Wilderness Wonders
As the Gateway to Sequoia National Park, Three Rivers is a true foothill village, perfect for dining and lodging amid spectacular scenery. Stop by Reimer's Candies and Gifts, Sierra Subs or The Gateway Restaurant and Lodge. Outside town, take an awe-inspiring drive to the land of giants on the General Highway. In Sequoia National Park, encounter the General Sherman, a giant sequoia over 2,200 years old and the largest living single-stem three on Earth. And in Kings Canyon National Park stands the General Grant, the world's second largest giant sequoia, only 1,650-years old. Nearby, explore the Giant Sequoia National Monument, found inside the 1-million-acre Sequoia National Forest. Both wildernesses offer abundant camping, world-class whitewater rapids, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and more.
An Agricultural Powerhouse
As melting Sierra snows filled its water wells, through the years 5,000-square-mile Tulare County became the nation's number one milk processing county. In fact, the butter, ice cream and milk in your kitchen probably all hail from Tulare County.
Multicultural Local History
In Visalia, visit the Tulare County Museum for local history and to view one of California's largest Native American basket collections. Inside its doors, the History of Farm Labor and Agriculture Museum focuses on each cultural group's contributions to this agricultural powerhouse. Afterwards, enjoy the town's diverse cuisine: Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern or Filipino.
As California's first town founded and run by African Americans, Allensworth rose from flat farm country in 1908. Today, history comes alive at the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Stroll a collection of restored and reconstructed early 20th - century buildings, including an historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, library and the home of town founder and formerly enslaved Colonel Allen Allensworth.
Family Fun
In Lindsay, families will love McDermont X, a giant entertainment complex offering a FlowRider surfing pool, arcade, rock-climbing wall, laser or archery tag and bounce houses. In Springville, families can camp in a cool, green grove of Giant Sequoia trees in Tulare County's Balch Park.