Astoria Gardens

Pros

• The facility is nice and well maintained.
• The fair has a cute, hometown atmosphere.
• The fair offers great family fun and feels safe with a strong police presence.
• It is a very good place for events.
• It serves as a convenient dog-show venue with many breeds and petting opportunities.
• It is easy to reach by freeway and has good parking.
• It provides a fun open space suitable for a variety of events.
• Families can have a good time with lots of animals.

Cons

• The reviewer found the event not fun and extremely expensive, with high parking fees, admission, and ride tickets.
• They noted only about 11 rides were available and many were not operational, described as "janky."
• They witnessed ride components being swapped between rides, which seemed unsafe.
• The reviewer labeled the fair as boring with few games and overpriced food.
• They argued the fairgrounds should be torn down and replaced with a large convention center.
• They criticized management as unprofessional and the facilities as run down and antiquated.
• They warned that disabled attendees would have difficulty navigating the gravel parking lot.
• They reported that on a free day for disability services, rides were not tested or ready, disappointing clients.
• They described the sound system and event organization as poor, with garbled acoustics and late performances.

Review

Across a collage of reviews, the Vallejo-Solano County fairgrounds emerge as a place with a charming, small-town energy that some still cherish, even as many observers note a broader drift in scale, turnout, and affordability. Several writers highlight a long-standing, family-friendly atmosphere - lots of animals, live music, and a sense of local community that feels both welcoming and a little dated. One reviewer even called the place a "cute little hometown fair atmosphere," underscoring the comfort that comes from a familiar, easy-to-navigate space. The setting won praise for being clean and well kept, with a strong police presence that contributes to a feeling of safety for families and kids.

However, the same threads of sentiment reveal a fair that is not growing in line with the region's development. Some writers compare the fair of today with earlier decades, noting that in the 60s and 70s it was larger, busier, and offered more to do. The sentiment is not universal, but it recurs: Vallejo and Solano County have expanded, and yet the fair seems to have receded, shrinking in size and variety. In particular, several reviews point to a fragile vendor landscape and a limited lineup of rides and activities, especially on slower afternoons. One year described the fair in 2023 as small and quiet with far fewer vendors and more rides aimed at younger children, while the following year's notes describe a much larger footprint with more rides, food options, and merchandise to choose from. Between these snapshots there is a clear tension: a place that can feel vibrant and bustling in some moments, and sparse and underwhelming in others.

Pricing and perceived value are a recurring source of frustration. Across multiple posts, attendees point to expensive admission, tickets, and ride costs, with several mentioning wristbands and per-ride charges that can strain a family budget. One reviewer enumerates a rough math: parking is not always included, rides run in the $6?$10 range, and a handful of games or exhibits are open, leading to a sense that value is uneven. There are specific anecdotes about high-priced attractions - such as a circus option that felt unreasonably costly and underdelivered - and about the overall impression that the food and certain in-fair experiences are overpriced in proportion to the size and number of offerings. Still, some attendees acknowledge that entry fees can be reasonable and that there are affordable moments, particularly for families who focus on the animal exhibits, live music, or the more predictable aspects of the fair.

Logistics, accessibility, and the physical experience of visiting the fair are also a major theme. Several reviewers describe straightforward access via major highways and freeway connections, with parking noted as either free or surprisingly expensive in certain contexts. There are cautions about the grounds themselves: gravel lots, uneven or unpaved surfaces, and even road construction that complicates arrival and departure. Accessibility concerns come up explicitly for handicapped attendees, who report challenges navigating gravel parking and long walks, especially on hot days. Some reviews commend the facility for being easy to reach and easy to navigate, while others emphasize the opposite - outdated infrastructure and antiquated facilities that could benefit from modernization and repair. A recurring sentiment is that the fair needs updates to keep pace with an aging property and growing expectations.

Animal and exhibitor experiences add texture to the overall impression. For many visitors, the farm animals, the petting zoo attractions, and the chance to see hundreds of dog breeds or reptiles are the heart of the event. One reviewer highlighted the dog show as a strong, family-friendly draw, and another called the Reptiles and Oddities Expo "incredible." The animal-focused elements are repeatedly framed as reliable, enjoyable constants - a reason to visit even when other parts of the fair feel uneven. In contrast, some attendees describe the rest of the experience as lacking: limited exhibits, intermittent ride operation, and vendor interactions that sometimes feel uneven or underprepared. The atmosphere remains largely positive when animals and live entertainment take center stage, and safety and cleanliness contribute to that favorable impression.

On balance, the reviews sketch a fair that remains dear to many locals for its warmth, safety, and creature comforts, but that struggles with modernization, sustained attendance, and cost containment. The core appeal - a compact, family-oriented event with a recognizable hometown flavor - persists, yet what people expect from a regional fair has evolved. The fair is clearly still a place where families can spend half a day in a relatively safe, easygoing environment, enjoying the animals, the music, and the light-hearted carnival vibe. At the same time, without targeted investments in updated facilities, more reliable operations for rides and attractions, and a pricing structure that reflects a broader range of options and value, it risks feeling like a smaller, aging version of its former self. If Vallejo and Solano County continue to grow, the fair's future likely rests on balancing the nostalgia that makes it beloved with the improvements that make it practical, affordable, and appealing to a new generation of attendees.

Located in Vallejo, California, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing for seniors looking to retire in a convenient and vibrant community. With several restaurants nearby such as In-N-Out Burger and Denny's, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Additionally, the proximity to hospitals like Sutter Solano Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center ensures that quality healthcare is easily accessible. For leisure activities, parks like Hanns Park and Hiddenbrooke Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Pharmacies such as CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens are also conveniently located for medication needs. Overall, this part of Vallejo offers a mix of conveniences that can cater to the needs of a senior resident looking for a comfortable and accessible living environment.

Restaurants

• In-N-Out Burger (0.2 miles)
• Denny's (0.3 miles)
• Century Theaters 14 (0.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (3.9 miles)
• Dead Fish (5 miles)
• McDonald's (8.6 miles)

Physicians

• Redwood Eye Center (0.4 miles)
• North Bay Orthopaedic Associates (0.6 miles)
• Gregory M. Coe, MD (0.7 miles)
• North Bay Pediatrics (1.7 miles)
• Vallejo Foot & Ankle Clinic (1.7 miles)
• North Bay Pediatrics (4.1 miles)
• Solano Primary Care (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Sutter Solano Medical Center (0.5 miles)
• Sutter Regional Medical Center (0.7 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center (1 miles)
• Sutter Health (8 miles)
• NorthBay Healthcare Foundation (8.5 miles)
• Sutter Fairfield Medical Campus (10.8 miles)
• Sutter Regional Medical Foundation (10.8 miles)

Parks

• Hanns Park (0.6 miles)
• Hiddenbrooke Park (3.3 miles)
• Southampton Park (5.3 miles)
• Waterfront Park (9 miles)
• Shurtleff Park (10.9 miles)
• Fuller Park (12 miles)
• Esther Deaver Park (12.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (6.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (7.5 miles)
• Starbucks (8.4 miles)
• Starbucks (9.5 miles)
• Valley Cafe (9.9 miles)
• Journey Coffee (10.9 miles)
• Jelly Belly Cafe (11.2 miles)

Transportation

• Napa Jet Center (6.6 miles)
• Martinez Station (MTZ) (9 miles)
• Fairfield Transportation Center (12.1 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (12.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Trinity Faith Baptist Church (6.7 miles)
• St Patrick's Youth Ministry (7.1 miles)
• Bridge Ministry (12 miles)

Theaters

• Century Theatres (11.3 miles)