AHWAHNEE • BASS LAKE • CHOWCHILLA • COARSEGOLD • FISH CAMP • MADERA • MADERA RANCHOS • NORTH FORK • OAKHURST • O’NEALS • RAYMOND • WAWONA
V I S I TO R S G U I D E 2 0 0 9
Passageway
into the Range of Light
Yosemite Mtn Sugar Pine Railroad ALL ABOARD!
Authentic Steam Powered Locomotives “Moonlight Special” Train, Barbeque & Entertainment • • • • •
HWY 41 • Fish Camp • CA • 93623
(559) 683-7273 www.yosemitesteamtrains.com Founded By The
Family In 1965
Operating in the Sierra National Forest at Yosemite’s South Gate
Model-A Powered Railcars Museum Gift Shops Sandwich Shop Gold Panning
Desirable things Here in Madera County, we can offer you a lot of desirable things: rushing rivers, world-famous waterfalls, rippling lakes, wineries, bits of the Gold Rush days, cattle grazing on rolling green hills and trees so varied you won’t believe they’re all in one county; old and gnarled olive trees with their distinctive gray-green leaves, massive native oaks, soaring pines. But what the locals love – and it’s the reason so many of us moved here – is the chance to sit on a rustic bench and gaze into a glade of trees shedding golden leaves or watch the breeze ruffle tall grass accented with patches of wildflowers or pick out the tracks of some intrepid tiny animal in fresh-fallen snow. We already know what you’ll soon discover. We know that zooming through the world keeps you from moments you’ll cherish long after you’ve returned home. And you may cherish those moments of calm and beauty so much you’ll do what we did – decide to make this your home. PHOTO: CSILLA ENYEDY SCHULCZ© - BENCH IN OCTOBER - YOSEMITE VALLEY (559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Madera County Madera County offers many wonderful treasures and is the most traveled route to Yosemite National Park via Highway 41. We are located in the middle of California and have something for everyone. Some of the exciting adventures awaiting you are wineries, agriculture, museums, train rides, horseback riding, antiques and collectibles shopping, wilderness adventures, local artists, boating, fishing, hiking, casino gambling and entertainment, fine dining and more. Places to stay include luxury hotels, Bed & Breakfast Inns, lakeside and mountain resorts, hotels, a casino and private cabin rentals. Chowchilla lies at the west of our county and offers a variety of agriculture adventures, historical sites, fairgrounds and sporting events, shopping and more. Madera is rich with history and agriculture and it’s the beginning of the fabulous Madera Wine Trail. The Madera Speedway and Madera County Fairgrounds offer a wide variety of events for the whole family. The Sierra foothills feature breathtaking views from its Scenic Byway and National Forest. Hiking, fishing, rock climbing, and mountain biking are just some of the fantastic adventures for the outdoor enthusiasts. We are rich with Native American history, museums, and have an amazing group of art galleries that compare to any region. Bass Lake offers water sports, fishing, hiking, and an array of fantastic lake resorts. North Fork is the exact center of California and is a must-see on your list of historical places. Many other communities make up our county, including Ahwahnee, Coarsegold, Nipinnawasee, Oakhurst, O’Neals and Raymond, which all have historical places to see and offer a wide variety of things to do and experiences for the whole family. I am honored to be the president of the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau and to welcome you to experience the many adventures Madera County has to offer.
