The historic Cow Palace was built in 1941, as a premier livestock pavillion inspired by the success of livestock and agricultural pavilions at the 1915 Pan Pacific Exposition. The Cow Palace fulfills its agricultural mission through the production of the Grand National Rodeo and Jr. Livestock Show. Over the years, the Cow Palace evolved into a premier event venue and community resource. It has hosted great names in entertainment from Elvis and the Beatles, Dolly Parton and Journey, to Metalica and Prince. Many made family traditions out of attending ice shows and Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus performances. The Cow Palace sports history includes the Warriors, Sharks, and the SF Examiner Games track meet. Today the Cow Palace provides a versatile venue for concerts, industry conferences, exhibitions, family entertainment, emergency response, and community resources, as well has a home for the beloved Great Dickens Christmas Fair.
The Cow Palace is an affordable entertainment across genres and generations from concerts to carnivals.
The venue is a gathering place for community needs such as the San Francisco Marin Food Bank, SF SPCA pet clinics, thrift sales, and driver training for SFMTA and AMR ambulance.
The fairgrounds use is also called upon regularly for training exercises by area law enforcement agencies and fire departments. Redwood Acres is committed to serving our community during times of disaster.
1215 K Street, Suite 1150 Sacramento CA 95814
Our Mission
California fairgrounds and venues play a critical role in leading emergency and disaster response operations when our communities need it the most.
