FALL ADVENTURES IN CALIFORNIA’S SEQUOIA COUNTRY
Home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, California’s Sequoia Country makes for a fabulous fall getaway offering a variety of outdoor activities, a full calendar of events and seasonal festivals, and an eclectic selection of shopping and dining opportunities in the local gateway communities.
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: From forest adventures to fairs and festivals, this episode of Big Blend Radio’s 1st Thursday “Travel Tulare County” series with the Sequoia Tourism Council focuses on what to experience during the fall season in California’s Sequoia Country. Featured Guests: Denise Alonzo – Sequoia National Forest and Suzanne Boanco of Visit Visalia. Watch here in the YouTube player or download the podcast on Acast.
EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Spanning 461,901 acres, Kings Canyon National Park is made up of mostly wilderness, forests and spectacular canyons, with Kings Canyon itself being one of the deepest canyons in the United States. The park is known for being home to the General Grant Grove of giant sequoia trees, the famous General Grant Tree, and the Redwood Mountain Grove which is the largest remaining natural grove of giant sequoias in the world. One of the first parks in the country, Sequoia National Park is famous for its giant sequoia trees and black bears. Visit the General Sherman Tree (the largest living organism and tree in the world), climb Moro Rock, take in spectacular views of Mt. Whitney (the highest mountain in the contiguous 48 states), and hike through glacial canyons, and oak woodlands. The scenery is spectacular, offering a rich diversity of bird, plant and wildlife. Covering 404,064 acres, there are hundreds of streams, ponds, rivers, creeks and lakes, and over 200 marble caverns to explore. Learn more about both national parks at (559) 565-334 or www.NPS.gov/seki.
Featuring 33 groves of giant sequoia trees, the Sequoia National Forest is home to the biggest concentration of giant sequoia groves. These groves are protected within the Giant Sequoia National Monument, which encompasses over 353,000 acres of diverse landscape, including two wild and scenic rivers, lakes, and six wilderness areas. Along with the magnificent giant sequoias, the area is home to a myriad of plant, bird and animal species. There are limestone caverns to explore and granite domes and spires to see, along with archaeological sites. The activities are endless and include hiking and camping, mountain biking, horse riding, bird and wildlife watching. When it comes to viewing the Giant Sequoias, one of the more popular and easy-to-reach groves is on the Trail of 100 Giants in the Long Meadow Grove, which is estimated to have trees that are approximately 1,500 years old in growth. This 1.3 mile trail is paved and accessible, with several loop options, interpretive signs as well as the impressive site where two giant sequoias fell in 2011. Learn more at (559) 784-1500 or www.FS.USDA.gov/sequoia.
FOOD & SHOPPING FUN!
Celebrate the fall season by exploring the Tulare County communities of Exeter, Three Rivers, Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Springville, Lindsay, Dinuba and Woodlake. There are numerous shops and boutiques, restaurants and breweries, as well as museums, galleries and performance venues to experience. Regional lodging choices range from hotels and inns, to campgrounds and vacation rentals.
East of Fresno, the area is an easy 4-5 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area and 3-4 hours from Los Angeles. For up-to-date event information and to plan your Sequoia Getaway, visit www.DiscovertheSequoias.com.
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