PHOTOS: DONN LUSBY© - BARN - MADERA COUNTY DONN HOYER© - ALONG HIGHWAY 41 - MADERA COUNTY
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
Rhonda Salisbury Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau President
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2009 Yosemite Sierra Visitors Guide - Table of Contents Desirable things .....................................3 Madera County......................................5 Supervisor’s message..............................7 Truth seekers .........................................9 Chowchilla...........................................10 Madera ................................................11 Yosemite Sierra calendar of events...........................12-13 Take a swing at us................................15 From out of the past ............................17 Pow Wows - a local tradition ...............19 Madera Ranchos ..................................20 O’Neals ................................................20 Raymond .............................................20 Coarsegold ..........................................20 Ahwahnee ...........................................21 Oakhurst..............................................21 North fork............................................21 Fish Camp............................................21 Everything you could want ...................23 Head for the lake .................................25 Bass lake map ......................................27 Born from the ashes.............................29 Campgrounds ......................................30 Wilderness permits ..............................31 Campfire permits .................................31 Pack it in ..............................................31
Public showers .....................................31 RV parks ..............................................31 The journey begins now .......................33 Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway map..................33 Madera County Southern Yosemite area map .........................34-35 Contact information for Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau and local Chambers of Commerce ...........................................35 The road to heaven, illustrated .............36 Bones of the earth ...............................37 100 miles of inspiration...................38-39 Wonders of the world .....................40-41 Nature’s canvas ....................................43 An active life ...................................44-45 Close to nature ....................................47 Spring ..................................................48 Summer ...............................................49 Fall.......................................................50 Winter .................................................51 Picture-perfect weddings .....................53 Hide and go seek .................................55 Rainbow markers .................................57 Stay for awhile .....................................59 Lodging ...................................59, 61, 63 Eateries/Dining .....................................65
PHOTO: DEBRA SUTHERLAND© - EASTMAN LAKE - RAYMOND 6
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Supervisor’s message ¡Bienvenidos! and Welcome! On behalf of the Madera County Board of Supervisors, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Madera County. Madera County is blessed with a rich heritage and natural beauty. Whether you are a first-time tourist or a “regular” visitor, we are delighted to share the peaceful landscape and adventurous activities that this county has to offer. Located in the heart of California, Madera County is the gateway to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra National Forest. It is also the home of the world-renowned Madera Wine Trail and the spectacular scenery at Bass Lake. Madera County has every possible amenity available to make your stay with us pleasant. We offer affordable lodging options, internationally recognized cuisine and fun-filled recreational packages for individuals and families. We invite you to learn about our history which is preserved in our many museums and historic communities. You can enjoy an array of beautifully landscaped golf courses; perfect for the beginner or seasoned veteran. Or try your luck at gaming with a casino located in the foothills. Rest assured that your visit to Madera County will be enjoyable. I invite you to discover and explore Madera County for yourself and we hope you will return often.
Sincerely,
PHOTOS: RONN HENDERSHOTT© - AERIAL VIEW OF MADERA COUNTY BARBARA EZELL© - PAT’S RANCH
Max Rodriguez, Chairman Madera County Board of Supervisors
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Truth seekers In vino veritas, they say: In wine there is truth. Madera County is home to wineries large and small, some with established reputations and some that are building their reputation. The Spanish padres first brought grapes into the region and generations of vintners have carried on the traditions and passed down the secrets of winemaking. Our long, warm days bring out the best in the grapes and our winemakers bring out the best in the wines. Whenever you visit, the winemakers themselves are likely to be on hand to share with you their passion for the magic worked on simple grapes by sun and casks and time. An association of vintners conducts special tours three times a year: near Valentine’s Day, in the green and lush days of May and in the cool of November when the harvest is in. But you’re welcome to stop by tasting rooms at most of them any time. Most are in the central valley, but a few are in the hills where microclimates produce vintages with something special, something rare. Wherever you savor our vintages, you’ll also savor our truths. PHOTOS: PAUL MULLINS© - FIG ORCHARD - SAN JOAQUIN BRIAN WILHITE© - GRAPES - MADERA COUNTY
