Tag Archives: central valley

Oakdale Rodeo

Oakdale Rodeo

Cowboy Capital of the World

Oakdale hosts a large rodeo annually.

In 1954, the Oakdale Saddle Club held its first professional rodeo, keeping the name the Oakdale Clover Round-Up. By, 1957 the name of the rodeo officially changed to the Oakdale Rodeo.

Barrel Racing, Rodeo Dance, Oakdale Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning.  The parade features, a grand marshal, horses, local businesses, bands, classic cars.

 Oakdale Saddle Club Rodeo Grounds
1624 East F Street
Oakdale, CA 95361
209-847-4083

Annual event: April
4 day event

OAKDALE, CA

oakdalerodeo.com

Out of the Chute

 

California Antique Farm Equipment Show

White Cabover with Cattle Trailer in Tulare

Antique Farm Equipment Show

Visit agriculture’s past by learning about tractors, engines, equipment, and more. Antique Equipment Auction will be held south of Farm Credit Dairy Center. Tractor & truck parade. Kids Tractor Pull, Pony rides, Tractor rides.

International Agri-Center
4500 S. Laspina Street
Tulare, California 93274
(located right off Highway 99)

Annual event; April
559-688-1030
800-999-9186

antiquefarmshow.org

Aultman Taylor 30 60

Jeep FC-150 Forward Control truck

California State Fair

Sac Fair

State Fair of California
Sacramento Fair

Cal Expo & State Fair

For over 165 years, the California State Fair has showcased the progress and advancements of agricultural industry. 17-day event with carnival rides & games, numerous exhibits, livestock, plus local wines, cheeses, craft beers, cannabis, olive oils, and fine arts.

1600 Exposition Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815-5199
916-263-3000

Annual event; July
Sacramento CA

calexpostatefair.com

califrepublic

 

In 1854 the first California State Fair was held in San Francisco.

Travel was a hardship for many in those days so organizers arranged for the Fair to move locations each year. Sacramento, San Jose, Stockton, and Marysville hosted the Fair for the subsequent four years. Pioneer residents quickly recognized tremendous riches in the fertile soil and so California’s number one industry, agriculture, was born. The Fair was the yearly source of entertainment and education for early settlers, drawing huge crowds of as many as 15,000 on a single day.

When the Fair returned to Sacramento in 1859, a decision was made to find a permanent home. Sacramento was a bustling city with more than 2,500 buildings and a newly installed water system using two and a half miles of pipe. Six square blocks between E and H Streets from 20th to 22nd Streets were bought with monies raised through a special election and contributions from local citizens. This site was called Capitol Park. One aspect of those early Fairs that deserves special mention is the significance of the horse.

sacramento fair

Tulare County Fair

Tulare County

Tulare Fair

Tulare is located in the California Central Valley (the “bread basket”) – so summers can still be quite warm, or should we say HOT, even in September.

Big county fair for this farming region. Agriculture shows, auctions, destruction derby, exhibits, competitions, 4H livestock, parade, rodeo, tractor pull and much more. Don’t miss the delicious Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler Cook-Off and the Tri-Tip Cook-Off. Carnival rides and carnival games too.

Annual event; September

Tulare County Fair Assoc.
620 South K St.
Tulare, CA 93274
559-686-4707

tcfair.org

 

farris wheel

Lodi Street Faire

Sliver Budda

Lodi Street Fair, Central Valley California

This event is held twice a year & sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce. Held in Downtown Lodi, this is a one-day event focusing on food and vendors.

The Street Faire takes up a 14-square block area of Lodi. Over 500 vendors participate in this bi-annual event, selling antiques, arts & crafts and commercial items.

While shopping, visitors can satisfy their appetite with their choice from 25 food vendors offering everything from hamburgers, to hot dogs, sausages, to pizza. Mexican, Chinese and Filipino dishes are also available for those craving a more international fare. And, no faire is complete without sweet treats and cold drinks.

