Visitors to Central Valley during the Autumn months will experience the region in its best light. Avoiding the heat and crowds of the summer, visitors can enjoy a more authentic experience of the destination, celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage and seasonal produce as the seasons change.
Avoid the summertime crowds at Yosemite
Visit the iconic Yosemite National Park without the summertime crowding. El Capitan Hotel in Merced, which recently underwent a substantial renovation, offers guests a stylish base for the experience in addition to an off the beaten path experience complete with a packed lunch. The hotel itself features 114 guest rooms, a historic theatre, and four distinct dining experiences, that reflect the produce available across California’s abundant Central Valley using ingredients from local producers.
Enjoy the best of the regions Autumnal produce in Yolo
Also known as the nation’s salad bowl, Central Valley celebrates its agricultural heritage annually in September. Towards the north of the expansive destination, Yolo County is host to several large-scale, community-wide farm dinners that bring together local farmers, wine makers, and chefs. Woodland’s Dinner on Main is a prime example bringing together the commuting to dine at a long harvest table down the centre of Main Street complete with a four-course meal prepared by local chefs. Ticket Holders to that event can also join l The Village Feast in Davis, a French-style community dinner seating over 300 people.
Relax amongst the fall colours in Fresno
Visitors will be surrounded by incredible orange, yellow and red fall foliage as they walk through the Shinzen Japanese Friendship Garden in Fresno’s Woodward Park. Take a stroll through the Ume Grove or admire the trees reflecting onto the lake from Double Moon Bridge, in early November, visitors can also enjoy painting at their Art in the Garden: Plein Air Artmaking Series event.
Sip on wine and listen to music in Lodi
From 7 October to 12 November, guests at the family owned Oak Ridge Winery tasting room can enjoy free music performance with their wine outdoors. With performances from local musicians such as Dana D, the Marvin Zeller Band, Jimmy Ashley and more, visitors can taste one of the winery’s many wines made sustainably in accordance with Lodi Rules – the region’s sustainable winegrowing program.
Explore Modesto via it’s murals
As the temperature cools, it’s the perfect time to explore the city of Modesto on the city’s self-guided mural tour. The Modesto Mural Walk Audio Tour is a guided street art audio tour and takes users from Rodin Ranch farm market past restaurants, coffee shops, museums, galleries and even tells you when to stop for traffic. Taking just under an hour, the audio tour introduces the artists from around the world who created the murals and the stories behind them.
For more information visit www.visitcentralvalley.com
