The Great Central Valley of California, also known as the San Joaquin Valley – where agriculture thrives & smog settles. This huge valley bordered by the Pacific Ocean & the Sierra Nevada mountain range, is the one of the biggest farm lands of agriculture in the US. The food that feeds the world is grown right here in the Center of California – the San Joaquin Valley. Vegetables, fruits, garlic, onions, nuts, you name it.

Central Valley residents can easily enjoy the neighboring Central Coast, Historic Gold Country, and the Sierra Nevada mountains, plus The City (San Francisco) is not too far away either. Since the capital city of Sacto has a port of entry, the California Delta & surrounding waterways, make for excellent fishing, boating & camping.

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Unfortunately it is one of the worse smog basins on the west coast. The upper & lower Central Valley see the worst of it, as wind pushes the emissions right up against the mountains. Summertime heat accelerates & magnifies the poor quality of air.

California Country – CA Countryside Communities

California Central Valley Map

Counties, Cities & Towns of the San Joaquin Valley:
(south to north)

Kern County
Tulare County
Kings County
Madera County
Fresno County
Merced County
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County
Solano County
Sacramento County
Yuba County
Sutter County
Yolo County
Colusa County
Glenn County
Butte County
Tehama County
Shasta County

Central Valley State Parks & points of interest:
(south to north)

Henry W Coe State Park
San Juan Bautista State Historical Park
Hollister Hills OHV Park
Pinnacles National Monument
Kern National Wildlife Reserve
Kesterson National Wildlife Reserve
San Luis National Wildlife Reserve
Merced National Wildlife Reserve
Honey Run Covered Bridge
Oroville Wildlife Area
Spenceville Wildlife Management & Recreation Area
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area
Mount Diablo State Park
Sherman Island Waterfowl Management Area
Grizzly Island Waterfowl Management Area
Cache Creek
Sutter National Wildlife Reserve
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
Colusa National Wildlife Reserve
Delevan National Wildlife Reserve
Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve
Mill Creek Wilderness
Ishi Wilderness
Tehama State Wildlife Area
Shasta-Trinity NRA
Whiskeytown Reservoir NRA

California Central Valley Lakes & Reservoirs:
(south to north)

Buena Vista Reservoir
Lake Nacimiento
Lake San Antonio
Lake Success
Lake Kaweah
Pine Flat Reservoir
San Luis Reservoir
Millerton Lake
Hensley Lake
Mariposa Lake
Lake McClure
Turlock Lake
Don Pedro Lake
Tulloch Reservoir
New Melones Lake
Woodward Reservoir
Salt Springs Valley Reservoir
New Hogan Lake
Comanche Reservoir
Lake Amador
Pardee Reservoir
Lake Natoma
Folsom Lake
Lake Combie
Lake Berryessa
Clear Lake
Collins Lake
New Bullards Bar Reservoir
Lake Oroville
Indian Valley Reservoir
East Park Reservoir
Stony Gorge Reservoir
Black Butte Lake

for more lakes in California, check the LAKES LIST