Jelly Belly Candy Factory
add photosVisitor Center Cafe
Have lunch at the Jelly Belly Cafe where you can order Jelly Belly-shaped pizza and hamburgers. Ready for coffee and dessert? Stop at the Java Bar for espresso drinks or wander over to the ice cream counter for truly decadent ice cream cones. There's even an outdoor patio and picnic area to dine al fresco if you prefer sunshine to neon lights.Cafe hours are 11 AM to 3 PM.
Tours run throughout the day approximately every 15 minutes from 9am to 4pm. No reservations are required. Please plan to bring strollers or wheelchairs, as all areas of our Visitor Center and factory tour lane are fully accessible. Each tour lasts approximately 40 minutes and is a guided walking tour through our large factory.
Weekend Tours
On weekends, they still conduct a full 40-minute factory tours, but since the candy makers are at home with their families, they give their candy making machines a rest. Video monitors show the different steps of our famous candy making process.
For further tour information 1-800-9-JELLYBEAN (1-800-953-5592).
They have added private behind the scenes tours for a fee. It is called the Jelly Belly University Tour and it is for 6 or fewer people ages 6 and up. They go onto the factory floor and at the end get a t-shirt with a "degree in beanology" .
28 Reviews for Jelly Belly Candy Factory
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1 family found this helpful
"Jelly Belly University Tour with school-aged kids"
One of the best pit stops mid-road trip is a stop at a working factory. Not only does this experience teach kids about industry and business, but it can be an opportunity to sample some delicious treats.
The Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield CA offers a 40-minute free tour of its facilities (departing at regular intervals all day long) which lets visitors view the production floor from a second-story bay of windows. However, if you have a true jelly bean lover (or anyone interested in the way things work), splurge for the Jelly Belly University tour.
We've experienced both, and while the free tour is a great choice for families with very young kids or groups on a budget, the JBU Tour takes the experience to a whole other level. You start in the factory store, where you sign waivers and make sure you're wearing pants (versus shorts!) and closed-toed shoes. Then you meet your personal tour guide. Ours, Ron, was fantastic. He not only knew all about Jelly Belly and how these little beans are made, but he knew how to engage kids and keep them interested during the 1.5 hours of our tour. Everyone, from the adults to my seven-year-old, were completely engrossed. (And that's not just because he kept feeding us Jelly Bellies!)
We donned disposable lab coats, gloves, and hair nets before entering the floor (remember, this is a real, working factory…no germs or sticky fingers allowed!). Right away, my kids spotted a huge bin of beans, and immediately wanted to jump in. We all resisted however, as we took in the massive production areas. We started at the beginning, learning how a bean goes from nothing but powder to gaining its signature shape, to being infused with flavor, to receiving its shiny coating. And don't forget about that tiny 'Jelly Belly' stamped on its surface! The process was fascinating: we were able to walk from station to station, watching the factory 'cooks' work their magic at the various mixing bowls, drums, and assembly lines. At each stage in the process, we sampled beans…learning exactly what each part of the process adds to the overall flavor.
Most fascinating to the kids was the huge 'kitchen', where the beans were molded and baked in industrial ovens the likes of which they'd never seen. I found the packaging room most interesting: the robotic assembly process was supervised by (human) supervisors who remained constantly diligent that each and every bag of Jelly Bellies was properly created, sorted, and packaged.
We met various factory workers along our way, who took time to explain their process to us and offer us (yet more) samples of what they were working on. We taste tested beans that had just been 'baked', beans that had not yet received their candy shell, beans that were just out of the mold, still dusted with cornstarch. We learned that a single Jelly Belly takes 5-7 days to create (and you can taste the difference between 1-2 day olds and 7 day olds)!
I worried that my seven-year-old would get squirmy on such a long tour, or forget the 'no touching' rule, but he was so interested (and was fed beans by Ron so often) that he did just fine. My 10 and 12-year-olds were equally interested. After the tour, we received fun Jelly Belly University t-shirts, took some photos (no photos are allowed on the floor…we might have been Skittles spies!), and were given an entire bagful of Jelly Belly samples. (Tip: buy Jelly Belly 'Belly Flops', the irregularly shaped beans they sell for half off!)
The Jelly Belly University tour is $47 per person, and kids have to be at least six years old. No more than six people are permitted per group, and you'll want to make reservations ahead of time. (It's also only offered on weekdays, because the factory floor is not in production during the weekends.) Is it worth the steep ticket price? If you're looking for a truly unique experience, yes. Our guide was excellent, and we got a lot out of it. The whole tour is well run. It's not for families just looking for a quick stop to burn off energy, but is worth saving up for if you have school-aged children.
As I disclose whenever applicable, my family and I were hosted on the JBU tour at no charge, for the purpose of review. While we appreciated the opportunity, it came with no expectation of a positive review.
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2 families found this helpful
"Free, tasty fun!"
