California Culinary Tours

Step Inside San Joaquin Valley’s Fruit Basket
In the heart of California you’ll find some of the most delicious, diverse and undiscovered agricultural adventures in the Golden State. From farm-fresh blueberries and sweet white nectarines to the intoxicating aroma of lavender, the bounty of the San Joaquin Valley beckons visitors to come see, smell and taste.

“We add a delicious stop along the way to Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon,” says Rosemary Nightingale, spokesperson for a group of farmwomen that offer Culinary Farm Tours. There are more family farms in Fresno County than anywhere else in the state, and growing numbers of specialty crops are found in neighboring Tulare, Madera, and Mariposa counties as well.

What makes the San Joaquin Valley so fertile? Geologists say it used to be a deep-ocean trench full of fish and 50-foot sharks. Over time tremendous earthquakes and volcanoes eroded the mountains into the valley, filling in the ocean inlet. Then a similar pattern began and up went the second set of the Sierra-Nevada with massive glaciers reshaping how we know them today. The combination of incredibly rich soil and irrigation makes for some of the most productive land on Planet Earth.

You can enjoy the San Joaquin Valley throughout the seasons, beginning with the vibrant colors, sweet fragrances, and beautiful buds on the world renowned Blossom Trail in February and March. Knowledgeable farmwomen can be booked as step-on guides.

As the cooler days of spring stretch into the long, hot days of summer, the blossoms develop into the ripe fruit that has earned this region the title “Fruit Basket of the Nation.” Stop and savor fresh harvest at a variety of fruit stands. Fresno County’s “Fruit Trail” brochure lists locations, or you can find them at gofresnocounty.com. One local favorite is Hamada’s, east of Hwy. 99 on Mountain View Avenue.

Top of the Hill farm grows over 70 varieties of fruit on one acre and is famous for the fresh-flavor jams and jellies, with samples to taste at their farm store.

From mid-May through mid-June, taste the valley’s newest crop of blueberries at Willems’ River Valley Berry Farm; its blackberry and boysenberry season stretches into July.

In an almond orchard you’ll find a store packed full of goodies, with tastings, too! Luke’s Almond Acres stocks a variety of nuts, dried fruits, chocolate and yogurt-dipped confections with gift packs to go. Circle K-Ranch offers a well-stocked family farm store in the middle of an orchard east of Hwy. 99 on Mountain View Avenue. Simonian Farms on Jensen Avenue, in operation since 1901, offers seasonal favorites grown on site, plus a collection of vintage railroad cars, tractors and bicycles.

At Wiebe Farms groups can ride through the orchards on a trolley pulled by a classic truck on a tour to the packing shed, learning about year-round farming operations. This third- generation working family farm serves up peach treats and olive oil tastings in its historic barn.

Downtown Reedley offers a variety of quaint owner-operated restaurants for lunch or dinner. Or keep your group together and book the Reedley Opera House for lunch or dinner and a show.

Nearby, the Mennonite Quilt Center is filled with stunning, handmade quilts and one-of-a-kind gifts; on Monday mornings you can watch the quilters at work.

Cheese lovers will enjoy a stop at Bravo Farms, at the Traver exit right off Hwy. 99, where you can see artisan cheese-making in progress. The store carries a variety of handmade cheddar specialties, like white cheddar, Western sage, and chipotle, that make tasty onboard snacks or could accompany wine-tasting down the road.

Wine enthusiasts can sample an array of specialties on Madera’s Wine Trail. Standouts include award-winning Quady Winery serving dessert and aperitif wines, and Ficklin Vineyards, producing world-renowned ports from historic Portuguese grapes, including a memorable chocolate and berry port. On Fresno County’s Twin River Wine Trail, don’t miss the traditional Italian wines at Nonini Winery. Cedar View Winery and Tivy Mountain Vintner’s Winery are new boutique wineries near Reedley and Sanger and are featured on a “Farm, Garden & Wine Tour.”

Traveling along Hwy. 180 to Kings Canyon-Sequoia, you can immerse yourself in nature’s beauty and aromatherapy at Squaw Valley Herb Gardens. Tours feature a guided walk and demonstrations of recipes and remedies with history, folklore and tastings. The home and gardens of two artists since 1984 is a delightful surprise.

Hidden in the foothills near Squaw Valley are the Monastery of the Life Giving Springs and Byzantine-inspired Greek Orthodox Church. A “Monastery and Garden Tour” with Greek lunch can be arranged through Squaw Valley Herb Gardens.

The entrance to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks is 20 miles east of Squaw Valley. Prepare to be amazed by the largest trees on Earth. See them on a comfortable walking loop in Grant Grove that brings you close to these unforgettable Giant Sequoias. The General Grant tree, third largest tree in the world, is designated the Nation’s Christmas Tree. Exhibits are featured at Grant Grove Visitor’s Center. An hour away you’ll arrive at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park, California’s first park, established in 1890. Grand accommodations are available at the lodge. Step-on guides can be arranged through the Sequoia Natural History Association.

The cultural heritage of the San Joaquin Valley is closely tied to immigrant agricultural history and is celebrated year-round. In March – Shinzen Gardens Spring Blossom Festival; April – Orange Harvest Festival & Clovis Rodeo; May – Kingsburg’s Swedish Festival, Cinco de Mayo Festival & Raisin Festival; July – Tomato & Salsa Fiesta; August – Cantaloupe Round Up Festival, Fig Fest and Greek Food Festival; September – Mariachi Festival; October – Fall Wine Cornucopia; December – Santa Lucia Festival and Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree.

Step inside California and meet the hard-working farmers and wine growers that make this region a feast of tastes served up with homegrown hospitality. It’s “food, fun, farms, and forests.”

For information on group tours, customized itineraries and all-inclusive packages, contact Rosemary Nightingale at Squaw Valley Herb Gardens, (800) 379-8043, or visit www.squawvalleyherbgardens.com.