Central Valley: California’s natural playground

California’s Central Valley is a flat valley known for its lush scenery, farmlands and natural landscapes ripe for adventurous activities.

It makes for a different experience to the busy coastal roads taking visitors from LA to San Francisco.

It is perfectly positioned between the two California’s main gateways, offering the perfect alternative to the beaches and busy cities.

Outdoor Activities

Take flight in a hot air balloon over hills of endless sunflowers at sunrise in Yolo County, against the backdrop of the Western Hills of Sacramento Valley

All aboard the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad to Yosemite National Park from Madera County. Enjoy incredible views of the Sierra Mountains.

Head into the Sierra Nevada from Visalia – home to the some of the largest trees in the world and an ideal base for exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks while hiking, fishing and doing water sports.

Education and Cultural attractions

Enjoy the new butterfly exhibit at Fresno Chaffee Zoo and learn about their wildlife conservation programs.

Stroll through the Shinzen Friendship Garden in Fresno providing origami workshops and live jazz music in the summer months

Get hands on at the ImagineU Interactive Children’s Museum offering interactive exhibits from science and engineering to farming and emergency response.

Music and Entertainment

Immerse in the ‘Bakersfield Sound’ – the birthplace of country legend Buck Owens and dubbed the Nashville of the west. Drop into Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace offering a restaurant, museum and music venue all in one with weekly gigs.

Step into the movies in Modesto – the birthplace of Star Wars Director, George Lucas, and the inspiration and filming location for his 1973 classic, American Graffiti.

Agricultural Experiences

Embark on a farm tour and U-pick opportunities at Berry Patch and Riverdance Farms for the freshest berries of the season as well as organic vegetables.

Taste the produce at one of Central Valley’s many farmers markets, including the Fresno Farmers Market open year round.  The historic Simonian Farms in Fresno offers a wide variety of fresh produce, nuts, dried fruits and local products.

Lavender Fields in Capay Valley, Yolo County offers PYO bunches in addition to tours and a shop full of lavender-based products

Culinary Tours

Known for its Zinfandels, Lodi Wine Country offers several wineries where families can enjoy picnics and tastings at a fraction of the price in Napa.

Madera Wine Trail: A collection of family-owned wineries offering tastings and tours with the winemakers themselves.

Taste award-winning and family-owned cheese from the Fiscalini Cheese Company in Modesto offering tours by appointment.

Taste a superfood at Sunnyland Mills in Fresno specialising in bulgur wheat products with tours by appointment.

For more information visit: www.visitcentralvalley.com 

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