In the Spotlight
Gymboree Play and Music – Rohnert Park
Just a little ways down the freeway from Santa Rosa, you will find a brand new Gymboree Play and Music. Try a preview class for free and see if it’s right for your preschooler.
Camping at Spring Lake – Santa Rosa
Take your preschooler camping at Spring Lake and enjoy all the fun of the outdoors without being too far from “civilization!”
Santa Rosa Parks and Recreation Classes for Preschoolers
Sign your preschooler up for some exciting classes offered by Santa Rosa Parks and Recreation.
Jelly Belly Tour - Fairfield
Fairfield, California is the home of the Jelly Belly factory. With tours daily, it is easy to plan a last minute trip to check it out. Your preschooler will learn the history of the candy, how they are made, where they are shipped to, all the different flavors and more during the tour. But, there are definitely some things to keep in mind if you are taking a preschool age child to this magical place.
Next, you are guided upstairs to a little “museum” area where there are enlargements of old photos and a video to watch explaining the history of the company. The tour guides are knowledgeable but depending on the one you get, he/she may be hard to understand.
After the video, you are guided through the factory with video stops throughout, describing the different stages that the sweet treat goes through before it becomes a Jelly Belly. The whole tour lasts about 45 minutes and at the end you are treated to a small bag of free Jelly Bellies.
After the tour, you can explore the gift shop, the Jelly Belly tasting bar, the handmade chocolate candy counter, and you can enjoy lunch or a treat at their snack bar. In the snack bar area, there are some vending machine games where your preschooler can win more Jelly Bellies.
• Eat before going instead of buying food at the restaurant. The prices seem reasonable enough but it may be best to eat before getting there because, no matter how firm you are about not eating the candy, your preschooler will undoubtedly munch on a few.
• If you are not a fan of long lines or crowds, DO NOT go during a special event or school holiday (such as spring break). You could wait in line for an hour or more just to get into the building! This is definitely not fun for preschoolers.
One Jelly Belly Lane
Fairfield, CA 94533
1-800-9-JELLYBEAN
Open Daily 9-5
Closed on major holidays
Machines are not running on weekends even though they have tours.
Check their site to make sure they are not having any shut downs during your visit.
What to Expect
When you arrive, you will see giant blow up “Jelly Belly Guys” outside welcoming all who come. At this point, depending on the day, you may have to stand in line to get in. You will be entering by way of the restaurant and further into the lobby area of the building. Everyone going on the tour is given a paper hat donning the Jelly Belly logo (you must wear your hat at all times).Next, you are guided upstairs to a little “museum” area where there are enlargements of old photos and a video to watch explaining the history of the company. The tour guides are knowledgeable but depending on the one you get, he/she may be hard to understand.
After the video, you are guided through the factory with video stops throughout, describing the different stages that the sweet treat goes through before it becomes a Jelly Belly. The whole tour lasts about 45 minutes and at the end you are treated to a small bag of free Jelly Bellies.
After the tour, you can explore the gift shop, the Jelly Belly tasting bar, the handmade chocolate candy counter, and you can enjoy lunch or a treat at their snack bar. In the snack bar area, there are some vending machine games where your preschooler can win more Jelly Bellies.
Helpful Tips for the Tour
• Have your preschooler use the restroom before the tour. The restroom is at the beginning of the tour so if your preschooler decides he/she needs to go, you have to back track your way through the factory to get to it.• Eat before going instead of buying food at the restaurant. The prices seem reasonable enough but it may be best to eat before getting there because, no matter how firm you are about not eating the candy, your preschooler will undoubtedly munch on a few.
• If you are not a fan of long lines or crowds, DO NOT go during a special event or school holiday (such as spring break). You could wait in line for an hour or more just to get into the building! This is definitely not fun for preschoolers.
Details
Jelly Belly Visitor Center & TourOne Jelly Belly Lane
Fairfield, CA 94533
1-800-9-JELLYBEAN
Open Daily 9-5
Closed on major holidays
Machines are not running on weekends even though they have tours.
Check their site to make sure they are not having any shut downs during your visit.
