Mountains, vineyards, farms, ocean and theme parks – California has something for everyone.

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
~ Anonymous

Whether you are traveling from near or far, there are hidden gems to discover. Our latest discovery is Visalia located in the San Joaquin Valley which is 190 miles north of Los Angeles. Known to many as the gateway to the Parks, many visitors enjoy Visalia’s food, fun and festivals on their way to Sequoia and King’s National Parks.

Driving out of LA and into the small town charm of Downtown Visalia is a great weekend getaway. One of the best perks for us – no traffic or parking meters!

Where to stay?

The Marriott Convention Center is a short walk to shops, restaurants and more!

We stayed in a clean, spacious double style room. The rooms seemed newly remodeled with large TVs and cool, digital full length mirrors. We had a deliciously restful night of sleep thanks to the premium mattresses and room darkening shades.

With full amenities, including WiFi, a workout area, pool, Jacuzzi and onsite dining choices, the Marriott is a great choice for business or pleasure. The hotel is also pet-friendly. I spotted some happy furry friends sipping from water stations set up in the lobby. The perfect place to sleep in style, and a easy 30 mile drive to Sequoia Park or 50 miles to King’s Park. Tap the friendly, helpful hotel staff to get local tips to maximize your trip.

Being in the central coast and vast farm lands we wanted to take advantage of the restaurants in the area.

What to do?

Find the Art Walk.

Visalia has created a wonderful, 18 block, self-guided art walk. Local area artists used the city’s fire hydrants as their canvases in an awesome project called Art on Fire! Start your journey on Santa Fe and Main Streets to catch them all. Maps can be found here, or get one at the Visitors Bureau on Main Street. My daughter and I loved all the different themed hydrants, and the artists info can be found near each one plaques.

Schedule a visit during a Festival.

Throughout the year Visalia hosts specialty festivals, like the Tastemakers and Taste the Arts celebrations. These two annual events happened to fall on the same day this year, so we really got to get a taste of the area. Taste the Arts showcases local artists and food vendors.

We tried Boston House of Pizza and El Tri Raspados Frescos – the best fruit truck! The Visalia farmers market vendors were on hand to offer free craft for kids- vegetable people.

Tastemakers is a gathering of music, food, drink and culture. It’s located in the lumberyard which gives is a cool vibe.

This free event supports SNV Foundation that offers art and music classes to the community.

Sequoia Legacy Tree

Located outside of the Post Office, the 85 year old Legacy tree is a dedication to the partnership between Visalia and the National Park Service. Plan a visit to this historic landmark and learn more about about the Sequoias prior to visiting Sequía and Kings Canyon!

Explore the National Parks.

It would be a shame not to visit these beautiful attractions – they are easily accessible. This trip we only had time to visit Sequoia National Park, but next time King’s Park! As a first time visitor to the park we made a list of the must-sees while visiting. The gate fee is $35, but hold onto you ticket because you can visit either Park for up to 7 days.

Our first stop was Giant Forest Museum where we learned about the trees which only grow in this part of the world. We took a stroll along the Big Tree Trail which is a leisurely 1 mile loop, but it does not disappoint in visuals. You feel small amongst towering trees. Some trees are over 3,000 years old. This ancient forest will amaze and rejuvenate you. A visit to General Sherman tree is a definitely must-see. It is the biggest living thing in the world. I felt like we were in a movie in this massive fantasy land.

In addition to the Parks, I’d also recommend catching a Visalia Rawhide baseball game, taking a paddle boat ride In the Mooney Grove Park, or exploring ImagineU Children’s Museum. If you are a foodie like me, I also recommend a visit to the Farmer’s Market, or local farm stand to buy some fruit (fruits vary, during seasons).

Next up, we’ll share the places we dined out during our visit to Visalia.

Pita Kabob Mediterranean

Pita Kabob is a great gastropub offering up Mediterranean staples, like hummus, wraps, salads and more. My bowl was packed with gyro, and salad. If you are in the mood for a brew, order from their extensive craft Tao beer menu at the bar while waiting for your food to arrive. Sit outside on the lively patio which is also Fido-friendly.

There’s something for everyone looking for this style of cuisine. Everything was fresh and delicious.

The Butcher & Baker Cafe

The place to go for breakfast! This trendy diner has a nice and attentive staff. The portions are gigantic, and I highly recommend the biscuits. I Love the atmosphere and freshly baked offerings. They are also a butcher shop, but we didn’t try that out.

If you are looking for a hearty meal then order the biscuits and gravy meal served with eggs and potatoes. The biscuits were flaky and buttery, and the sausage gravy was rich and flavorful. I know this isn’t a healthy breakfast, but this southern style meal hit the spot and sometimes I splurge.

Orangeworks

This simple cafe is tucked inside the back of a building. The menu is small with sandwich options, but the draw is their fabulous orange ice cream. OMG. It’s like a cross between a creamsicle and circus peanuts. I can still taste the robust orange flavor. The original shop can be found in Strathmore , but visit this location when you are in town. I asked for a side of orange and we ordered a medium which fed three of us. The prices are great. Also enjoy their lunch specials which includes one of their sandwiches, a drink, chips and a junior sized orange ice cream starting at $9.49. They also offer other ice cream flavors, but their house flavor is a must!!

Visalia is known to many as the gateway to Sequoia and King’s National Parks as well as Visalia’s wonderful food, fun and festivals. To learn more about Visalia and what’s happening this holiday season stop by here.