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AMERICA

This California Town Is Ideal For Exploring Sequoia National Park

by Bill Clevlen June 5, 2021
by Bill Clevlen

If you’re thinking about a trip to Sequoia National Park this year – Visalia, California makes the perfect home base for any adventure into one of America’s most beautiful (and popular) National Parks.

The town is an easy drive from both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park – just about 45 minutes away from the park’s southern entrance. As you might expect, you’ll find a historic Main Street downtown with local boutiques that offer everything from clothing to antiques. The area also offers more than a dozen hotels including the Visalia Marriott which hosted my visit earlier this spring. The property was comfortable, safe, and best of all – within walking distance of everything downtown. The rooms were clean and quite spacious.

Another nice perk about staying in Visalia is being close to familiar shopping spots like Target or Walgreens which are a super quick drive from downtown. We’ve all been on the road and need to grab things like shampoo or medicine – it was nice having those options nearby while still staying downtown and enjoying the local vibe.

There are the familiar dining options in Visalia as well but don’t skip out on trying some of the locally owned restaurants like Brewbakers Brewing Company. It was here that I enjoyed the most delicious tri-tip sandwich I’ve ever eaten. The service was amazing as well. After learning that I wasn’t a drinker, she brought out several in-house sodas for me to try.

At its heart, Visalia has a typical small town feel. Look no further than opening day for the Visalia Rawhide Baseball Club, an advanced “A” affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team was enjoying their first home game since the 2020 pandemic and it had all the feels of being smack dab in the middle of the classic baseball movie, Bull Durham. (Coincidentally Kevin Costner spent a portion of his teenage years living here.)

As you explore downtown you’ll probably notice the gigantic legacy tree that towers over the city’s post office. The tree is more than 80 years old and at least 65 feet high. It’s a reminder of how important the National Parks are to the area and the visitors that keep it thriving. It’s also a reminder that both parks are in fact, the biggest tourist attraction in this area and rightfully so.

Visalia Rawhide Opening Day 2021
Drone footage of the Sequoia Legacy Tree in downtown Visalia, California

You can read all about my visit to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park in a separate post but it’s worth noting that these places offer some of the most beautiful, almost mystical, scenery in the entire country. With the American road trip roaring back into style, an extended journey to California to see these amazing treasures is definitely worth the time and effort. And Visalia makes an ideal launchpad for enjoying those memorable experiences.

Learn more about Visalia on their tourism website: Visit Visalia

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Bill Clevlen

Bill Clevlen is a road trip expert and travel content creator for radio and TV stations across the U.S. His stories have been published in major media outlets like The Los Angeles Times and is heard sharing travel tips and ideas on SiriusXM Radio. He's the author of five travel books - The Ultimate American Music Bucket List, 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die, Driving Across America, An American Road Trip For Kids, and Finding The American Dream.

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5 comments

Krystal Aginaga June 18, 2021 - 2:46 am

That was an awesome review.. We also have a rich agriculture.. Farming and Dairy are one of our golden tickets fresh strawberries almost at each end of this towns roads..

Bill Clevlen June 18, 2021 - 11:06 pm

It’s a lovely town! I really enjoyed it!

John Moorvartian June 16, 2021 - 1:41 pm

Worth noting, we have one of the best hotels in the world, The Darling, and one of the best restaurants on the west coast, The Vintage Press. Both downtown.

Bill Clevlen June 16, 2021 - 4:43 pm

Thanks for sharing!

Bill Clevlen June 18, 2021 - 11:05 pm

Well, they didn’t offer to host me during my visit so I didn’t mention them. 🙂 But, I’m sure it’s nice!

Comments are closed.

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