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Chowchilla Chowchilla is one of the San Joaquin Valley’s charming little farm towns. It’s an identity the city values and respects. The name comes from the Chowchilla Indians who roamed this area before the Europeans arrived. It was founded by land speculator Orlando Alison Robertson, who bought up enough land to create hundreds of farms and still have land left over for a town that included 12-mile Robertson Boulevard. Robertson the boulevard still plays a key part in the life of the town. Robertson, the speculator, planted palms along the thoroughfare in 1913 and they’re still there, a scene on many a postcard over the decades. The boulevard is also the scene that brings the old days back to town as cattle are herded along by cowboys on horseback. Chowchilla has the county fairgrounds, too, and so hosts fairs and other celebrations that bring people in from all over the region. You’ll see the 4-H and FFA youngsters proudly showing their lambs, rabbits and chickens. There’s always a carnival with flashy rides lighting up the night sky and young sweethearts sharing a cotton candy or snow cone treat. And what’s a small town summer without a municipal fireworks display? Over at the reservoir, though, the drag boats will fill your heart with excitement and your ears with thunder. All year-round the town gathers for the simple pleasures of pancake breakfasts, community concerts, harvest festivals and block parties. Chowchilla is one more place in our rural county where the pace slows down and the simple things are the best things. PHOTOS: COMPLIMENTS OF THE CITY OF CHOWCHILLA PARKS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT© BOAT DRAG RACING - CHOWCHILLA & WESTERN STAMPEDE - CHOWCHILLA BRIAN WILHITE© - CHOWCHILLA MEMORIAL PARK
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Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Madera Madera the town is also the county seat of Madera County, a county that starts at the San Joaquin Valley floor and climbs its way up into the towering Sierra and to the door of Yosemite National Park. Madera, which means lumber in Spanish, was named well. Millions of trees were harvested from the mountainsides in the county and the town that was the heart of that timber industry. Though the town isn’t old by world standards – barely older than 100 years officially, it almost has the look of a Midwestern agricultural center. It sits along legendary Highway 99, “California’s Main Street,” which once ran from Baja California to the Canadian border. It was part of the migration route for the people who fled the Dust Bowl in the 1930s and came to California for work. Many of them settled in towns like Madera, so that, in part, explains the town’s Midwest feel. Downtown’s brick and stucco facades look the same as they have for decades, except that now, there are mostly signs in Spanish, reflecting Madera’s rich cultural diversity. One point of pride is the new, state-of-the-art county government center. Its cascading water sculpture is much-admired and remarked upon. Just a block away is the town park with its green expanses under mature, spreading trees. It’s there in the summer that county employees take their ease at lunch breaks and a farmers market sells fruits, flowers, nuts and vegetables picked that same morning from the fertile fields that stretch for miles. Madera has that small-town feel because it’s small, of course, but the townsfolk like it that way. The weekly flea market, the summer concerts in the park, the car shows, and annual celebrations such as Midnight Madness, when the whole town stays up late, bring the people of Madera together. It’s also the center of the arts for the county. The Circle Gallery is home for the County Arts Council and the host of shows – such as a show of art related to agriculture – and coordinator of culture for the county. It’s proud of its past, glories in its present and looks forward to a secure future.
PHOTOS: BRIAN WILHITE© - WELCOME TO MADERA FRANKA GABLER© - SUNSET - SIERRA FOOTHILLS DONN HOYER© - GROUND ZERO SKATE PARK - MADERA
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Yosemite Sierra calendar of events For a complete calendar of events for the area visit: yosemitethisyear.com/calendar.html
JANUARY For a listing of winter activities ................................................................................ (559) 683-4636
FEBRUARY Fresno Flats ragtime & Vintage music Festival - Oakhurst .................................. (559) 683-6570 Valentine Wine express - Chowchilla...................................................................... (559) 665-5603 Wine & Chocolate Weekend/madera Wine trail - maderavintners.com ................ (800) 733-8068
MARCH For a listing of activities ............................................................................................... (559) 683-4636
APRIL Western stampede - Chowchilla ................................................................................ (559) 665-1882 Woodcarvers rendezvous - Oakhurst - oakhurstchamber.com .....(559) 658-2405 or (562 ) 425-0732
MAY 3rd annual spring Bass Lake arts and Crafts Fair Pines Village/Bass Lake - thecraftfair.org ...................................................................... (559) 877-3474 Flatlander Day Parade - Madera Ranchos.................................................................... (559) 645-4001 Home & Garden show - Oakhurst - oakhurstchamber.com .......................................... (559) 683-7766 spring Wine trail adventure/madera Wine trail - maderavintners.com.................... (800) 733-8068 memorial Day Weekend Peddlers Fair - Coarsegold .................................................. (559) 683-3900 29th annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby - Bass Lake - basslakechamber.com .................. (559) 642-3676 19th annual antique and Classic Wooden Boat show - Bass Lake acbs-tahoe.org ... (559) 733-8379 international miniature aircraft association (I.M.A.A.) West Coast Festival Chowchilla/Airport ...................................................................................................... (559) 665-5603 iron Gate art show - Chowchilla/Parkview Palms Plaza ................................................ (559) 665-3135 11th annual Chowchilla Chamber Golf tournament/Pheasant run Golf Coarse Chowchilla .................................................................................................................. (559) 665-5603 Chowchilla-madera County Fair - Chowchilla............................................................. (559) 665-3728 57th annual Coarsegold rodeo - Coarsegold - thecoarsegoldrodeo.com .................... (559) 683-1952 Jazz on the Lake begins 15-week session - Bass Lake - basslake.com........................ (559) 642-3121 sierra mountain Quilters association Quilt show - Bass Lake - Oakhurst ................ (559) 877-7610
