At the doorstep of the Sierra foothills, Visalia, California, has access to major transportation corridors and a seat in the heart of the state's agriculturally rich region. Reach bustling urban areas, mountain recreation and all the fresh produce you can devour within just 1.5 hours from this San Joaquin Valley city.
Farming Towns
- A breadbasket brimming with hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables, the San Joaquin Valley includes fields producing lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, strawberries, melons and much more. Around Visalia, there are many small farming towns with endless fields and roadside produce stands in between. Half an hour to the north, Dinuba celebrates each year's crop of wrinkled grapes with the Raisin Harvest Festival. Just over half an hour to the southeast, the Iris Festival fetes Porterville's signature blooms each spring. As if the orange trees weren't a sweet enough smell to lure you near Wasco, a little over an hour south of Visalia, come for the festival on the first weekend after Labor Day to celebrate the home of more than half of the roses grown annually in the United States.
Larger Cities
- Visalia is a convenient drive to central valley hubs Bakersfield, an hour and a quarter to the south, and Fresno, about 45 minutes to the northwest. Both off State Route 99, Bakersfield and Fresno feature the widest slate of options for lodging, fine dining, entertainment, sports, shopping and more. A handful of medium-size cities also offer a surprising variety of amenities for residents and travelers. The northernmost, Merced, is up Highway 99, an hour and a half from Visalia, with Madera resting between here and Fresno. Just 20 minutes south is the outlet shops at Tulare, a half-hour to the west is Lemoore and the Naval Air Station, and 20 minutes to the west is old-town charm and entertainment at the historic Fox Theatre in Hanford.
Recreation
- Thanks to Visalia's location at the doorstep of Sequoia National Park, cities to the east of Visalia are nestled in the stunning Sierra Nevada and offer hiking, skiing, camping, climbing and impeccable views of nature. A half-hour east, Three Rivers is an artsy village that enjoys its role as the perfect spot for Sequoia-Kings Canyon visitors to prep for a journey into the backcountry. An hour-an-a-quarter to the northeast, a twisty foothill road takes you to Pinehurst and the entrance to Kings Canyon National Park; the key creature comfort here is the comfort food at the Pinehurst Lodge. And just under an hour to the southeast, Springville is not just a stop on your visit to the Giant Sequoia National Monument but home to a fall apple festival.
Interstate Stops
- Taking Interstate 5 to Los Angeles or Sacramento is much faster than State Route 99, but you'll encounter a bunch of empty on the western side of the San Joaquin Valley. A couple stops along this major transit corridor are within an hour-and-a-half from Visalia. Coalinga, an hour-and-a-quarter to the west of Visalia, is nestled between I-5 and the Coast Ranges, and has a handful of stores and restaurants. A valley landmark, Harris Ranch, marks the turnoff and draws tourists for its famous steaks and the most comfortable accommodations along this isolated stretch. An hour to the southwest of Visalia, the oil town of Avenal is the hub for a state prison and a place to pull off the freeway. Try the tortas and Mexican pastries at Los Primos Bakery.
