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    Santa Cruz County Fair

    4.0 (23 reviews)

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    Pumpkin display
    Lorie N.

    This fair is so different from the usual fairs you go to with rides and fried foods. I started going to this fair because a good friend of mine is really involved in the whole production-- She has 2 of her donkeys that are showcased in the petting area for kids and adults to feed and pet. Let's start off with a list of what makes this fair different from others: *Much more of a community feel here. They have parades with people driving tractors through the main street! *Pig races-- Where else can you find these little piglets racing around? And then if you want to take a picture with one of them, you can do that too. *Camel rides- They had 2 camels that kids and adults could ride on. *Pie-eating contest- Yup, anyone can join for free and the winner gets a plaque along with bragging rights for an entire year. *The best home made fudge and cinnamon rolls. Seriously? Don't take my word for it and try this stuff for yourself. I'm not a big fudge fan but the couple that makes these every year had me when I sampled up their Red Velvet Fudge. Cinnamon rolls that are so good the line is always about 20 people deep throughout the day. *Livestock auctions- I didn't even know that people could do this but they auction off lambs, goats, cows, and other animals. *Art on display by people in the community. *Baking contest where people submit their cookies, cakes, bread and whatever yummy thing they deem good enough to enter. All the winners get blue ribbons next to their baked goods and they are on display for everyone to see. *Contests for biggest pumpkins, best produce too! *Horse racing where riders get timed to see how fast they can drag their partner through the dirt on a rope as they sled along with cowhide underneath them. Yup, this is too much fun. I hope this gives you enough of a taste to come out and try to experience this for yourself. I had a good time and most certainly will check it out again next year.

    Mark F.

    I now have a pretty good idea that you can deep fry just about anything! Even a Cheese Steak? Well I didn't go there (the Cheese Steak, that is), But I did go to the Fair this year. It was crowded and overpriced and full of people stuffing their faces with just about any conceivably bad for you treat. All in all it was pretty fun but because of the heat, I would recommend going at night... They had the usual contests and we did see some pretty cool art including a bicycle converted into Falcor that would have been at home at burning man and an amazing painting painted by a 6 year old. We saw animals and puppies and even a robot that looked like it could be my mechanical brother! We played games like the water squirting race and I won a tiny prize for knocking over some cones with a soccer ball. We rode the Ferris Wheel which I would recommend as you get a pretty cool vantage of the Fair from above. The highlight for me and what I felt was the best bargain at the Fair this year was the craft beer tasting area. Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery and Corallitos Brewery were both there offering a 4 pour tasting for just $5. The brewers were on hand to talk about their beers and they even had a home brew demonstration going. Give it a try for something to do over the weekend but avoid the heat and go at night!

    Getting ready for the horse show!
    A. K.

    This is a pretty nice place and has lots to do! The reason we came however was to enter in the horse show that was being hosted at the time. The the horse stalls are ok but need work in my opinion but will do for the time you're there. Now the grounds are very dry but I don't blame that on the staff/groundskeepers, the drought has really taken it's toll all across California. Over all though i'd recommend visiting! Y'all will have a great time!

    Let's eat some smoked BBQ...YUM!

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

    It's fun- especially at night. Sights, sounds, people watching, food, music- it's the end of summer.

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    2 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    12 years ago

    This is a great outdoor venue. Free parking for handicapped people, but the handicap parking is pretty far away from the entrance.

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    11 years ago

    Fair was awesome love it every time just missed all the snakes I remember one year they had a alligator that was so cool bring it back

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    13 years ago

    The fair it's self was really fun, prices were reasonable but I was hoping for more fried foods!!

