Page 105 - 2022-2023 Travel Guide to California

DRIVE TOUR
It may be tempting to cover
the Central Valley by zooming
along on Interstate 5, but
instead, take the slower
HIGHWAY 99—often referred
to as “California’s Main Street,”
and the very same road the
fictional Joad family traveled
in The Grapes of Wrath. Start
in oil-town BAKERSFIELD and
head north toward FRESNO,
MERCED and MODESTO. As
you pass from the San
Joaquin Valley into the
Sacramento River Delta, take
a jog over to Interstate 5 to pass to the west of Sacramento and into
Yolo, Colusa and Glenn counties at the north end of the great
Central Valley.
Two river valleys—the Sacramento
and San Joaquin—dominate much of
the region, and the waterways pro-
vide opportunities for sport (fishing,
rafting, waterskiing) and bird migra-
tion rest stops, as well as an essential
element of farming. In the hot
summer months, the area’s rivers
and lakes help residents and tourists
alike cool off, and a shady swimming
hole is an ideal spot to spend a
weekend.
Swing by one of the roadside pro-
duce stands for the best souvenirs in
the Central Valley. Be sure to enjoy
your prizes before you return home,
because the edible treasures of the
region are best sampled fresh.
MUST
SEE,
DO
• EXPANSIVE WETLANDS Explore Grizzly
Island in the Suisun Marsh, which makes up more
than 10 percent of California’s remaining natural
wetlands.
• suisunwildlife.org/grizzly.html
• BASQUE IN THE DESERT Get to know
Basque culture in Bakersfield, where there’s a
rich history of transplanted sheepherders.
• visitbakersfield.com/visitors/restaurants/
bakersfield-basque
• WINE TASTING Visit wineries in Lodi, which
produce more than 40 percent of the state’s
premium Zinfandel.
• lodiwine.com
• FRESH OFF THE FARM Reap the benefits
of Fresno farms’ bounty at the Vineyard Farmer’s
Market, held every Wednesday and Saturday,
year-round.
• vineyardfarmersmarket.com
• OLD TOWN Wander through the delta town
of Locke, the only U.S. town built exclusively by
the Chinese for the Chinese.
• nps.gov/places/locke-historic-district.htm
FLOWER FARMING in Central Valley, above;
Sandhill Crane, Lodi, left; early morning in field
of sunflowers, opposite.
2022-23 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 103