JUNE Classic V-Drive Boat show - Bass Lake - v-driveboats.com .......................................... (559) 322-9340 art, music and Dinner in the meadow - Coarsegold ................................................ (559) 642-4448 sierra Chamber singers and Friends Concert - Oakhurst ......................................... (559) 683-7071 33rd annual Bass Lake arts and Crafts Fairs - Pines Village/Bass Lake thecraftfair.org .......................................................................................................... (559) 877-3474 Boat Drags - Chowchilla Berenda Reservoir - Chowchilla ............................................ (559) 665-5603
JULY Light up the sky annual Fireworks show - Bass Lake - basslakechamber.com ....... (559) 642-3676 Chowchilla Lions Club Fireworks show - Chowchilla/Fairgrounds - chowchillalions.org annual mid-sierra Loggers Jamboree - North Fork................................................ (559) 877-7700
PHOTOS: BARBARA EZELL© - FANCY DANCER - NORTH FORK POW WOW BRIAN WILHITE© - PEDDLERS FAIR - OAKHURST BARBARA EZELL© - LOGGERS JAMBOREE, NORTH FORK DONN HOYER© - ANTIQUE BOAT SHOW - BASS LAKE FRANKA GABLER© - CLEARING STORM - SIERRA FOOTHILLS
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Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
AUGUST annual sierra mono museum indian Fair Days & Pow Wow - North Fork .....(559) 877-2115 mountain Classic Car show - North Fork ............................................................(559) 877-4597 Didgeridoo music Festival - North Fork - jtdidgefest.com
SEPTEMBER Labor Day Weekend Peddlers Fair - Coarsegold .................................................. (559) 683-3900 madera District Fair - Madera Fair Grounds - maderafair.com ................................(559) 674-8511 7th annual run for the Gold Car show - Oakhurst .............................................. (559) 877-6500 13th annual mountain Heritage Day at Fresno Flats - Oakhurst..........................(559) 683-6570 Bass Lake arts and Crafts Fair - Pines Village/Bass Lake - thecraftfair.org ............... (559) 877-3474 Yosemite Flute & art Festival - Oakhurst - yosemiteflutefest.com ...........................(559) 641-5980 22nd annual smokey Bear 10K and 2 mile run/Walk - smokeybearrun.com ........ (559) 683-1770 old timer’s Day Parade & Celebration - Madera .....................................................(559) 675-7071 old timer’s “Day in the Park” - Madera ................................................................... (559) 673-0291 Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce annual Classic Car show Chowchilla/Veterans Park ..........................................................................................(559) 665-5603 Bass Lake Lions Club Home tour - Bass Lake - basslakehometour.com ...................... (559) 642-3037 art trails Preview exhibit - sierraarttrails.org ............................................................. (559) 658-8844 Jazz on the Lake season Finale - Bass Lake - basslake.com ........................................(559) 642-3121
OCTOBER Picayune rancheria Pow Wow - Coarsegold...............................................................(559) 683-6633 Fall Chocolate & Wine Festival - Oakhurst - oakhurstchamber.com .............................(559) 683-7766 7th annual sierra art trails - sierraarttrails.org ...........................................................(559) 658-8844 tarantula Festival - Coarsegold .................................................................................... (559) 683-3900 Bass Lake arts and Crafts Fair - Pines Village/Bass Lake - thecraftfair.org .................... (559) 877-3474 Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century - fresnocycling.com...................................... (559) 299-0175 Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce “Wine, Dine, & tunes" Chowchilla/Downtown ................................................................................................ (559) 665-5603 annual Grizzly Century Bike ride - North Fork - grizzlycentury.org North Fork Fall Festival - North Fork ...............................................(559) 877-4806 or (559) 877-2282
NOVEMBER Holiday spirit Wine trail Weekend/madera Wine trail - maderavintners.com..........(800) 733-8068 Bass Lake arts and Crafts Fair - Pines Village/Bass Lake - thecraftfair.org ....................(559) 877-3474 Holiday Craft Faire - Oakhurst .................................................................................... (559) 683-7071 10th annual Bass Lake tree Lighting - Bass Lake/Pines Village - basslake.com ........... (559) 692-8868
DECEMBER tractor Parade of Lights - Madera ............................................................................. (559) 673-5951 annual Christmas tree Lighting - Madera Ranchos .................................................. (559) 645-4001 Christmas in the mountains - Oakhurst ....................................................................(559) 642-4329 41st annual Christmas tree Lighting - Chowchilla ................................................... (559) 665-8640 Christmas tree Lighting - Oakhurst .......................................................................... (559) 683-7653 Christmas at Fresno Flats - Oakhurst ........................................................................ (559) 683-6570 Coffee Cats & Chowchilla art Guild Christmas Boutique Chowchilla/Parkview Palms Plaza ............................................................................. (559) 665-3135 Christmas Bazaar - North Fork .................................................................................(559) 877-4554 annual Children’s Parade - North Fork ................................................................... (559) 877-7590 PHOTOS: NANCY ROBBINS© - HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE - WAWONA DOUG SCOTT© - OAKHURST CAR SHOW - OAKHURST DONN HOYER© - FIREWORKS AT THE LAKE - BASS LAKE FRANKA GABLER© - BULL RIDER - COARSEGOLD RODEO
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Experience the Luxury of Quaint River View Lodging
WINE BAR
& BEER GARDEN Minutes away from the south entrance to Yosemite National Park!
