Your TL;DR Travel Guide to Costa Mesa’s Centennial Farm
TL;DR: Located on a corner of the Orange County Fairgrounds, Centennial Farm is a local gem. With various farm animals, gardens, and educational activities, there is a plethora of things to keep everyone in the family occupied. Even better – this destination has free parking and no entrance fee, making it the ideal destination for families.
I have fond memories of visiting farms, petting animals, and learning about gardening. In fact, I went to Centennial Farm in particular a lot. I recently had the chance to go back – and while the buildings have definitely been given a new coat of paint, it still has that same magical charm.
If you are looking for something free and fun to do with your kids (or you are a kid at heart and want to visit a farm), then you should definitely consider Centennial Farm!
Parking for Centennial Farm
Address: 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Hours: 1PM-4PM (Monday-Friday); 10AM-4PM (Saturday-Sunday)
Located off of Fair Drive, on a portion of the OC Fairgrounds sits this adorable little farm. From the main road, there are a few entrances that help you get into the fairgrounds parking lot. Usually, however, most entrances will be coned off. The “main” entrance to the parking lot off of Fair Drive is located across from City Hall, making it fairly easy to spot.
After that, everything is pretty straight-forward. Parking is free (no ticket or validation needed) and you can easily walk through the gate of the farm (there is a large cow statue next to the entrance gate – it’s hard to miss!).
What to Do at Centennial Farm
Check-Out the Animals and Plants
First and foremost, Centennial Farm is an educational-farm. You’ll find your usual animals (hello goats, pigs, sheep, and cows!) as well as a few other fun things during your trip. Most of the farm is meant to be self-guided, so you can explore as the little ones in your life dictate. Occasionally, you may see a special exhibition or class, but that can vary. There is also a small stand with samples of what’s in season, if you’re looking to pick-up a small souvenir to take home. Just be advised, however, that this tends to be very popular and goes fast!
Check out what animals are currently at the farm here.
Take a Class
More for those 16 and up, the farm also hosts special classes on canning and caring for animals. If you’ve ever wanted to keep your own chickens and don’t know where to start, Centennial Farm may have the class just for you! See what’s on the schedule here.
Explore the Fairgrounds
The Farm is only a portion of the fairgrounds, which has so much more to offer! See what events are happening when planning your next venture out to the area. You can also stop by next-door for Heroes Hall, a free veteran museum.
If you are looking for something fun to do with your family this weekend, Centennial Farm is the perfect place for you. With its convenient location, free parking, and no entrance fee, Centennial Farm is a fantastic choice for a day of fun and learning (for people of all ages). Whether you’re a local or just passing through, don’t miss the chance to visit this hidden gem in Orange County.
Let me know how your trip to Centennial Farm was!
TL;DR Travels 
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