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CENTRAL VALLEY
California’s vast and fertile heartland
by jill k. robinson
The rich green strip wedged between the Sierra Nevada Range and the coastal mountains in the center of California is considered by many to be the greatest garden in the world. The Central Valley, which runs 400 miles north to south, is filled with farms, orchards and vineyards growing everything from almonds to cherries to peaches to grapes. It supplies 25% of the nation’s food, including 40 percent of the nation’s fruits, nuts and other table foods. See and taste the state’s bounty when you travel here to discover the soul of these vibrant communities.
California’s Central Valley contains thousands of acres of land under cultivation and small farming communities that seem to have been frozen in time. The larger cities here (Modesto, Fresno and Bakersfield) still have a small-town friendliness that encourages visitors to slow down and find out that there’s more going on beyond the farmland. From the quiet, northernmost towns of Orland, Yuba City and Davis to Visalia, Tulare and Maricopa at the southern end, it’s easy to feel at home and see what some call “The Other California.”
Travelers using Interstate 5 to get through the Central Valley may believe the agricultural region is nothing more than a sleepy little farming area, but don’t speed by and discount the wealth of spectacular scenery, opportunities for outdoor recreation, highlights of California history and funky roadside diners. The best way to discover the area on a leisurely itinerary is by taking Highway 99, which feels more like a back road. Cities and towns are clustered along the route, giving you a chance to pull off and explore any time you want.
Two river valleys—the Sacramento and San Joaquin—dominate much of the region, and the waterways provide opportunities for sport (fishing, rafting, waterskiing) and bird migration 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 swimming hole is an ideal spot to spend a weekend.
Swing by one of the roadside produce 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.
insider's tip
Catch an MiLB baseball game at Banner Island Ballpark, home of the STOCKTON PORTS. An offshoot of the team credited with inspiring Ernest Lawrence Thayer’s famous “Casey at the Bat” poem, the Ports got their name because Stockton was California’s only inland port.
City & Town
College-town Davis has been ranked the number one most bike-friendly city in the U.S. Modesto and its hot rods were the stars of American Graffiti—and auto fans still flock to the valley city. Fresno’s architectural history includes brick warehouses along the Santa Fe railroad tracks and the 1928 Pantages Theatre (now Warnors Center for the Performing Arts).
The Great Outdoors
A sprawling web of rivers twists through the Central Valley—from the Sacramento to the San Joaquin to the Feather. The best place to enjoy river life is in the Sacramento Delta, with lush wetlands among vast orchards. The Sutter Buttes—considered the world’s smallest mountain range—rise above the flat valley at its northernmost point.
Heritage & Culture
Agriculture has drawn a diverse group of people here over the years, including migrant workers from Latin America, Dust Bowl-era farmers and entertaining country music masters. Visitors are always welcome to join regional celebrations, from harvest days to Basque festivals to Portuguese festas—complete with bloodless bullfights.
Family Fun
Families who love the outdoors and wide-open spaces will find plenty to do in the Central Valley. Escape the summer heat by tubing down the Sacramento River, discover the amazing Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno, wander through the historic delta town of Locke, or gawk at restored military aircraft at the Castle Air Museum.
5 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
