Welcome To California's Central Valley

Yolo County is like a breath of fresh air, perfectly situated in Northern California just a short distance away from Sacramento, Napa and the San Francisco Bay Area. The area is historic, charming, and quaint with small towns that leave a big impression, offering a range of experiences that are home grown and rooted in authenticity. So come savor the seasons with us and gather year-round to discover where good times grow.

Nestled in the rolling hills just west of Sacramento Valley -- an hour from San Francisco, and within minutes of the Napa and Sonoma wine countries – Vacaville, California is a special place to live, work, play, and visit. Our pastoral setting, charming and vibrant downtown, and world-class shopping make Vacaville a perfect getaway or home base to your Central Valley California vacation experience.

Nestled in the heart of Northern California, less than an hour from both San Francisco and Sacramento and just 15 minutes from Napa Valley, Fairfield is best known for being home to the world-famous Jelly Belly Factory.

As proud as Fairfield is of its iconic attraction, there is so much more to see and do. The picturesque Suisun Valley, home to over a dozen tasting rooms, is a place for visitors searching for world-class wines and calm and beautiful country roads. If you're looking for a different flavor of fun, check out our locally-owned breweries and taprooms. 

Look around and discover there is so much to see and do in Fairfield. Spend the day wine tasting, sample award-winning olive oils, kayak on the Suisun Marsh or enjoy a round of golf at one of our championship courses. The travel opportunities in and around Fairfield are endless! 

Centrally located in northern California’s Central Valley, Stockton is the county seat for San Joaquin County. Stockton is currently the 13th largest city in California with a dynamic, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural population of about 300,000. It is situated along the San Joaquin Delta waterway, which connects to the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Stockton is home to California’s most inland seaport and is located just 83 miles east of San Francisco, and 45 miles south of Sacramento, the capital of California.

Surrounded by rich agriculture and the award-winning Lodi wine appellation, Stockton is home to year-round farmers’ markets, fruit stands and nearby wine tasting. Be sure to request our new San Joaquin County Farm Guide and Map. Stockton is also home to dozens of multi-cultural, family-friendly festivals year-round; pair that with a variety of great dining and shopping, and it’s a weekend!

Nestled along Highway CA-120 between San Francisco and Yosemite Valley, Oakdale, California, is a charming embodiment of small-town America. Embraced as the Cowboy Capital of the World, Oakdale proudly boasts the highest number of PRCA Rodeo champions per capita, a testament to its rich cowboy culture. Explore our town's western-themed attractions, attend thrilling rodeos, or immerse yourself in history at our two museums and numerous murals, showcasing our vibrant local culture.

Oakdale's agricultural heritage thrives through its local specialty businesses like SONS Farm Fresh, Oakdale Cheese, Sconza Chocolates, and Roberts Ferry Gourmet, offering a delectable taste of authentic California flavors. Whether you're savoring farm-fresh cheeses or hiking scenic trails in Historic Knights Ferry, Oakdale invites you to experience its unique charm. Discover the allure of Oakdale, where small-town hospitality meets cowboy flair, promising an unforgettable California adventure.

Modesto offers visitors distinctive hotel accommodations, a variety of restaurants, and a great selection of shopping. Modesto is packed with unique visitor attractions along with a year round schedule of intriguing events and festivals. With a rich mix of Farmers ’ Markets, produce stands and tours, we provide numerous ways to enjoy a diverse agricultural experience. We encourage you to come stay in Modesto!

Yosemite Mariposa County, home of Yosemite National Park, welcomes you to experience majestic Yosemite in all four seasons. Explore all the things to do in Yosemite, such as seeing awe-inspiring vistas, granite icons, breath-taking waterfalls, and discovering fascinating history, while staying in Mariposa County. 

Whether it’s your first time visiting Yosemite National Park or you’re a seasoned veteran traveler, you’ll always find something new to do here. Search for events, lodging, dining, directions and more here.

Madera County is known as California's Gateway to Yosemite.

As you drive to Yosemite, you'll find that Madera County has much to offer; restaurants with amazing menus featuring fresh locally grown ingredients, award-winning wineries along the Madera Wine Trail and Yosemite Sierra Wine Road, incredible art galleries and inspiring museums throughout the region. It’s possible you may spend more time outside Yosemite than you ever imagined. Add in the outdoor fun and beauty of Bass Lake, and you'll see Madera County, combined with Yosemite, makes for a perfect vacation. 

