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Giant sequoias, raging waterfalls and Yosemite Valley vistas are just a few of the adventures to enjoy in the Southern Sierra. Families, couples and explorers of all ages will find plenty to discover during this weeklong adventure. When visiting National Park attractions, be sure to check their websites ahead of time, as changing conditions can necessitate the closure or adjustment of services offered.
Fresno-Yosemite International Airport is the gateway to three of California’s national parks including Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park and Yosemite National Park. Nine in-terminal car rental agencies and taxi and bus services give visitors options for transportation. Additionally, guided tours can be arranged from the airport to each of the three national parks. Public Transportation to Yosemite is possible seasonally through YARTS (Yosemite Area Rapid Transit) with three daily runs from the airport June 22 through Sept 11.
Head south on Highway 99 and visit the agricultural community of Visalia. Known for world-class dining and outdoor recreation, Visalia is the gateway to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. For public transit options, take the V-Line Shuttle to Visalia and then hop on the Sequoia Shuttle for both King's Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.
After a morning of traveling, enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants on Visalia's Main Street. The options abound. There's Dimples Diner, a take on the classic 50's diner which couldn't get more authentic without a time traveling Delorean. Fugazzis Bistro has received a slew of awards and accolades for their menu featuring 20 different pasta varieties and gourmet pizzas. Brewbaker's Brewing Company combines handcrafted beers, and root beers for the kids, with a satisfying menu of sandwiches, pizza and other house-made favorites. Alejandra's Mexican Food takes authentic to a whole new level. Enjoy staples like tacos, enchilada's and tamales. But whatever you do, try the guacamole.
Spend the afternoon exploring downtown Visalia. Valley artists have taken advantage of the concrete canvas of building walls. Today guests can take a self-guided walking tour of town murals throughout Visalia. History buffs can take a 45-minute stroll and discover the famous historic location of Fort Visalia along with the Little White Schoolhouse and early hotels and stations. Print a guide for both tours at visitvisalia.org. Boutique shops and art galleries make up a good part of downtown as well, so be sure to spend some time finding the perfect souvenir.
After working up an appetite downtown, stick around the downtown to experience the night life and even more of the many dining options on Main Street.
Settle in for the night at Visalia Marriott Hotel conveniently located right downtown.
Rise and shine and head over to Valhalla for a Danish breakfast. Their Danish Pancakes are divine, but the Aebleskivers, that's truly heaven; or is it Valhalla?
After enjoying farm fresh foods, head to McKellar Family Farms for an agricultural tour with farmer Bob and learn more about the journey from farm to table. After a full tour, families of all ages will enjoy the challenge of the nation’s first and only Orange Grove maze. Navigate your way to the flagpole and back while finding all the checkpoints and win a prize. Agricultural tours are by appointment only, so be sure to call in advance.
Baseball fans may enjoy a game at the Visalia Rawhide Stadium during the season from April to September. The Visalia Rawhide are a Class A advance team for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
During the off-season the Pita Kabob is an excellent alternative for the evening. The menu features traditional falafel pitas as well as a variety of other Mediterranean dishes and kabob plates.
After filling up, head back to the Visalia Marriott Hotel for one last night in town.
Wake up bright and early and head out on Highway 198 towards Sequoia National Park. Stop in Three Rivers and grab breakfast and a picnic lunch at Sierra Subs and Salads. In addition to traditional sandwich fare, Sierra Subs and Salads offers weekly specials ranging from the Peking Ping with garlic duck meatballs to the Vegetarian Barnyard with truffle oil egg salad and veggies.
Once in the Park, head to Hospital Rock to view Native American artifacts on the way to the Lodgepole Visitors Center in the Lodgepole Village. Stock up for the rest of the day at the general store and take advantage of the Wi-Fi. You’ll find plenty of snacks and water to fill your pack before heading out on the General Sherman Tree Trail. Don’t miss the world’s largest tree located near the new parking area off Wolverine Road.
Afterwards, warm up your legs for a ¼-mile, 300-foot granite staircase to the summit of Moro Rock. The granite dome offers panoramic views of Sequoia National Park and the Great Western Divide. Other more strenuous hikes offer views of Mt. Whitney to the east. The Giant Forest Museum is an excellent stop for a basic introduction to the ecology of the area and a resource for the many self-guided interpretive trails in the region.
The Sequoia National Park is home to 17 campgrounds, three of which are open year-round for those who seek a night under the stars. In the winter, trails are open to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. A retail store and ski shop is located in the Wuksachi Village and Lodge, which also features 102 guest rooms with a full service restaurant and cocktail lounge.
