Travel: A Trip Around the Valley

A Trip Around the Valley

Story & Photos by JJ Fry

A photo journal of our home during the springtime.

Yokohl Drive

Remember when we recommended traveling Yokohl Valley Drive back in our February issue? Right now there are billions of wildflowers in bloom, making the drive more beautiful than ever. I highly recommend taking a few hours out of your day to experience the super bloom right in our backyard. The road can be a little bumpy at times, but that will encourage you to take it slow and enjoy the view. If you continue through Springville, you can take a left and continue up into Sequoia National Forest, or take a right and see Lake Success on your way to Porterville. If you’re hungry after the scenic drive, check out The Vault Bar & Grill in Porterville for an amazing hamburger.

Lake Kaweah

Now is the time to enjoy Lake Kaweah at its fullest, before it’s used to irrigate the hundreds of acres in the Valley. Take a short drive up to the lake to enjoy a sunset, rent a houseboat, camp for a few nights, or simply see the sights. The foothills around the lake are covered in wildflowers, and some of the nearby mountains are painted orange with California poppies. Continue up the road into Three Rivers where you can enjoy lunch at Quesadilla Gorilla, or grab an ice cream cone at Reimer’s Candies. Keep going to see Sequoia National Park, where you can find iconic landmarks such as Moro Rock and General Sherman.

Kaweah Oaks Preserve

Would you rather: Go to the gym and walk on a treadmill, or take a walk in a grove of giant oak trees? Whether your goal is to get in shape or just enjoy an afternoon stroll, Kaweah Oaks Preserve is a perfect little escape just minutes east of Visalia. The Preserve has several trails that wind along creeks, prairies, and forests, each with a variety of different plants and wildlife. The Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset, so grab a sandwich and head out there for a picnic under the sprawling shade of a Valley Oak. Sequoia Riverlands Trust is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep the Preserves open for the public. There is no fee to visit the Preserves, but visitor donations help maintain these spaces for generations to come.