I just toured this place for the first time since I was a kid- it was better than I remembered! We went during Christmas break, so it was pretty busy, but the wait in line to start the tour was still only 20-30 minutes long. Once you’ve donned the requisite paper hat, the tour itself is about 45 minutes long and winds in a circle above the factory. You stop various places and the tour guide explains what is happening below on the factory floor, and there are various videos shown along the way, regarding the history of the Jelly Belly. The tour was interesting, and moved quickly enough to hold the interest of my 2 & 4 year-olds. The only thing I was disappointed with: we weren’t allowed to take pictures inside the processing area (keeping trade secrets safe?). Everyone working on the floor looked really happy to be there, and waved at the kids! The guides also pass out different flavors of jelly beans, from different stages in the process. After the tour everyone gets a little bag of jelly beans and head back downstairs into the gift shop, and through a sampling bar, where you get to sample a couple flavors of your choice. The best value: huge bags of “Belly Flops”, which are discounted and ‘irregular’ looking (but still just as tasty!). There is also a big, bright, colorful restaurant area inside, which was cute but crowded & a bit pricey, so we opted to grab some fast food on the way out of town. *Note: the weekday tour that I took showed the factory working- the weekend tours may be less interesting, as they only show videos of the machines (the workers have weekends off).
0 families found this helpful
"Fun for adults and older kids"
My husband and I had a lot of fun at the Jelly Belly Candy Factory and I am sure that older kids would have a fun time too but it was not a tour geared toward young children. My young kids were bored almost immediately. We will stop by again but skip the tour and just get the candy.
1 family found this helpful
"Yummy & Educational, too!"
We visit the Jelly Belly Factory every year around Easter. They have a big production with clowns, crafts and visits with the Easter Bunny. My kids LOVE it! They always have a big sale on their belly flops (Slightly abnormal shaped jelly beans) at that time, too. We love the 45 minute tour and the free samples when the tour is over. The kids love showing their knowledge to the tour guide when asked what the most popular Jelly Belly flavor is (Cherry). It's fascinating to see the factory working right under us and to know the INCREDIBLE amounts of sugar and corn syrup used to make those delicious candies. It's a long walking tour, but you are allowed to bring a stroller. If you plan on attending around Easter, I suggest you get there at least a half hour before it opens because it can take as long as one hour to get in.
0 families found this helpful
"A sweet and unique experience"
The best thing about the amazing tour experience is that it is free! It's a one of a kind and interesting tour that shows you exactly how a jelly belly bean is made. You learn just how many steps and people are behind making the perfect jelly belly bean when it comes to everything from flavor to color, and shape. I personally felt as if I were in the famous Willy Wonka factory from the movie. Overall this a wonderful experience for any age.
0 families found this helpful
"SO MUCH FUN"
I love the Jelly Belly Factory! I just went there at 24 years old. The great thing about the factory is that they offer tours! And during the tours they pass out jelly beans through every stage of the jelly bellys. Plus you get a sweet thank you sack of jelly bellys at the end of the tour. A kid's dream come true
0 families found this helpful
"Even I enjoyed this!!"
Me and some of my family, including the children and the grandparents, went here, and it was soooo fun!!!!!!!!!!! It was very cool to see where some jelly bellies are made!! It is a fun place to go and the kids are sure to enjoy it! I would recommend this to people even if they dont have kids.
0 families found this helpful
"Arrive Early!"
We got there just as it opened and the line wasn't too bad. We only had to wait 10 minutes, or so. By the time we left, the line was bad. It's fine for kids that are old enough for field trips, but hard on little ones. Most of it is done on t.v. and those are hard to see when you're little. It was interesting seeing the process and learning the history of it all. The taste testing was also fun. I didn't like that it ended in the gift shop, so the kids begin the wanting.
1 family found this helpful
"Jelly Belly Factory"
I love the Jelly Belly Factory. It is a great place for kids. You are able to take a tour around the building and watch as they make they jelly beans. They also have samples throughout which the kids love. You are able to try a variety of the flavors so that you can figure out which kind you like best. There is a shop where you are able to purchase the jelly beans you want and there is also a restaurant. The restaurant is expensive, but cute because there are burgers shaped as a jelly belly. The resturant is really big and it is a nice place to sit after or before your tour and just enjoy your family. I recommend this for families of all ages. There is so much going on during the tour and so much candy for the children to watch that they never get bored and are highly entertained. Not too expensive either.
0 families found this helpful
"The Jelly Belly Factory is tons of fun!"
I love this place! You can take a very inexpensive tour of the entire factory and see how all the jelly beans are made and even get a complimentary bag of belly flops. There is a large gift shop that sells Jelly Belly everything! They have clothes, hats, mugs, pens, magnets, pretty much you name it! They even have a room full of clearance merchandise. You can stock up on jelly beans for a fraction of the cost of what you would pay in a store. Kids love going here!
0 families found this helpful
"fun for the whole family"
My family and I were on a vacation in San Francisco last summer and I am so glad we decided to do the factory tour. The biggest downfall was that their was a really long line to take the tour, however the kids were pleasantly distracted by all the candy and little games around them. It is really cool walking through the factory and getting a look at just how they do things and come up with the flavors. Best part is all the jelly beans they give you along the way and purchasing 50% off belly flops! :)
1 family found this helpful
"What! flying jelly bellies?"