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    10 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Santa Cruz County Fair

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    Review Highlights - Santa Cruz County Fair

    They have great fair food, lots of livestock, a cute and silly seal demonstration, lots of foods and crafts.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Strawberry Festival

    Strawberry Festival

    3.0
    (27 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    I was so excited to go to the Strawberry Festival for the first time but was unfortunately very…read moreunderwhelmed. There's not enough strawberry if that makes sense. There's really only the main street that has food with strawberries in it like the strawberry tacos, strawberry tamales, strawberry pizza, etc. The rest of the streets are just full of assorted vendors and other food trucks. I was expecting stands with strawberry jams, jellies, candy, I mean the possibilities are limitless. I tried the big 3, strawberry tacos, strawberry tamales, and strawberry pizza. The taco line was the longest one at the entire festival and they were mediocre. The tortilla is just colored pink and I could barely taste the strawberry in the salsa and the strawberry bits on top also didnt add any strawberry flavor so it was basically just a sub par street taco. You get 4 per order but really not worth the $20. The strawberry tamale was the star and the only thing I would ever consider going back for. It was piping hot with whipped cream and fresh strawberry on top. There's no filling but it's still packed with strawberry flavor and I went back to get another before leaving. The strawberry pizza was good, fresh made so there may be a bit of a wait. I just wish there was more strawberry pieces and jam on top because it looked pretty much like a slice of cheese pizza with a sprinkle of strawberry. Parking was $10 in the city plaza structure, I recommend going early to get a spot as it was pretty full when we left. Overall I wouldn't go back again but good to experience the one time.

    Strawberry Festival comes by annually and definitely brings in the crowd. You can tell everyone was…read morehappily strolling around taking it in. So many amazing foods and drinks to choose from, y first strawberry tamale!! Vendors selling crafts and advertising products! If you've never been, you've gotta go!

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    Strawberry Festival
    Strawberry Festival
    Strawberry Festival

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    Watsonville Farmers' Market

    Watsonville Farmers' Market

    4.3
    (14 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    This is not really a farmer's market in the sensitive beard-toting, subaru-sporting,…read moretepui-tent-habitating eco-friendly organic produce folk sense. No, this is mainly for the street foodie enthusiast, for those into the quickest possible route to $4 slabs of masa packed with an earthy rich mole, chicken, and oaxacan cheese, steaming styrofoam cups of champurado, fresh crispy churros that my fiancee intuitively, aggressively chomps like a pittbull eating strips of bacon, that sort of thing. You come here to binge out on huaraches, sopes, and down horchata like you have no other task in life. You get stuffed here and post up in the old school Ville, only leaving after feeling immensely satisfied, and less impoverished than if you went to a sit-down place pretty much anywhere. I can't help but feeling a couple of these little ladies slanging tamales and empanadas have to be some of the best cooks in Santa Cruz county. More than 4 gringoes max last week sighted in the crowd last time we were there. Bound to blow up. Damn it, another of my favorites out in the interest of the yelper nation.

    We haven't been to the farmers market since the pandemic started but it was great to be back! Wish…read morethey had more venders but I'm hoping that comes back when the weather is better. The new restrooms are great and we really enjoyed ourselves Lots of yummy treats and great customer service the plaza is always a great reminder of growing up in Watsonville and gives a beautiful small home town feeling

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    Watsonville Farmers' Market
    Watsonville Farmers' Market
    Watsonville Farmers' Market

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    Gizdich Ranch

    Gizdich Ranch

    4.3
    (903 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Doing U-pick is fun: rounded up for the fun factor. The fruit is not organic. In case you want to…read moreeat the U-pick fruit on the spot: Bring a basket with holes in the bottom, and bottled water, so that you can rinse the fruit before eating. The lineup: 5/5: U-pick boysenberries: June 4: Blenheim apricots, June: $3.70/pound. About 70% were ripe. 3: Dutch apple pie. Kind of meh. 3: Strawberry shortcake. Bring your own maple syrup and pour some on top; it needs some sweetness. 2: Cherry pie. Kinda meh. For boysenberries, consider wearing latex gloves to keep your hands from getting stained red.

