California Exposition

The California Exposition is a self-sufficient operation that receives no government funding but still has an estimated economic impact of more than $250 million on the region.

[1] An agricultural exposition was organized and held in San Francisco in 1854,[2] and California Historic Landmark #861 marks the site.

[3] Given that travel was difficult in that era, the next several annual expositions were held at different locations around the state, including Sacramento (1855),[4] San Jose (1856),[5] Stockton (1857),[6] and Marysville (1858).

Capitol Park, a six block site bounded by E, H, 20th and 22nd Streets (38°34′48″N 121°28′37″W / 38.580°N 121.477°W / 38.580; -121.477) was purchased and was home to the state fair for the next fifty years.

[8] Growth in population and attendance forced the purchase of 80 acres (320,000 m2) just outside the city limits on Stockton Boulevard (38°33′07″N 121°27′07″W / 38.552°N 121.452°W / 38.552; -121.452), and the first fair was held there in 1909.

Funds were not allocated to begin construction on this land until 1963, and the State Fair continued at the Stockton Boulevard grounds until 1967.

In 2012, the Disneyland Resort donated to Cal Expo the iconic 'CALIFORNIA' letters that previously stood in front of Disney California Adventure from its 2001 opening until 2011.

Cal Expo is home to one of three operating permanent monorail system in California - the others can be found at Disneyland and Gilroy Gardens.