Page 91 - 2024/2025 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.
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, and is often dubbed, “The Zin Capital of the World.”
• 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
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.
TOKOPAH FALLS IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, above; lone bull tule elk at Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, left; early morning in field
of sunflowers, opposite.
2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 89