Food and wine is abundant in this region filled with orchards, vineyards and farms. Home to many of California's finest museums and galleries, the valley offers a wide variety of live entertainment, events and attractions welcoming visitors year-round.
From soaring mist-shrouded redwood forests to searingly hot desert scenes, California’s diverse landscapes are a key part of its allure. Most visitors to the Golden State make a quick beeline for its iconic coast, but for those looking to buck the trend, there are some fascinating experiences waiting inland within the Central Valley.
From towering trees to granite domes and peaceful meadows, this guide covers the top experiences that make Sequoia unforgettable. Whether it’s your first visit or your twenty-second, these highlights showcase the park’s wild beauty and rich history.
Although the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park is a little over three hours directly to the park’s entrance, it is worth taking time out of your schedule to extend the drive since there is so much to see on the way. Whether you’re interested in beautiful vineyards, recreational areas or bustling cities, you can find all this and more by taking just a few short detours. But, of course, the road trip is equally fun in the opposite direction, as you may want a bit of relaxation after the epic hiking and sightseeing on offer in Yosemite.
If you're willing to schlep down to Bakersfield to try out new menu items before the rest of America (as a surprising number of fast food fans do), you'll want to head to Ming Avenue.
If you want a small reprieve that makes you feel like you've landed in Europe, Vacaville is the best place for an extended stopover.
If you were to jot down all the things there are to love about the city of Visalia, the list would probably run about as long as California itself.
From soaring mist-shrouded redwood forests to searingly hot desert scenes, California’s diverse landscapes are a key part of its allure. Most visitors to the Golden State make a quick beeline for its iconic coast, but for those looking to buck the trend, there are some fascinating experiences waiting inland within the Central Valley.
Over in California, a town known as "Nashville West" offers up a renowned music scene all its own. But Bakersfield also provides other forms of entertainment — there's a little something for everyone, including great outdoor activities and plenty of shopping opportunities.
THE HANDSOME ART DECO BUILDING... will mark its 5th anniversary in 2025, giving it a still-new-but-definitely-vintage aura. While completing governmental business or a municipal errand is no longer the building's purpose, having a peaceful overnight, with a bevy of luxurious touches and perks, is.
Every year, visitors from around the world travel to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms bloom. What not everyone knows is that there are other places to see blossoms in their full glory — including this unlikely California location.
Southwest Airlines will launch daily nonstop service from Fresno Yosemite International Airport to San Diego International Airport in the fall, the airline confirmed Thursday, Feb. 6.
The almond trees of California’s Central Valley, which spans an area of 1.5 million acres, produce 80% of the world’s almonds and every year, from mid-February to mid-March, the valley’s blooming trees turn the landscape into a sea of light pink and white.
In the heart of California, the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are home to some of the tallest trees on the planet. Here’s how best to explore these other-worldly sites from Visalia, the nearest city.
In California's "gateway to the Sierras," however, there's a small town offering rustic, quiet charm and a surprisingly low cost of living, which means travelers can flock there without breaking the bank.
It’s my pleasure to share the list with Stocktonia readers. Hopefully, you try these and other intriguing wines grown in Lodi.
Beat the crowds and explore the gorgeous gardens, charming restaurants, beautiful antique shops, and world class wineries hiding out in this friendly under-the-radar wine region.
Tucked away in Northern California, Winters is the kind of town that feels like a well-kept secret. With its charming streets, relaxed pace of life, and abundance of natural beauty, it's an ideal escape for those looking to unwind and reconnect with the simple joys of travel.
Kings Canyon was a shocker, giving us a unique experience that feels like the perfect combination of Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park.
Drinkers looking for something more akin to what they might be familiar with in Napa and Sonoma can find lots of dynamic wineries in Lodi. Long prized for its treasure trove of old-vine Zinfandel, the region is rapidly developing into quite the wine-centric destination.
When I say “California wine country,” Napa or Sonoma probably comes to mind first. Or perhaps you’re thinking of Paso Robles or Temecula since we’ve highlighted those areas as wine regions on the rise. But have you heard of Lodi?
Merced’s El Capitan Hotel is a lot more than a pit-stop. Located midway between the Bay Area and the nearby Yosemite National Park, “El Capitan Hotel was originally constructed in 1872, built adjacent to the railroad tracks by the Central Pacific Railroad Company at Merced’s 16th and N Streets to serve train passengers en route to Yosemite,” recounts Robin Donovan, Managing Director of El Capitan Hotel.
THOUGH THE PACIFIC COASTLINE FORMS CALIFORNIA'S GLAMOROUS FACE, IT'S HEART LIES IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY, A BROAD REGION STRETCHING MORE THAN 400 MILES DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE. CITIES LIKE BAKERSFIELD, FRESNO, STOCKTON, AND WOODLAND OFFER AUTHENTIC, ORGANIC EXPERIENCES STEEPED IN HISTORY AND GLOBAL CULTURES. SPEND A COUPLE OF DAYS SOAKING UP THE RELAXED, WELCOMING VIBES.
Cedar Grove will reopen to public access on June 10, 2024, marking the first time visitors can return since severe flooding during the winter of 2022-2023 that caused significant damage.
El Capitan is a "historic hotel, operating for more than 150 years in Merced, fully renovated three years ago to give it a funky, pioneer-meets-midcentury vibe—think record players in rooms, bentwood chairs, and monochrome tiled bathrooms."
Phan’s Strawberries, a small fruit and vegetable stand on the corner of Walnut and North Mariposa avenues, just about a 10-minute drive east from downtown Visalia.
Almond orchards will be blossoming across the state over the next few weeks, including in Modesto.
California's alt bloom is just as pretty as Washington, D.C.'s cherry blossoms.
The Almond Blossom Cruise is making waves, check out the article in the New York Times Travel by Elaine Glusac, The Frugal Traveler
Lodi, the unassuming wine region south of Sacramento, with its 100,000 acres of wine grapes, boasts over 85 wineries, and the country’s highest concentration of old vines.
Experience one of California's coolest sights by visiting Modesto for the annual almond blossom bloom.
California’s agricultural heartlands are often eclipsed by their snazzier coastal counterparts, but pause to consider a trip to the Central Valley, home to some of America’s finest farmland—and in particular, almond groves.
Stockton Restaurant Week is a 10-day dining extravaganza that gives local eateries the chance to show-off some of their most popular, curated, and newly introduced dishes at a unique fixed price. In 2024, we are expecting over 30 menus to showcase and they will all be available here!
See what's new in Mariposa County for 2024
Modesto, California, a hidden gem in the state's breadbasket, boasts a remarkable culinary scene.
THIS was not the California I was expecting. I thought of beaches, palm trees and celebrities. I think that’s what everyone pictures when they think of California but I learned there is much more t…
Unsure where to go and what to do this Veterans Day? Read our blog and find out which top fishing destinations we've chosen for you.
Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield and Stockton all made this list! A ranking of the Best American Cities with metro populations of 500,000 people or more.
Lodi, California, during the fall season, is a picturesque and inviting destination that charmingly captures the essence of autumn.
These beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain towns in California are perfect for those looking to embark on an epic adventure in the Golden State's wilds.
Today, we're highlighting and ranking the best national parks in California
Berryessa Gap Vineyards’ (BGV) received top awards in the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest wine competition in North America.
