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Next to Sequoia National Park

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 19:45:51 GMT

Discover Natural Bounty and Small Town Charm Next to Sequoia National Park

In Tulare County, the gateway towns to two of California’s national parks offer rich history, farm fresh food and fun events all year round.

Updated Jan 6, 2025 - Susanna Klingenberg

Bordering Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, towns like Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba and Exeter offer travelers a range of experiences, all within an easy drive. The seventh largest county in California, Tulare County is around three hours from Yosemite National Park and balances outdoor adventure with creative dining and culture-focused leisure. It’s also an agricultural hub, with farms that roll up to the towering Sierra Nevada mountains, fueling both local eateries and visitors’ curiosity. Whether you visit for the spring bloom of citrus and almond trees or make a pit stop to hike among some of the world’s largest trees, Tulare welcomes you with open arms and a culture all its own.

Indigenous History

Many Indigenous populations call Tulare County home: the Yokut, Wukchumni, Yaudanchi, Western Mono and Tübatulabal peoples, for instance. At the Tulare County Museum in Visalia’s Mooney Grove Park, you’ll learn about Native culture through a surprising medium: one of the country’s largest collections of Yokut woven baskets. Among the exhibit of 350 handcrafted baskets are cradleboards, cooking baskets, gift baskets and woven trays, all glimpses of Yokut heritage.

At the Three Rivers Museum, you’ll find a “Native Voices” exhibit that explores the lives of the people who inhabited what is now Sequoia National Park before European settlers arrived. The Museum worked with local Native communities to construct several authentic dwellings representing different Indigenous cultures for visitors to explore.

Farm to Table Culture

With an enormous segment of Tulare County dedicated to farmland, it’s no surprise that they’re known for hyper-local farm stands and extraordinary farm-to-table dining. Food options in the area range from food trucks with cult followings to fine dining establishments to hole-in-the-wall treasures. In every setting, you can expect a taste of the agricultural bounty that the Central Valley is known for. To get the freshest produce, visit one of the local farm stands that dot the county. Two local favorites open seasonally are Farmer Laro’s and Phan’s Strawberries in Visalia.

If you’re in the mood for fine dining, check out River Steakhouse in Porterville, located within the Eagle Mountain Casino, and La Piazza Restaurant in Tulare. Another upscale option is Vintage Press in Visalia for lunch, brunch or dinner. You can expect a thoughtfully curated wine cellar and elegant, locally sourced entrees, like Mary’s Chicken, with roasted garlic, candied lemon peel and sliced fingerling potatoes.

En route to the giant sequoias at Sequoia National Park, sit down at Monet’s in Exeter for upscale French cuisine or at the River View Grill & Bar in Three Rivers for their signature burger and a spectacular view of the Kaweah River. To experience an old fashioned general store, stop at Pierpoint Grill on the way to the Trail of 100 Giants in Sequoia National Forest.

For a more casual experience with high quality local ingredients, try one of the Bravo Farms restaurants, with several locations throughout the county, ranging from upscale to quirky. Watch artisanal cheese in production at the Bravo Farms outpost off Highway 99 in Traver, which invites travelers to sample their products paired with California wine. For a retro diner vibe, regional favorites include Boss Hogg’s Country Kitchen in Farmersville and The Runway Cafe in Woodlake, known for its hearty country breakfast and aircraft memorabilia. To entertain your sweet tooth, visit Stafford’s Chocolates in downtown Porterville or Ciderhouse Foods in downtown Springville for homemade apple butter.

Small Town Charm

Each town in Tulare County has its own personality, but it’s the downtown corridors where their individuality shines. In downtown Exeter, visit an outdoor art gallery of sorts, where 31 vibrant murals tell the story of the quaint town, with nods to the community’s rich history, like a scene from a 1950s citrus packing house. Check out the “When Emperors Ruled” mural that captures an era before Tulare County’s popular Emperor grapes were upstaged by seedless varieties.

Don’t miss a visit to downtown Visalia’s nightlife, where live music sets the tone as visitors and locals stroll, shop and dine. You’ll find more live music and a carnival atmosphere at Lindsay’s Friday Night Farmers Market, which brings up to 6,000 residents downtown every Friday to hang out, browse the fresh produce (often sold by the farmers themselves) and enjoy a wide selection of food, including local favorite Ricas Enchiladas.

A visit to Tulare County is a glimpse at authentic California, with its rich history, thriving present and enduring sense of welcome.

Tourism's Economic Recovery

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:34:47 GMT

Tourism’s Economic Recovery Celebrated with Tulare County Board of Supervisors Proclamation and Recent Concierge College: 6.1K Travel-Related Jobs and $494.2 Million in Travel-Related Spending

May 22, 2024 - Lacey Patrick

At its meeting on May 14, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors (BOS) issued a proclamation declaring the week of May 19 through 24 as 2024 National Travel and Tourism Week. The proclamation has been presented annually for the last several years to shed light on the critical impact tourism and travel have on Tulare County’s economic vitality in ways that positively impact various other local industries. According to data from the 2023 Economic Impact Report from Visit California, there were 6.1 thousand travel-related jobs in Tulare County, and travel-related spending in the County reached $594.2 million, with state and local tax revenue reaching $53.4 million. While the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the County’s tourism industry, sinking travel-related spending to roughly $284.1 million at one point, that number has now recovered to more than $500 million. The top-performing travel-related industries relate to food service,

entertainment and accommodations.

