are also several photo opportunities, including a pink diner where you can snap a self with C-3PO from “Star Wars.”
The exhibit was cute and definitely made for people with a sweet tooth.
Mariana and I then made our way to the Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn, where we met talkative goats, sheep and cows and even witnessed a rebellious goat trying to escape. I even befriended a cow named Marv, who was soft and incredibly kind.
There were young farmers everywhere, caring and making sure their animals were hydrated and surviving the heat.
Following our animal meet-and-greet, we caught the “Sea Lion Splash Show.” Several sea lions showed their talents with dancing, ball balancing and silly interactions with their trainers.
We also stumbled upon an interactive science exhibit where we met live snakes and geckos, experimented with a Slinky falling down stairs and played with a giant bubble maker.
The best free entertainment we experienced at the fair was a concert by hip hop star Ludacris, who was performing at the Sky River Casino Stage as part of the fair’s Toyota Concert Series. Concerts are free with fair admission.
Although Ludacris was a bit late, he made up for it with a high-energy and interactive performance. People of all ages were dancing and rapping along with popular songs including “Act A Fool” and “Area Codes.”
Is the California State Fair affordable?
With its relatively expensive food and carnival rides, the California State Fair wasn’t an incredibly affordable experience.
After dropping $16 on admission, I spent about $58 on food, two water bottles, an agua fresca and 17 carnival ride tickets.
However, I still found opportunities to save.
From concerts to interactive games, free attractions were the true gems of the fair. More people should take advantage of these options.
I had a full day at the fair. By the end of it, I was exhausted but had made some wonderful memories.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
