Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield: Sacramento Family Daytrip

If you’re a Sacramento local like us, you know that sometimes you just feel the urge to get out of town on a day trip. You want something that doesn’t involve a three-hour car crawl through Tahoe traffic or a frantic search for parking in San Francisco. Enter Fairfield, an often overlook destination just under an hour outside of Sacramento. More specifically, enter One Jelly Belly Lane.

The Jelly Belly Factory is a Northern California institution. I grew up in the Bay Area, and even we did the trek to Fairfield to tour the candy factory when I was a kid. This colorful candy factory combines interactive exhibits, candy-making demonstrations, tasty treats and plenty of fun photo opportunities. It’s a little bit of old school Willy Wonka magic in a modern world.

Our family actually went on Mother’s Day and we had the whole place to ourselves. I guess I was the only mom who wanted to eat jelly beans on her special day! Ha ha!

Keep scrolling to see all the photos from our day trip, read our insider tips, and get all info needed to plan your own visit!

What Exactly is the Jelly Belly Factory?

The Jelly Belly Factory is the home of the world-famous Jelly Belly jelly beans and one of Northern California’s most popular family attractions. This working candy factory produces millions of jelly beans each day in a wide variety of flavors, from classic favorites like Very Cherry to unique (and sometimes weird flavor options) like Buttered Popcorn.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the candy-making process, from the beginning to end. In addition to the factory tour, the facility features a large visitor center, candy store, café, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly activities. Located just under an hour from Sacramento, it makes for a memorable day trip.

Where is the Jelly Belly Factory Located?

The Jelly Belly Factory is located in the city of Fairfield, California, conveniently situated along Interstate 80 between Sacramento and San Francisco. The factory’s visitor center can be found at One Jelly Belly Lane, making it an easy destination for families traveling from throughout Northern California. From downtown Sacramento, the drive typically takes about one hour, making it one of the most convenient and popular day trips for families with kids.

Why the Jelly Belly Factory Makes the Perfect Sacramento Daytrip

One of the reasons this destination is so popular with Northern California families is its convenient location. Fairfield sits almost directly between Sacramento and San Francisco, making it a simple drive for a spontaneous daytrip.

From Sacramento, the drive usually takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic. Because most of the route follows Interstate 80, getting there is straightforward and stress-free.

For families with younger kids, that shorter drive time is a huge advantage. You can leave after breakfast, spend several hours exploring the factory, enjoy lunch onsite, and still make it home before dinner.

Best Kid Ages to Visit the Jelly Belly Factory

One of the things that makes the Jelly Belly Factory such a great family destination is that kids of almost every age can find something to enjoy. From colorful displays for babies to behind-the-scenes factory views that interest teenagers, the experience appeals to a surprisingly wide age range.

Babies (0–2 Years)

Babies may not understand how candy is made, but they will love the bright colors, moving conveyor belts, sounds, and visual stimulation throughout the factory tour. The self-guided tour is stroller-friendly, making it easy for parents to navigate with little ones. Since children under two are admitted free, it can be a fun outing for families already traveling with older siblings.

Toddlers (2–4 Years)

Toddlers are often fascinated by the giant jelly bean decorations, colorful displays, and train ride. While they may not have the attention span to fully appreciate the educational aspects of the tour, there is enough visual excitement to keep them engaged. Parents should plan for snack breaks and allow extra time for exploring the visitor center at a toddler-friendly pace.

Elementary School Kids (5–12 Years)

Elementary-aged children are arguably the perfect age for a Jelly Belly Factory visit. They are old enough to understand the candy-making process, enjoy the interactive exhibits, and appreciate the factory views from the elevated walkway. The combination of learning, candy samples, fun facts, and the train ride creates an experience that feels both educational and entertaining.

Teenagers (13–18 Years)

While some teens may initially think the factory sounds like a little-kid attraction, many end up enjoying the visit more than expected. The behind-the-scenes production process, unique jelly bean flavors, photo opportunities, and massive candy store can be surprisingly entertaining. Teens who enjoy food production, business, marketing, photography, or simply trying unusual flavors will likely find plenty to keep them interested.

The Sweet Spot for Families

If you’re visiting with children, ages 5 to 12 tend to get the most out of the overall experience. However, the Jelly Belly Factory is one of those rare attractions where babies, toddlers, teens, parents, and grandparents can all find something enjoyable, making it an excellent multi-generational day trip from Sacramento.

