The 400-mile long Central Valley, called "the greatest garden in the world", supplies 25% of the food Americans eat.  Its stunning beauty has been the backdrop for more than 300 films since 1919, creating the America filmgoers know.  Its attributes include the largest living thing on Earth, three national parks, 200 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, three state universities and one of the busiest rail corridors in the United States.  Yet most travelers headed for California cannot trace its invisible borders on a map.  It's only slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia, stretched between the California coast and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. 

 

Here are some of the unique destinations in the California Central Valley:

 

Fairfield Conference and Visitors Bureau - (877) 7WE-RFUN (793-7386)

Fairfield, California...the flavorful, spirited travel destination! Fairfield is conveniently situated between San Francisco and Sacramento in the beautiful Suisun Valley - Fairfield, California is just minutes from nearby wine country - World Famous Napa and Sonoma Valleys, and our very own Suisun Valley - wineries, farm stands, hiking, kayaking, and nature outings are just a start of the many activities Fairfield has to offer. Fairfield is home to the world famous Jelly Belly Candy Company. Factory tours at Jelly Belly and Anhueser-Busch are a must when visiting the area! Nearby theme parks include Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Scandia Fun Center will keep children of all ages entertained. Shopping anyone? The Westfield Mall in Fairfield has many well-known retailers, along with some local flair, great to spend the day on a shopping spree. Fairfield has something for everyone, come out and enjoy all it has to offer! www.VisitFairfieldCA.com

 

Fresno City & County Convention & Visitors Bureau - 800-788-0836

Fresno, California's 5th largest city and number one agricultural county in the United States is an exciting destination for the any traveler.  Located at the base of three National Parks, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia, visitors can touch the largest living thing on the earth, feel the mist of Yosemite Falls, and stand at the base of the famous Half Dome.  Boasting more than 360 different crops, available fresh-from-the-farm at a variety of markets, harvest festivals and local restaurants and small eateries , travelers can taste the best California has to offer. A 62-mile blossom trail and fruit trail is a fun way to get a closer look at the people, places and processes of the agriculture we love.  Showcasing fruit orchards, citrus groves, gardens, and vineyards,   www.PlayFresno.org

 

Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center - 800-577-5772

While you may not have heard of Hilmar Cheese Company, chances are you've eaten some. Hilmar produces more than one million pounds of cheese each day, which means one out of every six pounds of natural American style cheese comes from Hilmar! Visitors are welcome to enjoy a free tour where they watch employees package the "big cheese," a 640 lb. block and snack on free cheese samples including "squeakers," fresh cheese curds made that day. Explore hands-on exhibits fun for the whole family. Located along the way to most everywhere, Hilmar is four miles from Highway 99 and Highway 165. Stop in Hilmar and taste the famous Cheese Chowder soup and delicious Cheese Pie (better than cheesecake!).  Enjoy  a snack in the park and picnic area with walk-through waterfall. www.hilmarcheese.com

 

Kern County Board of Trade - 800-500-KERN

Visit Kern County and Play-Your-Way through! Offering the closest white-water rafting to Los Angeles, Kern County is the answer for an itinerary filled with outdoor adventures and seasonal sensations. The mighty Kern River offers visitors a watery play ground of activities from rafting, hiking, fly-fishing, to off-roading adventures, plus the world class Black Gold Oil Museum. Each September brings the Wasco Festival of Roses celebrating of the area's chief agricultural exports( 55% of the national bare root roses are grown here.) Visit the world famous Buck Owens' Crystal Palace or dine at a great Basque restaurant.  Kern County is a pick-your-own family vacation for kids and those who remember those simpler days. www.VisitKern.com

 

Lodi Conference & Visitors Bureau - 800-798-1810

Pass the afternoon sipping wine with a local winemaker at one of 80 wineries. Shop for that perfect antique or gift in an historic downtown. Stroll barefoot along the beach at Lodi Lake. Tour a museum. Catch a concert or play at the performing arts theatre. Dine in casual or upscale surroundings. Located in close proximity to the Stockton and Sacramento airports, Lodi is a quick trip worth the drive.  Every Thursday in summer a lively farmer's market brings farmers and fresh food enthusiasts together with local breweries, winemakers, artists and live music.  This diverse city with a variety of ethnic influence was featured in Saveur magazine's top  100 places to visit. www.VisitLodi.com

 

Merced Visitor Services and California Welcome Center - 209-724-8105

The Gateway to Yosemite, the county of Merced is much more than a stop sign and an arrow onwards. The historic downtown contains restaurants and shops nestled within charming historical architecture. The Merced Old County Courthouse was built in 1875. Merced is also home to California's tenth university. The nearby Lake Yosemite feeds two picturesque canals that run through the campus.  Visitors can boat, Jet Ski, sail and fish on the lake or enjoy a simple stroll on the Historic Walking Tour. Celebrating its 18th year, the Merco Cycling Classic brings in cyclists from all over the world for the four day event.  Located in the heart of the central valley it is located on Highway 99, Highway 59, and Highway 140. Come meet Merced! www.cityofmerced.org

 
Sacramento River Train - 209-848-2100

While travelers regularly have a meal or a snack in car, boat and plane, very few have ever really dined on a train! Located 15 minutes outside of Sacramento in Woodland, travelers can experience a unique way of seeing the countryside on the Sacramento River Train. Operating since 1912, this year-round train company offers three-hour tours covering 28 miles including a trip over the longest wooden bridge in the West, through scenic farmland and beautiful views of the Sacramento River.  Able to accommodate groups up to 400, the Train offer a variety tours from sunset dinners and murder mystery shows, to seasonal trips on the Easter Egg Express and Pumpkin Train. Want a taste of the Wild West? Then take a Great Train Robbery ride to encounter western gunslingers and experience a little bit of history. www.sacramentorivertrain.com

