Sweet & Colorful Inspiration at the Jelly Belly Factory

Welcome to the Jelly Belly Factory!

We enjoying having family & friends in town, as it is the perfect motivation to check out new Northern California destinations.  While planning for my mother's visit, I sent her links to a variety of NorCal venues to gauge her interests.  I was so excited when she said yes to touring the Jelly Belly factory, as I've been wanting to check it out for some time now!!

We were so excited that we woke up early and were in the first group on the self-guided Factory tour.  The tour is approximately a quarter mile long and starts out on the 2nd floor where you have a birds' eye view into all steps of the Jelly Belly making and packaging processes, which takes 7-14 days from start to finish.  Along the tour route, there were monitors playing short video clips explaining the various steps a jellybean goes through in the factory.  Some of the processes were just mesmerizing to watch, especially as the conveyor belt loaded different colored jellybeans up into a large rotating drum or dumped out batches for packaging. 

Jelly Belly Making Below

There were lots of fun detours along the way as well:  playing virtual goalie to block out jellybeans, sorting out the belly flops, sniff and guess the various scents, and a photo op with Mr. Jelly Belly.

Jelly Belly Fun & Games

There was lots of Jelly Belly Artwork on display throughout the tour and factory.  While there were a few sculptures along the way, I was especially fascinated with the jellybean mosaics.  Most of the mosaics are at least 4' wide/long, and are made using 12,000+ jellybeans.  They even have an Artist in Residence!!

Jelly Belly Artwork

Here are a few more close ups of the Jelly Belly Mosaics to see the incredible detail and shading that is possible using this sweet medium.

Jelly Belly Mosaics and Details

Of course, Former President and Jelly Belly aficionado, Ronald Reagan, was included as part of the tour including several mosaics, sniffing game, and display.  Here is a short article to learn more about Ronald Reagan's history with Jelly Belly jellybeans.

#1 Jellybean Fan:  President Ronald Reagan

At the end of the tour, we sampled some Jelly Belly treats, and purchased some more to take home with us!!  If you are ever up by Fairfield, CA, I highly recommend visiting the Jelly Belly Factory and the Factory Self-Guided Tour.  Who knows--it may just inspire a quilt or two!?!