Welcome To California's Central Valley

Yolo County is like a breath of fresh air, perfectly situated in Northern California just a short distance away from Sacramento, Napa and the San Francisco Bay Area. The area is historic, charming, and quaint with small towns that leave a big impression, offering a range of experiences that are home grown and rooted in authenticity. So come savor the seasons with us and gather year-round to discover where good times grow.

Nestled in the rolling hills just west of Sacramento Valley -- an hour from San Francisco, and within minutes of the Napa and Sonoma wine countries – Vacaville, California is a special place to live, work, play, and visit. Our pastoral setting, charming and vibrant downtown, and world-class shopping make Vacaville a perfect getaway or home base to your Central Valley California vacation experience.

Nestled in the heart of Northern California, less than an hour from both San Francisco and Sacramento and just 15 minutes from Napa Valley, Fairfield is best known for being home to the world-famous Jelly Belly Factory.

As proud as Fairfield is of its iconic attraction, there is so much more to see and do. The picturesque Suisun Valley, home to over a dozen tasting rooms, is a place for visitors searching for world-class wines and calm and beautiful country roads. If you're looking for a different flavor of fun, check out our locally-owned breweries and taprooms. 

Look around and discover there is so much to see and do in Fairfield. Spend the day wine tasting, sample award-winning olive oils, kayak on the Suisun Marsh or enjoy a round of golf at one of our championship courses. The travel opportunities in and around Fairfield are endless! 

Centrally located in northern California’s Central Valley, Stockton is the county seat for San Joaquin County. Stockton is currently the 13th largest city in California with a dynamic, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural population of about 300,000. It is situated along the San Joaquin Delta waterway, which connects to the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Stockton is home to California’s most inland seaport and is located just 83 miles east of San Francisco, and 45 miles south of Sacramento, the capital of California.

Surrounded by rich agriculture and the award-winning Lodi wine appellation, Stockton is home to year-round farmers’ markets, fruit stands and nearby wine tasting. Be sure to request our new San Joaquin County Farm Guide and Map. Stockton is also home to dozens of multi-cultural, family-friendly festivals year-round; pair that with a variety of great dining and shopping, and it’s a weekend!

Oakdale, Ca is in the fertile Central Valley in Stanislaus County along Highways 108 and 120. It is a gateway to Yosemite National Park, the Sierra Foothills and is only two hours from San Francisco. At your service are 5 hotels/ motels, diverse restaurants, many boutique and antique shops. Some fun attractions are their two museums, local Oakdale Cheese Factory, hiking trails and river rafting in Knights Ferry, and if you're looking for a day at the lake, Woodward Reservoir is only a few short minutes away. They also have three local breweries you will have to stop and try! 

Modesto offers visitors distinctive hotel accommodations, a variety of restaurants, and a great selection of shopping. Modesto is packed with unique visitor attractions along with a year round schedule of intriguing events and festivals. With a rich mix of Farmers ’ Markets, produce stands and tours, we provide numerous ways to enjoy a diverse agricultural experience. We encourage you to come stay in Modesto!

Yosemite Mariposa County, home of Yosemite National Park, welcomes you to experience majestic Yosemite in all four seasons. Explore all the things to do in Yosemite, such as seeing awe-inspiring vistas, granite icons, breath-taking waterfalls, and discovering fascinating history, while staying in Mariposa County. 

Whether it’s your first time visiting Yosemite National Park or you’re a seasoned veteran traveler, you’ll always find something new to do here. Search for events, lodging, dining, directions and more here.

Madera County is known as California's Gateway to Yosemite.

As you drive to Yosemite, you'll find that Madera County has much to offer; restaurants with amazing menus featuring fresh locally grown ingredients, award-winning wineries along the Madera Wine Trail and Yosemite Sierra Wine Road, incredible art galleries and inspiring museums throughout the region. It’s possible you may spend more time outside Yosemite than you ever imagined. Add in the outdoor fun and beauty of Bass Lake, and you'll see Madera County, combined with Yosemite, makes for a perfect vacation. 

No matter where you're coming from, Yosemite's southern entrance takes you through some of Yosemite's most iconic spots - The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Tunnel View, Glacier Point and more - all accessed via the Southern Entrance.

 So, come for Yosemite, stay for the wine, the food, the arts & culture and the fun.

Fresno County boasts approximately 300 days of sunshine a year. It is the only metropolitan hub in California centered between three national parks—with Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia only a 90-minute drive from Fresno and Clovis. Known for its agricultural bounty, it is home to 1.88 million acres of the world’s most productive farmland, making it a foodie paradise!

Experience a getaway packed with adventure, whether you choose to explore the national parks, tour the Forestiere Underground Gardens (a home created underneath the earth’s surface, with tunnels, and trees planted underground!), run wild at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, peruse antique shops in Old Town Clovis, sip award-winning wines along the Fresno County Wine Journey, attend a Triple-A Baseball game in Downtown Fresno, relax in one of California’s chilliest beer gardens, marvel at locally made masterpieces at ArtHop, or dine in a nearly 100-year-old brick schoolhouse serving up modernized American cuisine at Schoolhouse Restaurant & Tavern.

Whatever type of travel your wanderlust spirit is in search of, soul-stirring adventure awaits in Fresno County.

This 'Jewel of the Valley' city and gateway to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks is home to a friendly and charming downtown while nestled in the nation’s most productive agriculture and farming region. Stroll along vibrant Main Street for restaurants, shops, arts and entertainment. Here you can find a perfect craft brew and seasonal menus at our locally owned restaurants. Enjoy a Rawhide baseball game, shop at the farmers market, attend one of the many festivals, and explore hundreds of outdoor excursions including Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, just 40 minutes from Visalia.

Real Adventure Starts Here.

Downtown Hanford is the heart of our vibrant city with a rich history and close-knit community. Our downtown is the treasured center of our city with over 350 unique businesses. Its one of a kind shops and restaurants always offer something new to discover. We are place that values friendly service, a unique experience, community, art, culture and history.  Downtown Hanford is a destination where you can spend quality time with family and friends, and enjoy a wide variety of exciting activities.  

The Southern Gateway to the Central Valley, Bakersfield is the birthplace of the country music genre known worldwide as the Bakersfield Sound. Bakersfield is also home to more Basque eateries than any other city in the nation. A short drive from the city puts visitors in the Southern Sierra Nevada where one can experience top-rated whitewater rafting, fly-fishing and hiking.

The River Fox Train, a sister of the world-famous Skunk Train, traverses the countryside of Yolo County just 15 minutes west of downtown Sacramento with multiple rail adventures offered weekly.

Railbike rides; relaxing beer and wine trains; and holiday-themed outings–like Pumpkin Express and magical holiday trains–allow passengers to enjoy activities while becoming immersed in nostalgic railroad charm.

Additionally, guests sightsee Sacramento from a unique perspective: ivy-covered woodlands, expansive acreage, and glistening riverfront views with every traveled mile. RiverFoxTrain.com; (800) 866-1690.

Tour, taste, shop and eat! Hilmar Cheese Company produces more than 1 million pounds of cheese each day! Free tours. See employees package the “big cheese,” a 640 lb. block! Explore hands-on exhibits and taste complementary cheese and gourmet food. Browse the beautiful gift shop. Enjoy famous cheese chowder, fresh salads, and gourmet sandwiches in the Deli-Café. Ice cream and espresso counter. Beautiful park.