Enjoy a camp breakfast or a quick snack at Wuksachi Lodge before driving highway 180 towards Cedar Grove. The Cedar Grove visitor center is the best stop for last minute supplies, guidebooks and souvenirs before hitting the trail for the day. The visitor center is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Boyden Cavern is located beneath the 2,000-foot-high marble walls of Kings Gates with a variety of tours offered. 45-minute walking tours depart at regular intervals daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the gift shop. Families will love the 2-hour Pirate’s Cave trip. For a taste of adrenaline, more adventurous groups may want to reserve rappelling and canyoneering tours.
Visit the Cedar Grove Snack Bar with meals served from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Burgers, quesadillas, chili and Caesar wraps are just a few of the items found here. Offerings change seasonally.
Those who prefer to stay above ground may saddle up for a guided horseback tour at Giant Grove Stables. Tours include some of the most scenic vistas in the park as well as a visit to the General Grant Grove of Sequoias including the General Grant Tree, which has been dubbed the Nation’s Christmas Tree.
Settle in for the night at the John Muir Lodge. The stone and timber retreat offers a rustic cabin feel with the amenities of a modern lodge. Open year-round, the lodge’s 36 rooms are the perfect place to unwind. The Kings Canyon Lodge and Grill has a wide variety of fare for hungry explorers.
After a filling breakfast from Kings Canyon Lodge and Grill, head towards Highway 41 for a day in the South Gate of Yosemite National Park. Be sure to stop at South Gate Brewing Company in Oakhurst for a locally-made, hand-crafted brew paired up with some truly delicious farm fresh food. Their burgers are huge and they are amazing, as the restaurant's chef is incredibly selective about what ingredients go into the dishes his place serves. The result is stunningly fresh food that's big on flavor.
Just outside of Oakhurst, take a small detour along the Sierra Sky Ranch Road portion (Road 632) of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway to explore Nelder Grove of Giant Sequoias. Keep an eye out for the Bull Buck Tree the largest of the approximately 100 mature Giant Sequoias standing in the grove.
Continue on to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. This 4-mile ride on a restored steam engine takes guests back in time when locomotives once hauled massive log trains through the Sierra Mountains. Tour offerings range from 30-minutes to an hour depending on interest. The seasonal Moonlight Special is a 3-hour dinner tour that includes a meal and live entertainment. Onsite there is gold panning, a museum, gift shop, bookstore and sandwich shop.
Afterwards, check into the Narrow Gauge Inn, conveniently located right next to the railroad station. Settle in for the night in one of the scenic, comfortable rooms.
Head towards Yosemite National Park and stop in for breakfast at Jackalope's Bar & Grill in Tenaya at Yosemite. Choose from a hearty breakfast buffet or order specials including eggs benedict, steak and eggs or the egg white vegetarian omelet à la carte.
The Ascent Spa at Tenaya at Yosemite is the perfect place to unwind after nearly a week on the road. Choose from spa packages including deep tissue massages, facials and anti-aging embellishments.
After achieving a Zen balance, continue through the South Gate of Yosemite and spend the afternoon exploring the historic Wawona Hotel. The lodge is a great starting point for exploring Yosemite. The Wawona Hotel has housed former presidents, diplomats and celebrities throughout history. Participants may explore the Yosemite History Center or enjoy a round of golf, a game of tennis or a guided hike or horseback ride. There is even a stagecoach ride available. In the winter, nearby Badger Pass Ski Area is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Spend the evening in the Wawona Hotel and enjoy a meal crafted by Chef McFann’s cuisine featuring an array of seasonal specials.
Start your day with a wonderful breakfast at the Wawona Hotel Dining and then head into the heart of Yosemite Valley. Pack a camera and enjoy stunning views of the magnificent Half Dome from Glacier Point. A free shuttle provides rides to all the must-see spots in the valley including Yosemite Falls, the trailhead to the Mist Trail and Mirror Lake. Bike rentals are also available at the Yosemite Valley Lodge (as well as Curry Village) if you prefer to cruise the valley by bike. For those who’d like to get a taste of rock climbing, lessons are offered by Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides.
Enjoy the views from the Yosemite Valley Lodge, and don’t forget to pick up a Yosemite souvenir from one of the several shops at the Lodge. Have dinner in the Mountain Room Restaurant which boasts views of the impressive 2,425-foot tall Yosemite Falls as guests dine on fresh seafood, sizzling steaks and tasty pasta. Enjoy one last night watching the stars over the mountains before heading back to Fresno in the morning.