 

Sequoia Valley - 800-718-2332

The Sequoia Valley is home to tallest mountain, world's largest tree, world's largest dairy herd, world's largest producer of agricultural commodities, largest farm equipment show, oldest living thing on earth, and more murals per square mile then Florence, Italy.  That's living large! Located three hours north of LA and four hours South East of San Francisco, the Sequoia Valley can be found along Highway 99. Settled in 1852, the Sequoia Valley is the most diverse agricultural region and home to rich farmers markets year round. Enjoy the breath taking California Central Valley from a cozy bed and breakfast or our camping at a national park.  Discover why the Sequoia Valley is as big as it gets. www.sequoiavalley.com

 

Sierra Railroad Dinner Train - 209-848-2100

Chances are the Sierra Railroad countryside looks familiar.  Since 1919 more than 300 films have shot at the "big sky" country location or filmed its beautiful sunsets. While watching a movie is one way to see the Sierra sunset, enjoying it from a moving piece of history is better. As featured on the Food Network, the Sierra Railroad is one of the finest dinner trains in the west.  Departing from Oakdale in the Central Valley, the train offers romantic dinners, fun murder mystery shows, scenic lunches and brunch, and many seasonal trips aboard a moving train.  One of its most unique tours is a Rail and Raft experience. Travelers will take the train up the countryside and float back on the Stanislaus River.  www.SierraRailroad.com/dinnertrain

 

Stockton Conference & Visitors Bureau - 877-778-6258

The port city of Stockton offers visitors a virtual water park with access to more than 1,000 miles of delta waterways. Visitors can boat, Jet ski, bass fish or just enjoy Stockton on the water by renting a houseboat for the week. Home to a diverse collection of cultural attractions, special events, and great dining and hotels, don't miss the Haggin Museum, Children's Museum, Pixie Woods, or the Cambodian Buddhist Temple. Celebrating its 26th year, the Stockton Asparagus Festival is held annually at the end of April. California's largest charitable food festival and largest food festival in the Central Valley includes more than 200 arts, crafts and houseware vendors and nearly 100 food vendors. Asparagus Alley includes tasty and adventurous eats like deep fried asparagus,  asparagus burrito and even asparagus ice cream!  www.VisitStockton.org

 

Vacaville Conference Center and Visitors Bureau - 707-450-0500

Conveniently located between San Francisco and Sacramento and only 20 minutes from Napa Valley, Vacaville is a shopping and cultural mecca.  Made famous by its incredible outlet shopping, the Nut Tree is another Vacaville favorite. The ultimate cultural crossroads—the Nut Tree—once the quintessential roadside fruit stand, has turned into a travel destination. The Nut Tree hosts over one million visitors annually and epitomizes California hospitality. Fresh produce, crafts and art, retail, baked goods, homemade candy and full restaurant have attracted celebrities, governors, and even the Queen of England. From summer concert series to Medieval Fantasy Festivals and wonderful shopping in between, Vacaville is more often the destination than a detour. www.visitvacaville.com

 

Wonder Valley Ranch Resort & Conference Center - 800-821-2801

Wonder Valley Ranch Resort is nestled in the Sierra foothills east of Fresno and just minutes below Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks. The 75 acres of shady grounds, full service conference center and extraordinary on-site recreational activities make Wonder Valley the ideal location for conferences, retreats, weddings, tour groups, reunions, outdoor education programs and family vacations. Founded as California's first guest ranch in 1911, Wonder Valley is celebrating its 100th anniversary. A unique blend of western flavor with the comfort of modern accommodations on-site activities include guided horseback trail rides, boating, fishing, game pavilions, trampoline center, sports courts, swimming, waterslides, paintball, 18-hole golf course nearby, and much more.  Travelers who visit wonder why it took them so long to discover it. www.wondervalley.com 

 

Yolo County Visitors Bureau  - 530-297-1900

Chiefly known as an agricultural treasure, Yolo County is gaining a reputation as a surprisingly diverse destination. Cultural resources include the world-class stage of the Robert Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of U.C. Davis. The city of Davis, known as American's Best Bicycling City, hosts the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. The region's rich agricultural history is reflected in Woodland's Heidrick Ag History Center, housing the largest collection of vintage farm machinery in the country, while its culinary arts are reflected by Winter's venerable Buckhorn Steak & Roadhouse. Excellent wineries can be found throughout the county, from Berryessa Gap in Winters, to Rominger West in Davis, to Bogel in Clarksburg. And verdant Capay Valley is home to the sumptuous Cache Creek Casino Resort and its outstanding Yocha Dehe Golf Course.

www.yolocvb.org 

 

Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau - 559-683-4636

Known as California's Gateway to Yosemite, Madera County is located along Highway 41 just below the most popular entrance in to Yosemite. Offering up its own spectacular views, travelers can see the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Glacier Point, and world famous Tunnel View. It is also proud of its five diamond-rated Chateau du Sureau, California's only five-diamond hotel.  Madera County offers up award-winning wineries dating back to the 1800's, historic hands-on museums,  scenic rides on 100 year -old steam engines on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad , and delicious treats from the many pomegranate farms. Madera County is home to more artists per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.A. Benefit from their creativity at the annual Sierra Art Trails event as artists open their galleries, and even their homes, to showcase their creations. www.yosemitethisyear.com/

 

For more information, visuals and to visit a member of California's Central Valley, the greatest garden in the world, go to http://www.visitcentralvalley.com/.