Webcam with a view of pigs at Centennial Farm

Centennial Farm in Costa Mesa — a working farm within city limits

In the heart of Orange County, on the grounds of the OC Fair & Event Center in the city of Costa Mesa, lies Centennial Farm — a three-acre working farm established in 1989. This is not a museum or an attraction, but a real agricultural enterprise where vegetables and fruits are grown and domestic animals are raised. Pigs are among the farm's permanent residents, and it is them you can observe through the live webcam.

Costa Mesa is a city with a population of about 113,000 people, located in Southern California, just a few kilometers from the Pacific coast. Despite the urban character of Orange County, Centennial Farm preserves a rural atmosphere and fulfills an important educational mission — introducing children and adults to the basics of agriculture.

What the farm webcam shows

The live camera is installed in the pig enclosure. In the frame is a fenced area with metal bars, where light-colored pigs rest on a bed of straw or wood shavings. The camera provides a top-down view, allowing you to observe the animals' behavior: how the mother pig interacts with her piglets, how they feed and rest. The lighting in the enclosure creates characteristic shadows from the fence bars on the floor — this helps you understand what time of day it is on the farm.

The live stream from Centennial Farm is available free of charge and without registration. This is not a recording — you see what is happening on the farm right now. On different days, the frame may show both adult pigs and small piglets, especially during post-farrowing periods.

Centennial Farm's educational mission

Centennial Farm was created with a clear purpose — to teach children the basics of agriculture and show where food comes from. The farm offers two main youth programs: Discovery Days — open house days with cow milking demonstrations, and Junior Farmer Tours — tours for young farmers where children can participate in caring for animals and plants.

Part of the harvest grown on the farm is donated to local food banks. This is part of an educational program that teaches teenagers the importance of sustainable agriculture and supporting local communities. Raising pigs on the farm is not for commercial meat production, but as part of the learning process: children learn how to care for animals, what they eat, and how they develop.

Farm hours and camera availability

Centennial Farm is open to visitors on a specific schedule: on weekdays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, on weekends from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In summer, during the OC Fair (usually from mid-July to mid-August), the farm operates daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, but access is only possible with a fair ticket. Outside the fair season, the farm may be closed to the public — current information should be checked on the official website.

The pig webcam broadcasts around the clock, regardless of whether the farm is open to visitors or not. This means you can watch the animals at any time — both day and night. However, keep in mind that visibility in the enclosure may be limited during dark hours due to lighting conditions.

Seasonal features of the broadcast

What you see on the camera depends on the season and the current situation on the farm. In spring and early summer, there is a high chance of seeing piglets in the frame — this is when farrowing usually occurs. A mother pig with a litter of energetic piglets is one of the most touching scenes you can observe through the webcam.

In winter and late autumn, pigs are less active, spending more time lying on the bedding. In summer, in the heat, they also prefer to rest in the shade. Lighting changes throughout the day: in the morning and evening, shadows from the fences are longer, during the day they are shorter and more contrasty. These details help viewers determine the approximate time on the farm by watching the stream.

How to get to Centennial Farm

Centennial Farm is located on the grounds of the OC Fair & Event Center at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. It is in the center of Costa Mesa, not far from the 405 freeway and South Coast Plaza shopping center. Parking on the complex grounds is free on days when no major events are held.

You can reach Costa Mesa by car from Los Angeles (about an hour's drive south) or from San Diego (about an hour and a half north). Public transportation is represented by OCTA buses, but getting there by bus is less convenient due to the need for transfers.

Other animals on the farm

In addition to pigs, Centennial Farm is home to goats, chickens, cows, and sheep. The farm grows seasonal vegetables and fruits: tomatoes, pumpkins, corn, citrus. All of this can be seen if you visit the farm in person. However, the webcam is installed only in the pig enclosure — you cannot watch other animals in real time.

Pigs were chosen for the online broadcast for a reason: they are among the most expressive and social animals on the farm. Their behavior is varied — from actively rooting through the bedding to tender interactions with piglets. Watching them is interesting for both children and adults.

Frequently asked questions

Can I watch the stream for free? Yes, the webcam is available without registration and free of charge. This is a live stream from Centennial Farm in Costa Mesa.

Does the camera work at night? Technically, the broadcast runs around the clock, but visibility in the enclosure is limited during dark hours. During the day, the image is much clearer and more detailed.

When can I see piglets? Piglets most often appear in the frame in spring and early summer. Exact dates depend on the farrowing schedule on the farm, which varies from year to year.

What should I do if the camera is not working? The stream may be temporarily interrupted for maintenance or connection issues. Try refreshing the page after a few minutes.

What you can see on the camera

The Centennial Farm webcam shows the pig enclosure with metal fencing. Inside is a bedding of straw or wood shavings, on which light-colored pigs lie. Depending on the season and time of day, the frame may show both adult pigs and piglets. The lighting creates characteristic shadows from the fence bars on the floor — by them you can determine the approximate time on the farm. The camera provides a top-down view, allowing you to observe the animals' behavior in real time: feeding, resting, interaction between the mother pig and her piglets. The live stream from Costa Mesa farm is an opportunity to see real rural life within a major city in Southern California.