A Rare Budget-Friendly Family Outing – Jelly Belly Factory Low Prices

Finding an affordable family outing in California can feel nearly impossible these days, which is one reason the Jelly Belly Factory remains such a popular destination. While many attractions charge $30 to $100 or more per person, the Jelly Belly Factory offers admission at a fraction of the cost, making it accessible for families on almost any budget.

Self-guided tour tickets are just $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 3 to 17, and free for children 2 and under, making it surprisingly affordable for families with kids. The admission price includes access to the factory tour, museum exhibits, interactive displays and the Jelly Belly Express train ride.

Best Time to Visit the Jelly Belly Factory

The Jelly Belly Factory can technically be visited year-round, but weekdays are usually the best time to avoid crowds.

If you visit during weekends, school holidays, or summer vacation periods, expect the Visitor Center to be much busier. As I mentioned above, our family visited on Mother’s Day Sunday, and it was very quiet and peaceful. But I think most holidays you can expect more crowds, we just happened to get lucky.

Morning visits are often ideal because:

Parking is easier
Tour lanes are less crowded
Kids tend to have more energy earlier in the day
The candy production floor may appear more active

Fall and winter can also be especially fun thanks to seasonal decorations and holiday candy displays.

*Note: If you visit on a Sunday, it’s not a working day for the candy factory floor. While you can still walk around and take the tour, there will be no employees working or machines running. It’s a little less exciting, but you can still see the colorful bins of jelly beans.

What to Expect at the Jelly Belly Factory

The main attraction is the famous factory tour experience, where visitors can walk along an elevated observation lane overlooking the candy-making operation below.

As you walk through the quarter-mile tour corridor, you get a bird’s-eye view of the production floor where Jelly Belly candies are sorted, flavored, polished, and packaged. Depending on the day and production schedule, you may see workers operating machinery, colorful jelly beans moving along conveyor belts, or massive candy vats in action.

Throughout the tour, there are educational videos explaining the candy-making process, interactive exhibits, historical displays, and fun trivia about the company.

Kids especially love seeing how many flavors are produced and learning how long it actually takes to make a single Jelly Belly jelly bean. Surprisingly, the process can take more than a week from start to finish.

The elevated walkway itself is very family-friendly. It is stroller accessible, easy to navigate, and designed so visitors can move at their own pace.

The Jelly Belly Express Train Ride

One of the most fun additions for younger children is the Jelly Belly Express train ride located outside the Visitor Center.

The small train circles the property and gives kids another fun activity beyond the factory tour itself. It may seem simple, but for little ones, it often becomes one of the highlights of the visit.

Because the train ride is included with admission on many days, it adds extra value to the experience.

Candy Samples and Belly Flops

No trip to the Jelly Belly Factory would be complete without sampling a million different candy flavors!

When you purchase your tour ticket, they give you a free bag of Jelly Bellies to enjoy after the tour (don’t eat on the tour, it’s a rule!). Afterwards you can browse the candy shop which offers nearly every flavor imaginable. From classic buttered popcorn and toasted marshmallow to more unusual novelty flavors, there is something fun about trying new combinations.

One of the most popular items to purchase are “Belly Flops.” These are Jelly Belly jelly beans that look funny (sometimes it’s a few stuck together!) and are basically “mistakes”. Belly flops may look weird, but they taste just as good as the originals. You can buy bags of Belly Flops at a discounted price and they make for a fun gift for friends and family.

Exploring the Visitor Center

The Visitor Center itself is much larger than many first-time visitors expect.

Inside you will find:

Massive candy displays
Jelly Belly merchandise
Interactive exhibits
Photo backdrops
Candy art galleries
Seasonal decorations
Gift shops
Chocolate counters

The colorful décor makes the entire building feel playful and exciting for kids.

One of the coolest areas is the jelly bean art gallery, where portraits and artwork are created entirely from Jelly Belly candies. The level of detail is honestly impressive and worth stopping to take a look.

The Jelly Belly Café

When we arrived at the factory, the Jelly Belly Cafe was our first stop because everyone was hungry for lunch. My kids are very picky eaters and luckily the menu was perfect for young kids. We have mini pizzas in the shape of jelly beans, along with cheese burgers also in the shape of jelly beans. We made sure everyone had a full belly before we headed off on the factory tour.

The Secret Super Discounted Jelly Belly Store

When you first walk into the visitor center, you see a giant candy store with fancy displays and colorful sweets to shop everywhere. These items are all traditional retail prices. But before you spend a lot of money here, check out the hidden discount store first!

