Bang for your buck: Bee interns review California State Fair rides — these are our favorites

Camila Pedrosa, Hannah Poukish, Vincent Medina
·5 min read

The California State Fair is well underway — and with it returns Tuesday $2 Rides for All!

Every Tuesday of the Fair, each ride costs only $2 a piece, whether it’s the kiddie Ferris wheel or the brand-new King XXL giant swing ride. Normally, each attraction costs between three and seven tickets, which are $1 each at any carnival ticket booth at the fair. You can also purchase ticket packages or an unlimited wristband for varying prices on other days.

To ensure you’re getting the best bang for your two bucks, three of this summer’s Sacramento Bee interns went out Tuesday to ride a handful of Cal Expo’s coolest offerings in 2024. Here’s what we found:

How did the fair rides fare?

The State Fair offers a diverse selection of rides for thrill seekers of all levels, so the interns rode some of the tamer and more extreme rides to get a representative sample of the carnival attractions.

They rated each ride on a scale of 1 to 5 based on different factors, including height, duration, G-force, thrill, spew factor and more.

You can find a full list of rides on the California State Fair’s website. There is only one Tuesday remaining in this year’s State Fair run, but all of the rides are open every day of the fair, through July 28.

Visitors walk past the Butler Amusements sign at the California State Fair on Tuesday. The fair started on July 12 and will last through July 28.
Visitors walk past the Butler Amusements sign at the California State Fair on Tuesday. The fair started on July 12 and will last through July 28.

Tame rides (average thrill factor two or below)

GIANT WHEEL

Typical price: five tickets

Speed: 2.5/5

Height: 5/5

Spin: 2/5

G-Force: 1/5

Thrill: 1.5/5

Spew: 1/5

Duration: 5/5

Judges’ comments: “Even as a heights hater, this was smooth and enjoyable.” “Really nice, classic Ferris wheel. Smooth ride and really nice views of the park from above. Good break from all spins and thrill rides.”

TILT-A-WHEEL

Typical price: four tickets

Speed: 3/5

Height: 1/5

Spin: 5/5

Thrill: 2/5

Spew: 2/5

Duration: 3/5

Judges’ comments: “This is my favorite fair ride ever, I love the fast spins and this was a good version of this fair classic.”

Paxton Heafner, 11, laughs while riding the Tilt-A-Whirl at the California State Fair on Tuesday. Heafner said the ride was “fast and exciting.”
Paxton Heafner, 11, laughs while riding the Tilt-A-Whirl at the California State Fair on Tuesday. Heafner said the ride was “fast and exciting.”

WAVE SWINGER

Typical price: five tickets

Speed: 2/5

Height: 2/5

Spin: 2/5

G-Force: 1/5

Thrill: 1/5

Spew: 1/5

Judges’ comments: “Very tame, pleasant ride. ... Good for children or people who just like to swing over the park.”

Jillian Dongo rides the Wave Swinger at the California State Fair on Tuesday. The Wave Swinger lifted riders into the air and swung them around in a circle before lowering them to the ground once more.
Jillian Dongo rides the Wave Swinger at the California State Fair on Tuesday. The Wave Swinger lifted riders into the air and swung them around in a circle before lowering them to the ground once more.

VERTIGO

Typical price: five tickets

Speed: 3/5

Height: 4.5/5

Spin: 3/5

G-Force: 2.5/5

Thrill: 2/5

Spew: 2.5/5

Judges’ comments: “Just a higher version of the classic swing ride. Great views of the park and you get a nice breeze on a hot day. The downside is it can make you a little nauseous.”

Moderately thrilling rides (average thrill factor between two to four)

CYCLONE

Typical price: four tickets

Speed: 2/5

Height: 2/5

Spin: 4/5

G-Force: 2.5/5

Thrill: 3/5

Vomit: 2/5

Duration: 3/5

Judges’ comments: “You can spin as fast as you want, every ride will be a different experience”

Isaiah Thao, 11, twists around on the Cyclone at the California State Fair on Tuesday. Thao said he liked being spun around and didn’t feel nauseous after the ride.
Isaiah Thao, 11, twists around on the Cyclone at the California State Fair on Tuesday. Thao said he liked being spun around and didn’t feel nauseous after the ride.

HAWAIIAN EXPRESS

Typical price: five tickets

Speed: 3.5/5

Height: 1/5

Spin: 2.5/5

G-Force: 3/5

Thrill: 3/5

Vomit: 1/5

Duration: 4/5

Judges’ comments: “Super fun mini coaster! You or your seatmate will be a little crushed due to the force, but it’s worth it. “Only ride with someone you’re fine being reeeeeally close to.”