Free is good when it comes to Jelly Belly. Who wouldn’t love to know just how this world’s famous candy is made? Well that’s just what you’ll get when you visit here. Upon arrival you’ll see colors pictures precisely in the image of presidents and other famous people made from you guessed it an array of jelly bellies. What great fun a free tour free samples and all the jelly belly items you could ever want to buy all under one roof. Have fun and enjoy
0 families found this helpful
"every kids dream"
ive been here numerous times on field trips with our local summer camp. great for older kids. the tour is not to long and it is intresting. it is a great place for all ages really. i still enjoy seeing all the candy colored and the assorted flavors bag you get at the end of the tour.i will deffinetly be taking my little girl here when she comes of age.
0 families found this helpful
"Great Way to Spend the Day!"
I went to the Jelly Belly Candy Factory a few years ago for the first time and I was immediately hooked. I love the whole factory tour because I find it so interesting how everything is made! The tour itself was really fun for my kids as well, but that might be because they knew they'd get to choose their favorite jelly beans and go home with a bag of "souvenirs".
1 family found this helpful
"Ronald Reagan was here!"
Count how many images of Ronald Reagan you see here as a competition to see who can get the closest. Jelly Belly images of him and many other awesome pictures are very fun to see.
There were 11 cousins ages baby to 10 that all went with us to this factory. They stood open mouthed at the bins of candy below and were fascinated by the turning drums that created the candy coating. Robot arms moved the boxes down the conveyor belts and eager eyes followed their every move. A very helpful video presentation in each room made the experience excellent.
Actually, the best part was all the taste testing of that delicious candy!
1 family found this helpful
"Jelly Belly Factory"
We have taken the Jelly Belly Factory tour a couple times. My biggest tip is to be sure it's not a holiday. The factory is closed on holidays. They will still give tours. The presentation is on a television screen but you won't get to see the factory in action. At the end of the tour you can shop for your favorite flavors in their candy shop. They have a tasting bar where you can taste each flavor they make. There is a cafe on the premises as well. Our favorite part, of course, is coming home with bags of our own mix of Jelly Bellies.
2 families found this helpful
"Free tour and free samples- whats not to love"
I am a sucker for a factory tour. We used to live very close to the factory so we took our then infants with us while having some family in town to entertain. Everyone had a great time. The kids were entertained by all the colors (I think they would like it even mor enow that they are three) and the adults were fasicnated by the info. Everyone got Jelly Belly hats so we looked super stylish. I had no idea the factory made more than just jelly beans! At the end they dump you out into a store where you can sample as many flavors as you would like and be sur eto buy a bag of belly flops (the not so perfect but just as tasty jelly bean defects). If you are traveling along I80 and need a break, this is the perfect pit stop.
0 families found this helpful
"A great free tour!"
On the recommendations of all you Trekaroo parents, we went to the Jelly Belly factory today for their tour and we were not disappointed. Our kids were excited from the moment they spotted two jelly bean covered cars in the parking lot. Then we walked into the entrance and they were dazzled by the colorful jelly beans hanging everywhere. What a happy place.
The tour was about 40 minutes and on a Monday (Columbus Day), we only waited 15 minutes. It was really interesting to see the cool machinery that they use to make and package Jelly Bellies. Our 3 an 6 year old boys were most impressed by the robotic arms and smart conveyor belts. This is a factory tour that kids can totally relate to and were totally engaged with the whole time. The tour starts with the history of the Jelly Bean and the Jelly Belly company history. Then they take you through all the steps of how a jelly bean is made. You get to taste the jelly belly at each stage of the process. The tour ends with a free bag of candy. The kids loved the tasting bar too. I thought it was actually quite educational for kids to see what it means when we say that something is processed as opposed to fresh. I'll admit, I was a little bit of a kill joy explaining that when food is processed like this, and chemicals are added at each step, that the vitamins and minerals are totally killed in the process.....yah dah yah dah yah dah....
Note that on the weekends, the factory is not working. You get to watch all the videos which are very interesting, but the machines are all not moving. I definitely recommend going on a weekday instead. The cafe also serves Jelly Bean shaped burgers and pizza. Some great deasl on candy in the store by the cafe that sells overstocked item on sale by the case. (Yes, I know, I'm not practicing what I preach to the kids.)
The kids were absolutely thrilled and on a sugar high by the time we left. I highly recommend the stop if you're driving by.
1 family found this helpful
"Yum!"
We took a tour of the Jelly Belly Candy Factory on our way home from vacation. I'm glad we decided to stop! We took the tour of the factory, and it was both educational and fun. Even my 3 year old enjoyed looking at the different machines inside. And the tour ended with a free bag of jelly belly jelly beans, yum!
0 families found this helpful
"Jelly Belly Candy Factory"
My family lives in Fairfield we went to visit them and they told us that they would take us to jelly belly it was so much fun for my kid and me that i will go again and again. it is so kid friendly that its was so nice just to be there. We did go at the end of the day but they still took time to make sure that everyone in line got to go in. We even got to see my uncle working down where they make the candy it was great and the free samples were sweet. my brothers favorite was the free recipe book they give you he started making the recipes in the car, of course he lost a few jelly bellies in the car
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