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#5 – Attend an event recommended by locals: The OC Fair
(5 Things to do in Orange County)
This is the last post in a series of 6. See post #1 here: 5 Things to do in Orange County
Whenever I travel, I always do a ton of research to find out what events are going on in the area during the time I am to be staying there. My favorite sources are:
- Pinterest (best way to find off-the-beaten path places to see)
- Groupon (cheaper deals on events and attractions)
- Facebook (follow pages to find information and sometimes better deals, and groups for that specific area for travel tips)
A favorite thing to do is to go at least one off-the-beaten path type of place to explore, and also find an event to experience. For examples; when we traveled to Galveston TX, we had a fun time going through some huge antique stores we came across. In Ireland, we attended a piano festival in New Ross. In Florida last year, we enjoyed dinner and a concert at a Jazz Piano Bar. For this trip to California, I planned to attend The OC Fair.
The OC Fair – Costa Mesa
This huge Fair annually begins in July, and is 23 days long! As soon as we landed in CA it was the first local thing a local recommended to us, and conveniently it was only 5 minutes from our Airbnb in Costa Mesa. It features all the typical fair-goer favorites, from animals and rides to new foods to try. We walked through some of the buildings full of crafts and photography, and caught a part of some performances by a few local bands. This fair includes a few bigger venues in the area as well which feature local and international acts throughout the month. You have to purchase tickets for some concerts separately, or purchase a “Super Pass.”
My favorite part of the Fair was taking a ride in “The Largest portable Ferris Wheel in the Western Hemisphere.” This Ferris Wheel, “The La Grande XL Observation Wheel” features enclosed, air conditioned cabins with a great view of the surrounding area.
2nd Favorite experience was the butterfly exhibit. For admission of only $2 you can go inside and walk around as long as you want admiring all the different butterflies. If you are lucky, you might have one land on you, or your Q-tip you are given to soak in cups of nectar.
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Special Mention to the awesome, talented Chalk artists!
For more information you can visit www.OCFair.com
*Thank you for following this OC travel series! Next Month: Fashion Month! September with be filled with Fashion ideas and deals!
Thank you for reading!
-Jillian
Prior Posts about the OC:
#1 5 Things to do in Orange County, California (that are not theme parks) – introductory post!
#2 Find the Victoria Beach Pirate Tower in Laguna Beach
#3 Go Dolphin Watching near Balboa Pier
#4 Shop at Fashion Island in Newport Beach
So totally agree! You should always go to an event suggested by locals, no one knows a town better than the people who live there 365 days a year!!
For sure!
A fair that last 23 days, that’s a serious fair!!
Yep! I would have liked to attend more. So much to go see!
I love going to fairs! 🙂 I’ll have to check this one out if I get to go to Orange County!
Worth every penny! We could have taken another day there.
OMG.. the pig on the ground doesn’t look like it was drawn out of chalk!!! talent lit AF!
I know right? There was one drawing (not pictured) that was supposed to look 3D if you stood in a certain spot! Very talented indeed.