No matter where you're coming from, Yosemite's southern entrance takes you through some of Yosemite's most iconic spots - The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Tunnel View, Glacier Point and more - all accessed via the Southern Entrance.

 So, come for Yosemite, stay for the wine, the food, the arts & culture and the fun.

Fresno County boasts approximately 300 days of sunshine a year. It is the only metropolitan hub in California centered between three national parks—with Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia only a 90-minute drive from Fresno and Clovis. Known for its agricultural bounty, it is home to 1.88 million acres of the world’s most productive farmland, making it a foodie paradise!

Experience a getaway packed with adventure, whether you choose to explore the national parks, tour the Forestiere Underground Gardens (a home created underneath the earth’s surface, with tunnels, and trees planted underground!), run wild at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, peruse antique shops in Old Town Clovis, sip award-winning wines along the Fresno County Wine Journey, attend a Triple-A Baseball game in Downtown Fresno, relax in one of California’s chilliest beer gardens, marvel at locally made masterpieces at ArtHop, or dine in a nearly 100-year-old brick schoolhouse serving up modernized American cuisine at Schoolhouse Restaurant & Tavern.

Whatever type of travel your wanderlust spirit is in search of, soul-stirring adventure awaits in Fresno County.

This 'Jewel of the Valley' city and gateway to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks is home to a friendly and charming downtown while nestled in the nation’s most productive agriculture and farming region. Stroll along vibrant Main Street for restaurants, shops, arts and entertainment. Here you can find a perfect craft brew and seasonal menus at our locally owned restaurants. Enjoy a Rawhide baseball game, shop at the farmers market, attend one of the many festivals, and explore hundreds of outdoor excursions including Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, just 40 minutes from Visalia.

Real Adventure Starts Here.

Off I-5 and on CA 99, 58 and 178.  Belly up to the bar and sample the local brews on tap on the Bakersfield Kern County Brewery Trail, where you will find their quality sets them apart from the national brands.  Pose at some of Bakersfield’s most unique spots when you explore the Bakersfield Selfie Trail, including the only shoe-shaped building in America with shoelaces. Explore the Bakersfield Museum Trail, a 15-mile route connecting the city’s four main museums: the Kern County Museum where you will can visit the restored childhood home of country music legend Merle Haggard; the California Living Museum (Bakersfield Zoo), featuring many endangered California animals and plants in natural settings; the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science where you can explore the world of fossils and dinosaurs, and the Bakersfield Museum of Art, where a diverse variety of paintings and sculpture by California and international artists await you. Visitors can enjoy the all-American Bakersfield Sound at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace featuring the country music star’s memorabilia, a restaurant and a live country music performance theater where top acts perform today. Other dining choices in the city include the largest collection of Basque restaurants in the nation, seven eateries that Guy Fieri featured on his “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and many others regularly noted in the national food press.  And work off that genuine grub with our many outdoor choices, such as the Kern River Parkway Trail with more than 30 miles of scenic bike trails and whitewater rafting tours on the Kern River.  Go to: VisitBakersfield.com.

The River Fox Train, a sister of the world-famous Skunk Train, traverses the countryside of Yolo County just 15 minutes west of downtown Sacramento with multiple rail adventures offered weekly.

Railbike rides; relaxing beer and wine trains; and holiday-themed outings–like Pumpkin Express and magical holiday trains–allow passengers to enjoy activities while becoming immersed in nostalgic railroad charm.

Additionally, guests sightsee Sacramento from a unique perspective: ivy-covered woodlands, expansive acreage, and glistening riverfront views with every traveled mile. RiverFoxTrain.com; (800) 866-1690.

Tour, taste, shop and eat! Hilmar Cheese Company produces more than 1 million pounds of cheese each day! Free tours. See employees package the “big cheese,” a 640 lb. block! Explore hands-on exhibits and taste complementary cheese and gourmet food. Browse the beautiful gift shop. Enjoy famous cheese chowder, fresh salads, and gourmet sandwiches in the Deli-Café. Ice cream and espresso counter. Beautiful park.