Page 101 - 2023-2024 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 to cool off, and a shady swim-
ming 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. The Marsh provides an essential habitat
for more than 221 bird, 45 animal, 16 reptilian and
amphibian, and more than 40 fish species.
• suisunwildlife.org/grizzly.html
• BASQUE IN THE DESERT There has been
a Basque presence in the Central Valley since the
19th century. Today Bakersfield is home to the
largest collection of Basque restaurants in the U.S.
They offer traditional experiences served family-
style at long trestle tables, carrying on the
traditions of their ancestors.
• visitbakersfield.com/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 Farmers
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; orange trees, Fresno,
opposite.
2023-24 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 99