Day Trippin'
Jump To: Local Points of Interest | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
You don't have to leave Tulare County to have fun. Adventure is within your grasp and only a short day-trip away. Start the day downtown by having breakfast at a charming cafe. Next, stroll the scenic streets and unleash your inner shopper at one of our exceptional shops before heading out on your day trip. Memories will be made when you find adventure in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, at a local museum, taking an agriculture tour or attending one of the many festivals and events the Central Valley has to offer. After a day of activity, several downtown lodging destinations are ready to welcome you. Downtown Visalia is known to be the entertainment "hot spot" including fabulous restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. With so many things to do downtown, it may be hard finding time to seek adventure elsewhere.
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Local Points of Interest
Kaweah Oaks Preserve
Nature preserve featuring protected Valley Oaks, local wildlife, native plants and four self guided trails. The preserve gives visitors a sample of what the Valley was like in its natural state, before development. Admission is free and open during daylight hours all year.
Sierra Summit Mountain Resort
Skiing and snowboarding on over 45 trails. The resort also includes 3 freestyle parks, a half pipe, lessons and family fun zones.
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
"The town that refused to die". A small town established in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and settlers. The town of Allensworth was governed and financed by African Americans searching for the American Dream. Many original buildings have been restored since becoming a State Historic Park in 1976. A visitor's center and tours are available.
Lake Kaweah
Formed by the Terminus Dam located on the Kaweah River, the lake provides many recreational activities such as boating, sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing, jet skiing, swimming, hiking, camping and fishing.
Balch Park
County Park located in Mountain Home State Forest above Springville. Balch Park is home to The Hercules Tree and Oliver Twist Tree. In addition to Giant Sequoias, the park features fishing, horseback riding, hiking, back country trails and swimming. Balch Park Pack Station, located in the Central California High Sierra Mountain Range, offers the ultimate in Sierra High Country Adventure.
Camp Nelson- Hiking, horseback riding, snow skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing and snow mobile trails.
Pixley Wildlife Refuge
Delano, CA.
6,389 acres of grasslands and wet marshes. Wildlife such as different species of bird, mammals, reptiles and amphibians can be seen on the 1.5 mile trail and observation deck.
River Ridge Ranch
Springville, CA.
River Ridge Ranch is a unique combination of working cattle ranch, recreation and education guest ranch in Oak Savannah Foothills of the Western Sierra Nevada. Nestled beside the Tule River and Giant Sequoia National Monument, this 722 acre ranch has activities to delight the entire family. Horseback riding, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and astrology are just a few things River Ridge Ranch offers.
Cat Haven Wild Animal Park
Dunlap, CA.
Observe wild cats in their natural habitat exhibits and gain knowledge of cats ranging from leopards and jaguars to tigers and cheetahs. Go on a 1/4 mile walking tour with a trained professional to see Cous Cous the Lion, Sikia the Serval, Ivan the Siberian Lynx and many more feline friends. The orphaned Bobcats shown at left are named Whirlpool and Maytag because they were found in a dishwasher in an old mine shaft in Arizona.
Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks present the most breath-taking views in the world. They are home to Giant Sequoias, including the General Sherman Tree and General Grant Tree. Hiking, fishing, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, snow skiing, and sledding are just a few of the many activities available in the park. Visit the park’s website http://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm for more information.
Sequoia National Park has plenty to see especially in Giant Forest. A few favorite sites throughout Giant Forest consist of Giant Forest Museum; Open since December 2001, this museum serves as a starting point for visitors to Giant Forest Grove. Crescent Meadow; a small meadow surrounded by Giant Sequoias. An hour long trail loops around the meadow for spectacular views and wildlife sightings. The General Sherman Tree; is the largest living tree in the world! It is approximately 2100 years old, 274.9 feet in height, 102.6 feet at ground level circumference and 52,500 cubic feet of wood. Morro Rock; take the ¼ mile trail from the parking lot then up 400 steps to the top of the 6,725 foot high granite Morro Rock. Although the dome itself is impressive, the sights from the top are sure to amaze. Tunnel Log; drive through this fallen sequoia at Crescent Meadow Road. Tharps Log; the fallen sequoia was once a summer home inhabited by Hale Tharp. This cabin is the oldest pioneer cabin remaining in the park. Other interesting points to visit in Giant Forest include Sequoia Grove, Congress Trail and Big Trees Trail. Among other things, Giant Forest is home to four of the five largest Sequoia Trees.
Crystal Cave; (http://www.sequoiahistory.org/cave/cave.htm) Two miles south of the Giant Forest Museum you will be able to explore Crystal Cave. The 3 ½ mile hike from the parking lot to the cave is steep and tough but is worth the effort as the trail is adorned with picturesque waterfalls, not to mention the magnificent icicle-like stalactites and mounds of stalagmites that will be seen in the underground cave. Tours run from mid-May through late October. Tickets must be purchased at least 1 ½ hours in advance at the Lodgepole or Foothills Visitor Centers. No tickets are sold at the cave.
A short drive leads to Kings Canyon National Park then to Grants Grove which is home to The General Grant Tree also known as "The Nation's Christmas Tree". The General Grant Tree is America's only living National Shrine and one of the largest trees on Earth. Cedar Grove; treats visitors to a lush place of tumbling waterfalls, meadows and miles of quiet trails. Panoramic Point; has remarkable sights of the Sequoia National Forest and Hume Lake from a 7,520 foot high point. Kings Canyon contains many other points of interest including the Gamlin Cabin, the Fallen Monarch Tree and more incredible Giant Sequoias.
Visalia now offers a shuttle service for those who want to visit the parks. The shuttle runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day and has downtown departure locations at the Visalia Transit Center and Visalia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Reservations are required. For information or to make a reservation visit http://www.ci.visalia.ca.us/depts/transit/sequoia_shuttle/