The County of Tulare’s Economic Development Office (EDO) has long collaborated with local tourism initiatives and manages the County’s Discover Tulare County marketing effort. The EDO is a supporting member of the Sequoia Tourism Council, a regional tourism effort including Tulare County municipalities, chambers of commerce, and partners from the Sequoia National Park and the Sequoia National Forest.

"Tourism continues to attract new development, create local jobs, and support existing businesses,” says Michael Washam, ACE, Associate Director of the Tulare County Resource Management Agency.

In January of 2023, the Sequoia Tourism Council received $40,000 of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the County of Tulare. The County also presented $40,000 in ARPA funding to Mighty 190, a South Valley-focused tourism effort spearheaded in the Porterville and Springville area, which the County also participates in.

“We are working with our partners to promote tourism within all of Tulare County,” says Washam.

The County’s geography covers nearly 5,000 square miles and boasts multiple gateway locations with direct access to the Giant Sequoias through the Sequoia National Park and the Sequoia National Forest. Tulare County is world-renowned for the natural wonders in the County, and the welcoming small-town charm of its communities and its numerous farm-to-table dining opportunities continue to attract domestic and international visitors.

To emphasize the economic and business impacts of tourism to local business owners and hospitality partners, the EDO collaborated with the Sequoia Tourism Council to host an educational Concierge College in April at the Galaxy Theatre in Tulare. The event focused on educating travel-related employers on surrounding historical landmarks and museums, outdoor destinations, local parks, and family-friendly events and arts and entertainment opportunities.

More information about local Tulare County tourism can be found by visiting www.DiscoverTulareCounty.org.

For questions, please contact the Economic Development Office by emailing

economicdevelopment@tulareocunty.org or by calling (559) 624-7177.

STC hosts Tourism Summit

suzanne@visitvisalia.com (Suzanne Bianco) — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 17:39:32 GMT

Sequoia Tourism Council hosts Tourism Summit to highlight economic impact of tourism: More than 100 tourism stakeholders attend

Oct 29th, 2024 - Suzanne Bianco

Visalia, CA, October 29, 2024 - Tourism stakeholders gathered at the Visalia Marriott Hotel for the 2024 Tourism Summit hosted by the Sequoia Tourism Council, a regional collaboration of Chambers of Commerce, Destination Management Organizations, tourism industry partners, and the County of Tulare. Ryan Becker, Visit California’s Senior Vice President of Communications and Strategy, provided the keynote presentation. Over 100 attendees, including elected officials, workforce and education partners, and tourism-focused businesses, gathered to explore Tulare County's tourism assets and learn about the economic benefits tourism brings to the region.

Visit California leads the marketing efforts driving demand for the California experience. In his keynote address, Becker noted that destination promotion drives business growth in various sectors, including hospitality, accommodations and restaurants. He reported that 2023 travel-related spending in the state was $150.4 billion, a 5.6% increase from the prior year. Becker shared a detailed view of Visit California’s marketing strategy, including the global leisure travel marketing campaign “Let’s Play”. The “Let’s Play” video shown to attendees highlighted nearby Sequoia National Park and the famed giant sequoia trees.

Regional tourism impacts were discussed with a diverse panel which included:

· Sintia Kawasaki-Yee, Chief of Communications and Management Support, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

· Michael Washam, ACE, Associate Director of the Tulare County Resource Management Agency

· Connie Conway, 2025 World Ag Expo Event Chair

· Rob Taylor, Owner of Stafford’s Chocolates in Porterville and Reimer’s Ice Cream in Three Rivers

· Anil Chagan, President of Visalia Tourism Marketing District

Michael Washam presented the 2023 tourism economic impact numbers for Tulare County. With combined annual travel-related spending throughout Tulare County reaching $549.7 million, surpassing 2019 levels, the region supported more than 6,100 jobs in travel-related employment.

“If tourism was an agricultural commodity, tourism would be the fifth largest revenue source, surpassing pistachios in Tulare County,” Washam shared while speaking at the summit’s panel discussion.

Other topics discussed included visitation data for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and challenges the parks face including a 37% staff vacancy rate and limited available employee housing. Information regarding the largest annual agricultural show of its kind, the World Ag Expo was discussed. On the topic of regional retail, the discussion centered on how regional retailers are benefiting from the growth in tourism and adjusting their retail models. New funding models to support tourism marketing of the region were also featured.

The morning’s event began by showcasing area local business operators and the diverse activities available to visitors, such as Kaweah Adventures whitewater rafting, Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, the Sequoia Shuttle, and Riata Ranch roping. The breakfast featured items from local farms, including freshly squeezed Bee Sweet oranges and milk from Rosa Brothers Dairy.

The Sequoia Tourism Council is dedicated to promoting year-round travel and tourism in the Tulare County region. The tourism collaborative represents Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Sequoia National Forest, the Giant Sequoia National Monument, California Land Management, Tulare County cities (Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia, and Woodlake), and numerous charming communities including Springville and Three Rivers. Follow Sequoia Tourism Council on Facebook or Instagram for updates on upcoming events and local activities, or visit our website: Discoverthesequoias.com. For any questions, please email sequoiatourism@gmail.com.