Central Valley – Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures

Stockton, California

Stockton, California is located in California Central Valley, north of Modesto and east of San Jose and was incorporated in July 1850 by the County Court and received its charter later that same year. The first election was held on 31 July 1850. The early settlers included gold miners from Canada and Mexico, the Pacific Islands, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia.

The population of Stockton is about 291,700 people and made up of 78,500 households and 56,100 families. The city is contained within 64.8 square miles with 61.7 square miles being land and 3.1 square miles is water. The city lies within the boundaries of San Joaquin Valley.

Stockton is easily accessible and accessed by the Stockton Metropolitan Airport, Amtrak, Altamont Commuter Express, BNSF Railway and the Union Pacific railroad. The city can be accessed by auto along Interstate Route 5 and State Route 99 and 4. The Port of Stockton is a fully operational seaport located 75 nautical miles east of the Golden Gate Bridge. The port operates a 2,000 acre transportation center with berthing spots for vessels, dockside transit sheds and shipside tracks.

Stockton is rich in culture with many exciting attractions and events including waterfront activities, arts and entertainment, farms and wineries, shopping, dining and low cost and no cost activities. There is something for everyone, no matter what age group is visiting. Baseball fans do not want to miss Big League Dreams Sports Park with its 6 scaled down versions of professional ball parks, or the Ripon Mistlin Sports park, home to soccer, baseball, softball and a public park for all to enjoy.

There are a variety of museums and include the Great Valley Museum, the Gallo Center for the Arts and the Haggin Museum. Great Things Serpentarium is a must visit for fans of snakes and reptiles as they exist in their natural habitat.

Foodies will find just about anything the palette will crave from Thai, to Greek to Mexican to Chinese and back to good old American barbeque. After a fabulous meal at any one of the most exciting restaurants in the state, walk it off with a foot jaunt along the Marina Promenade or launch a kayak at the Morelli Boat Launch.

There are name and chain hotels and motels, bed and breakfast and vacation rental homes in Stockton that will fit anyone’s vacation budget at any level of comfort desired. Most have accommodations for children along with restaurants with children friendly menus.

Filed Under: California, Central Valley, featured, North America, Stockton, United States

Bakersfiled, California

Situated near the southern terminus of the fertile San Joaquin Valley, Bakersfiled, California is the ninth largest metropolitan area in California. The resplendent city is bordered by the Sequoia National Forest, the Temblor Range and the Tehachapi Mountains, which includes the beautiful Tejon Ranch. Archaeological evidence reveals that Native Americans inhabited the area thousands of years before the arrival of the first European explorer, Francisco Garces, in 1776.

Mexican settlers began to arrive in the 1820s. The California Gold Rush of 1848 and the discovery of oil in 1865 triggered another influx of migrants. The area was originally known as Kern Island because it occupied a tract of land near a channel of the Kern River. Over time, the settlement became a transportation hub due to its location on the trail between Los Angeles and Stockton. It was also situated near passes through the nearby mountains. During this era, the location was commonly known as Baker’s Field in recognition of the home and farm of Colonel Thomas Baker, which served as a way station for travelers. When the city was formally established, the founders named their community Bakersfield to commemorate the Colonel.

Located approximately midway between Los Angeles and Fresno, Bakersfield has a highly diverse economy. It is the epicenter of one of the United States’ most productive agricultural and oil-producing regions. Named an All American City in 1990, Bakersfield experienced remarkable growth between 1970 and 2010. The downtown area is an eclectic mix of antique shops and historic buildings. Foodies can sample authentic Basque cuisine in century-old restaurants. The First Baptist Church, the Bakersfield Californian Building and several other structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bakersfield is home to the Kern County Museum and the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History. The county museum has several interactive displays on the oil industry and the region’s influential musical heritage. The natural history museum has exhibits dedicated to marine fossils from the Miocene era. The historic Fox Theater and the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace are venues for concerts, movies and a variety of live performances.

