Location: Ventura County Fairgrounds
[Get Directions ➔]
Hey AV explorers, Thomas here, coming up on May 16–17, 2026, the 40th Annual California Strawberry Festival is the move! It’s about 1.5 hours from the AV via the 14 and 5 to the 126 West, and the Ventura County Fairgrounds sits right on the coast – making the drive itself part of the experience. The festival runs 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM both days and is genuinely built for every age in the family.
The grounds feature over 50 food booths with strawberry-themed everything – nachos, chocolate-dipped strawberries, kabobs, fresh vine-ripened berries by the tray, and the signature build-your-own Strawberry Shortcake experience. Three live music stages run all day with a stacked lineup including Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, and Queen tributes alongside soul, Motown, and Caribbean acts. For the kids, an expanded Strawberryland area has carnival rides and non-stop puppet and magic shows at the Family Fun Stage. Nearly 150 arts and crafts vendors round out the grounds.
General admission is $15 for adults, $10 for active military and seniors 62+, $8 for kids 5–12, and children 4 and under are FREE. Tickets are available at the gate – no advance booking needed. Onsite parking is $30 and limited, but a free Strawberry Express Shuttle runs from five stops nearby, and the Ventura Amtrak/Metrolink station is right across the street if you want to skip the drive entirely.
Making it a Full Day:
The fairgrounds are steps from the beach and blocks from downtown Ventura’s Main Street, packed with craft breweries, restaurants, and boutique shops. The beach is right there if the kids still have energy after the rides and shortcake. For a longer adventure, Ventura Harbor Village offers waterfront dining and ferry access to Channel Islands National Park.
Thomas’s Local Tips:
- 🌅 Arrive at opening (10am) – The crowds and food lines build fast after 11am. Getting there early means the best pick of vendors, shorter waits, and prime spots near the stages.
- 🍓 Hit the Shortcake booth first – The build-your-own Strawberry Shortcake experience is the signature stop and the line grows all day. Make it your first move.
- 🚌 Use the free shuttle – Onsite parking is $30 and fills up quick. The free Strawberry Express Shuttle is legitimately easy and saves the headache.
- 🎵 Map out the stage schedule – Three stages means tough choices. Check the lineup at castrawberryfestival.org before you go so you’re not wandering between acts.
- 💵 Bring cash – Many food vendors are cash-preferred and ATM lines get long. Stock up before you leave the AV.
Nature’s calling, it’s time to pick up… See you out there!