Queonte Auque takes a photo of his 11-year-old daughters on the Hawaiian Express at the California State Fair on Tuesday. “I won a huge blue Cookie Monster for my lady,” Auque said, “but spending time with my girls was the best part.”
Queonte Auque takes a photo of his 11-year-old daughters on the Hawaiian Express at the California State Fair on Tuesday. “I won a huge blue Cookie Monster for my lady,” Auque said, “but spending time with my girls was the best part.”

QUAZAR

Typical price: five tickets

Speed: 3/5

Height: 2/5

Spin: 3/5

G-Force: 3/5

Thrill: 2.5/5

Spew: 4/5

Judges’ comments: “Not my favorite. You’re spun and swung in a small chair that gets a bit of air. The motion made me a bit queasy.”

Extreme rides (average thrill factor four or above)

ORBITER

Typical price: five tickets

Speed: 5/5

Height: 3/5

G-Force: 3/5

Thrill: 5/5

Duration: 4/5

Judges’ comments: “Riders are spun around in the swing and quickly turned horizontally in a disorienting ride. One moment you are staring up at the sky and spun the opposite direction toward the ground.”

Isaac Rice, 11, clings to the safety bar of the Orbiter at the California State Fair on Tuesday. Rice said his favorite part of the ride was when it was at maximum speed.
Isaac Rice, 11, clings to the safety bar of the Orbiter at the California State Fair on Tuesday. Rice said his favorite part of the ride was when it was at maximum speed.

POLE POSITION COASTER

Typical price: six tickets

Speed: 3.5/5

Height: 3/5

Spin: 3.5/5

G-Force: 4/5

Thrill: 4/5

Spew: 1.5/5

Duration: 2/5

Judges’ comments: “Super fun! My favorite ride so far. Great thrills that aren’t too intense but will have you screaming as it looks like you’re flying over the edge on cars that spin you around.”

RING OF FIRE

Typical price: five tickets

Speed: 4/5

Height: 4/5

G-Force: 4/5

Thrill: 5/5

Spew: 4/5

Duration: 5/5

Judges’ comments: “Do not eat before going on this ride! The roller coaster swings riders back and forth in a circle, until enough momentum is built up to turn them inverted. As riders hang upside down at the top of the ring for a few moments, the fear sets in that they might be stuck, until the ride slides backward and turns their stomach inside-out.”

Aleia Deleon, 13, holds onto the handles of the Ring of Fire at the California State Fair on Tuesday. “I liked being upside down,” Deleon said.
Aleia Deleon, 13, holds onto the handles of the Ring of Fire at the California State Fair on Tuesday. “I liked being upside down,” Deleon said.

FREEFALL

Typical price: five tickets

Speed: 5/5

Height: 4/5

G-Force: 3/5

Thrill: 5/5

Duration: 2/5

Judges’ comments: “While from the ground the tower does not seem intimidating, your option quickly changes when you get to the top and can see almost the entire carnival. A sudden, albeit brief, drop straight down has you gripping the seat belt as you become surrender to the forces of gravity.”

The Free Fall lifts riders into the air at the California State Fair on Tuesday. After sitting high above the fair for a few moments, the Free Fall dropped quickly before slowing to a halt at the bottom of the tower.
The Free Fall lifts riders into the air at the California State Fair on Tuesday. After sitting high above the fair for a few moments, the Free Fall dropped quickly before slowing to a halt at the bottom of the tower.

THE KING XXL

Typical price: seven tickets

Speed: 5/5

Height: 5/5

Spin: 5/5

G-Force: 5/5

Thrill: 5/5

Spew: 4/5

Duration: 4/5

Judges’ comments: “The newest edition to the State Fair does not disappoint. ... At one point, riders are nearly inverted and swung back towards Earth. The ride does not last as long as some riders hoped, as two more swings would be more satisfying.”

X SCREAM MACHINE COASTER

Typical price: seven tickets

Speed: 4/5

Height: 3.5/5

Spin: 1/5

G-Force: 4/5

Thrill: 4/5

Spew: 1/5

Duration: 3/5

Judges’ comments: “Did make me scream, it was super fun!” “Perfect amount of dips, thrills and screams.”

Brooklyn Mercado, back left, Aria Black, 8, front left, Sasha Allen, 14, back right, and Amy Brockmeyer, front right, ride the X Scream Machine Coaster at the California State Fair on Tuesday. Mercado said her favorite part of the day was screaming during the various rides.
Brooklyn Mercado, back left, Aria Black, 8, front left, Sasha Allen, 14, back right, and Amy Brockmeyer, front right, ride the X Scream Machine Coaster at the California State Fair on Tuesday. Mercado said her favorite part of the day was screaming during the various rides.