When you’re standing inside the Jelly Belly Cafe, you’ll see a sign to the California Visitor center. Right next to the CA visitor center, there’s an unmarked room with plain and simple candy bags for sale. These are the super duper discounted candies. I’m talking a whole bag of Jelly Bellies for 50 cents! These are usually discontinued or soon to expire candies, but still very yummy! The selection will vary every time you visit, but be sure to swing by and check it out.

The Jelly Belly Museum

Across the parking lot from the Visitors Center, you’ll find the Jelly Belly Museum. If the train is running during your visit, it will pick you up at the Visitors Center and drop you off in front of the museum. It’s also a very easy walk across the parking lot if the train is not available.

The museum is a whole separate experience from the factory tour, and it’s quite large and expansive. I would allow yourself at least 30 – 45 minutes to explore the exhibits, take photos with the giant jelly bean, and to shop the additional gift store.

How Long Should You Plan for Your Visit?

Most families spend between 2 to 4 hours at the Jelly Belly Factory depending on how much they explore.

A typical visit might include:

45–60 minutes for the tour
30–60 minutes browsing the gift shop
Lunch or snacks at the café
Train ride time
Jelly Belly Museum
Photo stops
Sampling candy

If you have younger children, you may want to build in extra time for breaks and snack stops.

Things to Avoid During Your Visit to the Jelly Belly Factory

A little planning can help make your Jelly Belly Factory day trip even more enjoyable. While the attraction is very family-friendly and easy to navigate, there are a few common mistakes visitors should try to avoid.

Don’t Leave Candy in a Hot Car

This is probably the biggest mistake visitors make, especially during the summer months (Fairfield can get up to the high 90s in temps). Chocolate-covered treats, gummies, and jelly beans can melt quickly inside a parked vehicle. If you plan to continue sightseeing after your visit, bring a small cooler or insulated bag to keep your sweet purchases from melting.

Don’t Visit Hungry

The candy samples are fun, but they are not enough to replace a meal. Kids tend to get excited and want to fill up on sweets, which can quickly lead to sugar crashes and cranky moods. Consider eating before your visit or planning time at the Jelly Belly Café.

Don’t Wait Until the End of the Day

Arriving late in the afternoon can leave you feeling rushed, especially because a lot of areas close early at 4pm. The visitor center, gift shop, train ride, and factory tour all take time to enjoy properly. Starting your visit earlier in the day allows your family to explore at a relaxed pace.

Don’t Expect an Amusement Park Experience

While the Jelly Belly Factory is a fun attraction, it’s more of an educational and interactive experience than a thrill-seeking destination. Children who enjoy seeing how things are made, colorful displays, and candy samples will likely love it, but it’s helpful to set realistic expectations before arriving.

Don’t Assume You’ll Only Stay an Hour

Many first-time visitors think they’ll make a quick stop and leave, only to spend several hours exploring. Between the factory tour, train ride, candy shopping, café, and exhibits, it’s easy to turn your visit into a half-day adventure. Planning extra time helps avoid feeling rushed and allows everyone to fully enjoy the experience.

Family Tips for Visiting

Arrive Early

Arriving shortly after opening helps avoid crowds and gives you plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed.

Bring a Small Cooler

If you plan to buy chocolates or candy during warmer months, having a cooler bag in the car can help keep everything from melting on the drive back to Sacramento.

Set a Candy Budget for Kids

The candy store is enormous, and it is very easy for kids to want everything they see. Setting expectations before entering the shop can make things much smoother.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Even though the factory tour is easy to walk, there is still quite a bit of standing and walking throughout the Visitor Center.

Check Production Schedules

Some weekdays may offer more active production views than others. While there is always plenty to see, candy-making activity can vary depending on the day.

Things to Do Nearby in Fairfield

If you want to turn your daytrip into a fuller Fairfield adventure, there are several nearby attractions worth checking out.

Popular nearby stops include:

Many Sacramento families also combine the Jelly Belly Factory with outlet shopping in Vacaville or a quick stop in Suisun Valley wine country.

In Conclusion – Is the Jelly Belly Factory Worth Visiting?

Absolutely — especially for families with younger children.

The experience is interactive, affordable, easy to access from Sacramento, and different from your typical playground or museum outing. There is something genuinely fun about watching candy being made while surrounded by bright colors and sweet smells.

Even adults who grew up eating Jelly Belly candies tend to enjoy the nostalgia factor.

The combination of factory views, candy samples, train rides, shopping, and hands-on exhibits makes it feel like much more than just a quick tour.

It is also one of those attractions that works surprisingly well for multi-generational outings. Grandparents, parents, and kids can all enjoy different parts of the experience together.

Table of Contents