    Every now and then, during strawberry season, we pop into Gizdich Ranch, seeking out a Strawberry…read morePie like one that we got about 8 years ago. While we didn't see it listed on the menu board, when my wife asked the order taker, she knew exactly what we wanted and told her that the wait would be 15 minutes as they made them to order. OMG, it was beautiful! Loaded with fresh strawberries and just enough glaze to bind it, the glaze did not overwhelm the taste of the strawberries. You can't really slice it as created. Instead, you pick off some of the fruit on top until it's down to a manageable height and then we use a large spoon to parse it out. Whipped cream? Ice cream? Both would be excellent accompaniments to be sure, but we used neither.

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    Dutch apple pie a la mode
    Dutch apple pie a la mode
    Strawberry Shortcake
    Strawberry Shortcake
    Dew dropped apples

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    Dew dropped apples
    Moreland Pumpkin Patch

    Moreland Pumpkin Patch

    4.4
    (43 reviews)
    28.1 mi

    I wouldn't recommend going to Moreland Pumpkin Patch if you're planning on doing the family walk…read more It was quite expensive at $15 per person, even for my 2yo. We lined up at our 730pm check-in time and waited 35 minutes in the cold and were only halfway through the line. We left because it would have been another 25-35 more minutes to get through the line. However, the staff was great and the carnival games were fun. Nice to have all of the thoughtful decorations as well, our child loved playing with all of the pumpkins.

    This patch is cute…read more The haunted trail costs $15 per person and there are scheduled appointment times to go in, however the line backs up and you have to wait at least 30 minutes past your appointment time before entering. We did not enter the trail until 720pm, and that is after getting in line at 640pm. Just be aware. Which is fine, my family had fun and the actors inside are funny and well rehearsed. However, since we waited so long, we got out of the trail around 750pm. My kid wanted to play the carnival games, which close at 8pm, so we bought some tickets to play, and were out to the carnival by 752pm, they had already taken everything down and had only a few simple games still up. My kid was bummed, but I figured since there were no refunds, I could go back and get a snack instead with my tickets. I was denied and told to come back next week to redeem the tickets. I know this is all for a good cause and it really isn't too big of a deal, but it is silly that I literally bought the tickets within a minute and then walked back after the carnival being closed and then denied to even use the tickets on anything else and then told to come back next week. They were told not to sell any tickets since they were closing up the carnival early, but I guess it wasn't communicated well. I guess we will be back to use up the tickets next weekend...?

    Photos
    Ninja who got me a few times more than I'd like to admit LOL
    Ninja who got me a few times more than I'd like to admit LOL
    The outside of the labyrinth
    The outside of the labyrinth
    Movie

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    Alfaro Family Vineyard & Winery

    Alfaro Family Vineyard & Winery

    4.4
    (53 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$

    Absolutely gorgeous little family owned vineyard with incredible views and an array of wonderful…read morewines to try. This was my first time here, but our hosts are regular members here and introduced us to this great little winery.....for BYO "picnic" goodies to go with an assortment of fantastic tasting wines. I'm not sure how this membership thing works, but it's definitely worth checking out if you're into wines and enjoy a nice day out either sitting at one of the limited number of tables or chairs looking out onto the awesome views of the winery. My wife and I were just visitors in the area, were brought here for the very first time, and just went with the flow. And, to top things off, there was a solo guitarist playing wonderful instrumental songs while we enjoyed our Picnic and wines. The owner was also there to tend to the guests, engage in friendly banter, and just made sure we all had a great time. Excellent experience.....ok, I admit I am not an alcohol drinker and this was my first sip of wines in many years......yea, I got a bit buzzed probably from drinking too fast....because they were that good.....but luckily I wasn't the one driving :)

    They are open for tasting Saturday noon-5. Their online system seems to book up even if they are…read moreempty. If you can't reserve a spot online, just show up. I've done wine tasting at a bunch of places in Santa Cruz, and Alfaro has maybe the most comfortable chairs, and the best view. The wines are very light bodied, with some yeast and oak. They don't really appeal to me. But it was fun doing the tasting.

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    Glasses
    Glasses
    Alfaro Family Vineyard & Winery
    Alfaro Family Vineyard & Winery

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    Santa Cruz County Fair - festivals - Updated July 2026

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