Chocoholics Divine Desserts, ClementsStart your tasting tour of California’s breadbasket in
Tehachapi,
Begin the day with breakfast at The Apple Shed and purchase a snack to take with you to the scenic overlook of
the Tehachapi Loop
or to replenish after a hike in
Red Rock Canyon.
After exploring the
Kern County Museum
in
Bakersfield,
you’ll probably be hungry again. Try some authentic Basque food at Benji’s French Basque or Chalet Basque where you’ll be served family style. If it's getting late in the day, Bakersfield offers plenty of lodging options. In the morning, head over to the
Tule Elk State Reserve
off Hwy 5.
Continue up Hwy 5 to
Coalinga
and stop at
Harris Ranch.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast or steak from California’s largest feedlot and consider spending the night at their on-site hotel. In the morning, fill up with gasoline and head across Hwy 198 through
Hanford,
where you’ll have to stop at Superior Dairy for some homemade ice cream. Continue into
Visalia
to
Naturally Nuts
and choose from seventeen different varieties of almonds and other locally grown products. You’ll find many different restaurants to choose from in Visalia if you’re in need of some solid food.
Contine to
Springville
and check into the
Springville Inn
for the night, precluded by a fabulous dinner at the inn’s Stagecoach Bar & Grill. You’ll probably stay a couple of days to enjoy the
Sequoia National Monument
(technically located in the High Sierra's region)
and surrounding area, so when you do leave after breakfast you’re headed to
Kingsburg
to sample some
Sun-Maid Raisins.
Explore the underground gardens of
Forestiere.
When you reach
Fresno,
let the kids run off some energy at the Rotary Storyland and Playland before stopping at the
Valley Growers Fig Store.
You’ll probably want to spend the night in Fresno.
After visiting the
Merced County Courthouse Museum,
you’ll be arriving at a highlight of your tour, the world’s largest cheese plant,
The Hilmar Cheese Company.
Hopefully you’ll get to see the cheesemakers at work, but you’ll certainly enjoy samples and the interactive displays. Purchase some pizza made with Hilmar cheese from the deli to enjoy on the landscaped picnic area.
Follow Hwy 99 to
Modesto
and stop at
Blue Diamond Almonds
for some samples and then join a Wild West Adventure on the
Sierra Railroad Dinner Train.
Spend the night in Jamestown at the
National Hotel
with some ghosts after visiting the
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
and proceed to
Lodi
for a little
wine tasting
and a ride on the
ferry.
If you're in the mood for chocolate, and who isn't, take the mini detour to
Clements
for a tour of
Chocoholics Divine Desserts.
Then head toward
Davis
where the kids can play in a
cornfield
and tour the
Raptor Center,
then stop at
Satiety Winery & Cafe'
for a traditional English pasty. A stop in Williams
and you’ll sample some
olives
and may order lunch before heading to
Yuba City
to visit
Sunsweet Growers.
