The fair was located in Santa Ana, except for a brief interval after World War I, when it was moved to Huntington Beach.

[4] Following World War II the 32nd District Agricultural Association was formed by the state of California, and it took on the task of running the fair.

The state purchased land from the Santa Ana Army Air Base and set some of it aside for use as a new fairgrounds.

The fairgrounds' 150 acres has been the home of the fair ever since 1949 and has expanded to an annual 23 day summer event.

[6] On April 27, 2020, for the first time in 75 years, the 2020 fair was cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; since 2021, hand sanitizers were installed within the premises, to prevent this and other diseases from spreading, plus social distancing & wearing masks are being adhered to.