Central Valley

Perhaps most well known for its country music history (think Buck Owens, Gene Autry, and Merle Haggard), Bakersfield also has a symphony orchestra, art and history museums. Farther north in Fresno, you can catch a live music or theatre show at the historic Tower Theater. Stockton boasts of downtown galleries, a children’s museum, and the Haggin Museum, called “one of the under sung gems of California” by Sunset magazine. In Modesto, you can learn about the Central Valley itself at the Great Valley Museum, or cruise the loop made popular in the movie American Graffiti.

It should come as no surprise that the cities of Bakersfield, Fresno, and Stockton have plenty to keep kids busy-after all, this is one of the fastest growing and most family-friendly parts of the state. Parks and greenbelts are everywhere to help beat the heat in summer. Fresno is home to the excellent Fresno Chafee Zoo , with tigers, toucans, and tarantulas. Bakersfield has the Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center , and Stockton boasts a children's museum , the Pixie Woods Children's Playland , and, just outside town, the Micke Grove Zoo . And stop in Modesto to learn more about the valley's flora and fauna at the Great Valley Museum of Natural History .

Stretching over 644 kilometres, the rich soil and unique landscape of the Central Valley has produced a bountiful crop of distinct and affordable golf courses. Explore the hidden gems of California's heartland.

The 644 kilometre long, mostly flat Central Valley is home to two wetland wildlife refuges, which make for excellent bird watching and easy hikes. The region’s many rivers and lakes offer fishing, boating, and whitewater rafting. Lesser-traveled roads are great for biking through the countryside.

Vacaville’s Premium Outlets draw crowds from miles around for great deals on popular brands. The Fulton Street pedestrian mall in Fresno makes for a pleasant shopping afternoon, among fountains, sculpture and gardens. Another fun stop is the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, where you can take a tour and get a bag of “belly flops,” the jellybean mistakes! Bargain treasure hunters: take note of Stockton’s three flea markets (two on Saturday and Sunday, plus one on Thursday). And of course, if you drive through the Central Valley any time of year, you’ll pass fresh fruit and vegetable stands selling just-picked produce right off the farm. Can’t beat that.

In the Central Valley, Lodi has recently emerged as a trendsetter with its Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing. One of the valley's best kept secrets is the Madera Wine Trail , just across the river from Fresno, where you can find world class dessert wines and ports. Fine restaurants throughout the Central Valley make use of the fresh meats, produce and dairy products of the region. For some hidden gems, you're sure to find plenty of them in this region.