Residents and guests enjoy a desert climate of long dry summers, moderate autumns, early springs and brief mild winters. The remarkable weather is perfect for enjoying the area’s extensive number of outdoor recreational opportunities, such as rock climbing, whitewater rafting and mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Filed Under: Bakersfiled, California, Central Valley, featured, North America, United States

Fresno, California

Often Fresno, California is used as a stop-off city for exploring natural areas like Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Additionally, the main attraction in town that draws visitors is the venue where prominent events take place, the Save Mart Center. Now, the city flag features a leaf from the ash tree since "Fresno" is the Spanish word for the once locally grown ash trees. The city in the San Joaquin Valley offers its beautiful public parks, a rich culture and history as well as numerous other things to see and do.

The San Joaquin Valley or Central Valley is located in the heart of the state of California in the United States. The urban center is also just about half way between Sacramento to the north and Los Angeles to the southwest. Fresno is about 170 miles from Sacramento and about 200 miles from LA. In this situation, the city enjoys a semi-arid weather climate much like what is found along the Mediterranean. Summers can be rather hot and dry with average temperatures climbing to about 97 degrees Fahrenheit, but winters are mild with more rain and average temperatures never dipping much below 37 degrees.

When it comes to the history of Fresno and the valley, the story begins with the Yokut people who lived in the region for centuries and traded with other nearby tribes of native peoples. Afterwards, the valley was not settled as an official county of California until the mid-1800s after the famous California Gold Rush had run its course. The city of Fresno was incorporated in 1885, and the town was made the county seat within two years. Interestingly, BankAmericard started in the city in the late 1950s, and it went on to be the world's first successful credit card.

Now as far as the economy goes, medical facilities as well as the city and insurance companies are the largest employers in Fresno. Agriculture also holds a significant percentage of the jobs.

Since the valley region around the city is rural with many farms and scenic natural places, outdoor recreation is popular in the public parks as well as the national parks and the not too distant Sierra Mountains. Meanwhile, the city offers theatres for the performance arts, museums on a variety of themes and sports facilities. Then, Fresno Chaffee Zoo and the Forestiere Underground Gardens that combine caverns and gardens are must see sites within the city.

Filed Under: California, Central Valley, featured, Fresno, North America, United States

Central Valley California

Nestled between coastal mountain ranges and the Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, California constitutes the fertile heart of this vast, varied state. Home to numerous orchards, farms, vineyards, stockyards and dairies, this agricultural region produces 25 percent of the U.S. food supply. Although less famous than California’s beaches and big cities, this California Region boasts stunning national parks, numerous lakes and wetlands and historic Highway 99. For beautiful scenery, a slice of authentic agricultural California and a taste of the state’s diverse bounty, the Central Valley merits a visit.

The Central Valley’s treasures include the stunning Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Home to the world’s largest grove of giant sequoia trees, the country’s deepest canyon and Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous U.S., these parks abound with scenic hiking and backpacking trails, mountain lakes and camping venues. In addition, these parks house five of the world’s largest trees.

Located northeast of San Francisco, the Suisun Marsh constitutes another Central Valley scenic marvel. A vast, diverse expanse of natural wetlands housing numerous wildlife and plant species, this region at the confluence of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers provides numerous easy hiking trails as well as excellent fishing, bird-watching and wildlife-viewing opportunities. In addition, the Central Valley features myriad lakes and rivers that offer boating, fishing and whitewater rafting as well as numerous country roads for biking.

Before I-5, Highway 99 constituted California’s main north-south route, once called “California’s Main Street.” Mentioned in John Steinbeck’s classic novel “The Grapes of Wrath,” this road served as a thoroughfare for migrants from the Dust Bowl in search of work during the Great Depression. Perfect for road trips, this highway leads visitors past peaceful orchards, retro burger stands and towns large and small that feature a multitude of attractions. Along this route, tourists can visit Fresno’s fascinating Forestiere Underground Gardens modeled after Europe’s ancient catacombs, tour Hilmar’s cheese factory to view the making of its “big cheese” packaged in 640-pound crates and sample fresh produce at numerous roadside stands and farmers' markets.

Though less familiar than Hollywood or Disneyland, California’s Central Valley offers hidden riches for travelers who yearn to experience the heart of California via charming back roads. Central Valley visitors can view fertile landscapes, visit scenic lakes, rivers and parks and experience numerous eclectic attractions.

Filed Under: California, Central Valley, featured, North America, United States

Stockton, California

Bakersfiled, California

Fresno, California

Central Valley California

Beachcomber Pete Travel Destination Guides

Become A Fan Of Beachcomber Pete