Cruising California: A Road Trip Guide to Fresno and the Central Valley

Located between California's beautiful coastline to the west and the rugged Sierra Nevada mountain range to the east, the Central Valley offers long stretches of verdant, pastoral landscapes best discovered by car. Although the region extends for more than 200 miles from Bakersfield to Redding, those who want to immerse themselves in the sensory-rich Central Valley don't need to travel much farther than Fresno for the full flavor of California's heartland. The city boasts trendy restaurants, cool cafes and hot cultural attractions. The abundant produce and top-notch vineyards add color to local drives, which are quickly gaining traction with foodies. Here are just a few of our must-see spots along the route. 

Traveling from Bakersfield to Fresno

Although you could spend days just exploring Fresno, think about adding Bakersfield to your itinerary. For road trippers who choose to start their journey in Bakersfield, there is no shortage of interesting things to experience, including top attractions like the California Living Museum (CALM), a small zoo that gives you the opportunity to get close to native wildlife, and the Buck Owens' Crystal Palace and Museum, a restaurant, live music venue and museum where you can hear that twangy ’Bakersfield sound’.

Before hitting the road, consider stopping at one of Bakersfield's restaurants, such as local breakfast and lunch favorite, Wool Growers, where you can sample Bakersfield's most infamous local dish – pickled tongue.

Take California 99 for a scenic drive to Fresno, which takes less than two hours. To break it up, consider making a side trip to Visalia, where you can explore the historic town onboard the Visalia Town Trolley or hit the Visalia Farmers Market.

Exploring Fresno

Fresno is the largest city in the Central Valley and the fifth largest in the state, combining huge sports stadiums with a vibrant cultural scene and plenty of natural beauty. Just off Highway 99, you'll find the Forestiere Underground Gardens, a state landmark created by Baldassare Forestiere. Often called Fresno's best-kept secret, this intriguing 110-year-old attraction features underground rooms and courtyards, micro-climates, Ancient Roman architecture and fruit-producing trees growing underground. It’s a seasonal, weather-permitted attraction with the main operating season running March through November.

Afterwards, head to the Fresno Art Museum (FAM) to discover exhibits from some of the region's most talented artists or hit the city's ArtHop (a program offering free access to exhibitions and galleries) if you're in town on the first or third Thursday of the month. After getting your fill of arts and culture, make a beeline to the Tower District, the city's dining and entertainment hub, which is peppered with cafes, restaurants, nightclubs and galleries – all within easy walking distance of each other. 

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Driving the Fresno Blossom Trail

If you're fortunate enough to be in the area in February or March, then consider hitting the Fresno County Blossom Trail, a 62-mile loop that runs through Sanger, Reedley, Orange Cove, Selma, Clovis, Kingsburg, Fowler and Kings River. During this season, you get the full effect of the gorgeous blooms of almond, plum, apple, peach, apricot, nectarine and citrus trees in the surrounding orchards. Summer is another great time to hit the trail, especially if you enjoy sampling locally-grown fruit. Along the way, explore some of the small towns and their attractions, including:

• The Sanger Depot Museum brings the history of the Nation's Christmas Tree City to life
• Downtown Orange Cove's shops and eateries
• Walk through charming downtown Selma or enjoy the annual spring Raisin Festival
• Browse the boutiques, antique shops, and eateries, or take part in the Wine Walk or Craft Beer Crawl in Old Town Clovis

Source: Shutterstock

Fresno to Lodi

Head north out of Fresno on California 99 for a scenic drive to Lodi, dubbed California's ’new wine country’. Along the 140-mile drive, consider making a stop in Stockton to visit the region's famous Haggin Museum. This hybrid history and art museum in Stockton's Victory Park includes 34,000 square feet of gallery space with turn-of-the-century storefronts that chronicle the history of the San Joaquin Valley along with world-renowned pieces from artists like Albert Bierstadt.

From the shores of the Mokelumne River and Lodi Lake to the scenic back roads, Lodi offers outdoor playgrounds just waiting to be explored. The temperate climate and rich soil provide fertile conditions for wine growers, which may explain why it produces approximately 20.5% of wine grapes in the state.

Have you recently road-tripped through the Central Valley, or are you planning to soon? Share some of your favorite experiences with us on Facebook. Reserve your car rental online with Hertz today.

Source: Adobe

Have you recently road tripped through the Central Valley, or are you planning to soon? Share some of your favorite experiences with us on Facebook.

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