Bi-annual event; May & October
209-367-7840

LODI, CA

lodichamber.com/lodi-street-faire

 

Adam Messinger & Ramon Villalobos @ The Lodi Street Faire

Lodi Street Faire 2013

Grape Festival in Lodi

GrapeMural

Lodi Grape Festival & Harvest Fair

Located in the California Central Valley farming region in Lodi, California. Carnival games, rides, entertainment, livestock & animals, wine tasting, square dancing, arts & crafts.

Annual event; September
209-369-2771

LODI CA

grapefestival.com

 

GrainMural

2011 Lodi Grape Festival

CaseyPony2

West Coast Brew Fest

West Coast Invitational
a Craft Brew Experience

The name of the event has changed, but the location is still the same.

An annual celebration of the West Coast heritage of the microbrew revolution, featuring tokenless (unlimited) Microbrew Tasting of over 140 different beers from over 70 breweries, along with live music and great food and awesome people! WCBF holds a BCJP-sanctioned Commercial Craft Competition two weeks prior to the event and winning breweries will be displaying their award-winning brews at the festival. A complete list of breweries attending will be available online two weeks prior to the event.

Miller Park, Downtown Sacramento
2790 Marina View Drive
Sacramento, California 95818

Annual event; May
916-924-3836

SACRAMENTO CA

westcoastinvitational.beer

Central Valley Reservoirs

California’s Central Valley Recreational Lakes & Reservoirs

boatingcampingRV campshiking fishing

(listed from north to south)

North State / North Valley / North Sacramento Valleyboatramp

Black Butte Reservoir
Stony Gorge Reservoir
East Park Reservoir
Lake Berryessa
Lake Oroville SRA
Thermalito Afterbay
Thermalito Forebay
New Bullards Bar
Collins Lake

Sunset at the Lake
fishOak foothills of the Historic Gold Country, at the edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

  • boating
  • canoe
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • houseboats
  • kayaking
  • wildflowers

Most Central Valley Reservoirs have blooming wildflowers in early springtime. Summer heat can measure triple digits for months as most of these lakes are located below 1000′ elevation.

Central Sacramento & California Delta

Trimmer Boat Ramp
Trimmer Boat Ramp @ Pine Flat

Central Valley / San Joaquin Valley

Lake Amador
Lake Camanche
Pardee Reservoir
New Hogan Lake
New Melones Lake
Woodward Reservoir
Salt Spring Valley Reservoir
Lake Tulloch
Don Pedro Lake
Turlock Lake SRA
Modesto Reservoir
Lake McClure
San Luis Reservoir SRA
Eastman Lake
Hensley Lake
Woodward Reservoir
Millerton Lake SRA
Redinger Lake
Pine Flat Reservoir
Lake Kaweah
Lake Success
Buena Vista Reservoir

Walk-In Camp Site at Lake
Walk-In Camp Site at New Melones Lake, Gold Co

Kaweah Sequoia Sierra
Lake Kaweah, near Mineral King & Southern Sequoia NP

Valle Vista Campground

Valle Vista camp

Los Padres National Forest; Valle Vista Campground

The place is gorgeous with wildflowers, after a good wet winter. Snow is possible at this location.

Way out on the edges of Cerro Noroeste, facing north. This paved route was recently renamed Hudson Ranch Rd. Access is at a wide spot / shoulder, on a curve. A steep drop on a dirt driveway. Large RVs and motorhomes should attempt this rutted, dirt hill only after walking it

This wide-open space site is a small campground, in Los Padres National Forest –  with amazing views over the California Central Valley. Oak trees and pinyon pines. Windy days, Winter or Springtime is your best bet for a non-smoggy day.  The Sierra Nevada mountains range can be seen across the valley, 100+ miles away. On rare days, snow capped Mount Whitney can be seen from this location. New bathroom vault toilet built 2011.

  • dirt bike trails

  • earthquake fault

  • hiking

  • camping

  • dogs off leash

  • motorcycle road

  • night skies

  • sky views

  • stargazing

  • views

  • wildflowers

NFSlogo

 

slope
Best views on windy days. Fog and smog are common at this location.

Springtime Green Hills
Springtime Green Hills, looking north to the Central Valley

wildflower

nearby towns:

Mount Able
Mount Able (Cerro Noroeste)