California Central Valley

This thriving region includes a wealth of culturally diverse communities, historic sites, exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities and plentiful wildlife.

Sunshine: From March through October the sun shines 90 percent of the time; foggy season is November through February, and the fog usually burns off by mid-day; in July and August, the weather is hot and dry.

Highlights
California's breadbasket, the great Central Valley, stretches for 450 miles down the center of the state, from Willows to Bakersfield. Acres and acres of grapes, from some of the largest wineries in the state, give way to fields of tomatoes, squash, corn, peppers, and just about every other crop imaginable, all made possible by a series of rivers-the San Joaquin, Merced, Kings, and Kern-as well as the great California Aqueduct. Take time to stop along the way to taste almonds in Modesto, raisins in Kingsburg, or prunes in Yuba City. Better yet, snack your way across the farm trails around Visalia, Fresno, and Bakersfield.