I H
dle our
winery
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Relax in the modern luxury of your room or take a stroll on our landscaped pathway and enjoy the views leading to the river. Visit our wine bar for a taste of over ninety fine wines and a selection of imported beers.
Visit Oakhurst’s First Winery and Taste our Handcrafted Wines We use sustainably grown grapes and make the wine gently, using gravity flow and other traditional methods. We produce Viognier, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Touriga Nacional.
41139 Highway 41, Oakhurst, Ca 93644
www.queensinn.com u Phone: 559.683.4354 u www.idlehourwinery.com Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Take a swing at us When you play golf, you always try for your personal best. And the chances you have to play here in Madera county will challenge and delight you with their variety – and their altitude.
madera Golf and Country Club (559) 674-1527
Down on the valley floor, there are courses where palms sway and water hazards flash in the sun. As you move up into the Sierra, you find courses with sturdy oaks and whispering pines. Hazards are different in the mountains. It’s not unusual for deer and wild turkeys to wander onto the courses.
Pheasant run Golf Club (559) 665-3411
Courses nestled in the foothills have distinct personalities, from a riverside course with meandering landscape to one tucked into a small valley with striking ridgelines visible from each hole. You can play golf year-round in Madera County, except Wawona, a nine-hole course inside the boundaries of Yosemite National Park and under snow for part of the year.
madera municipal Golf Course (559) 675-3504
river Creek Golf Course (559) 683-5600 sierra meadows Country Club (559) 642-1343 Wawona Golf Course (209) 375-6572 Yosemite Lakes Park Golf Course (559) 642-2562
PHOTOS: PAUL MULLINS© - PHEASANT RUN GOLF COURSE - CHOWCHILLA NANCY ROBBINS© - GOLFER WAWONA
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Consortium of Southern Yosemite Museums CAPTURE . EXPLORE . MARVEL . INVESTIGATE . REMINISCE
“A world of hands-on exploration awaits you.”
A Glance at Life at the Turn of the Century
Children’s Museum of the Sierra
THE THORNBERRY HOUSE Visit the Thornberry Family Log Cabin
Explore butterflies, fossils & fluorescent rocks. Be a fireman or take a ride on the pirate ship!
Admission: $3
Located at Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
www.childrensmuseumofthesierra.org
49269 Golden Oak Drive, Oakhurst, 559-658-5656
Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park Capture the flavor of family life in the mountains a century ago Daily: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Phone: 559-683-6570 49777 School Road www.FresnoFlatsMuseum.org
EST. 1894 Open most weekdays during normal business hours
Completely Restored Beautiful Stained Glass Windows Replicated from Original Glass Fragments.
Oakhill Cemetery - Hwy 41 Oakhurst For Info: Madera Cemetery Office P.O. Box 477, Madera, CA 93639
Over 100 years old!
Fish Camp CA
Tues - Sat: 10a.m. - 4p.m. Sun: 1p.m. - 4p.m. Call for extended summer hours
www.ymsprr.com
Raymond Museum: The Charles Miller House • Built in 1886 • Listed on the California Registry of Historic Places • Learn the of secret of why between 1886 and 1946 “all roads led to Raymond” Road 600 • Raymond • (559) 689-1886 www.southernyosemitemuseums.org/rm
559-683-7273
Explore the History of Coarsegold & Eastern Madera County
• Restored buildings • Artifacts • Research Library Hours vary by season • Call for information or to schedule an appointment
559-642-4448
www.coarsegoldhistoricmuseum.net
Find Real Gold Plus, fantastic gem and mineral specimens.
Wild Wonderful King Vintage Museum Hosts
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SELF MADE IN AMERICA LEARNING EXHIBITS March 5, 2010 to April 2, 2010 559-658-6999
www.kingvintagemuseum.org kingvintagemuseum@sti.net Provided by Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in collaboration with the American Library Association and with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, We the People program
Fostering an Awareness of History and Appreciation of Vintage Fashion See our various exhibits, including:
• 1920s Paper Crepe Dress • 1790 Ballroom Slippers • The Corset Display • Civil War Memorabilia • Men’s & Children’s Sections Plus Much More!
Call for Museum Hours Admission/Donation $2 40680 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644 Museum: 559-658-6999 • Tours 559-760-7600 Tours available by appointment for individuals, groups, clubs and schools www.kingvintagemuseum.org
www.southernyosemitemuseums.org
Re-live the Gold Rush Days in our mine tunnel. Kids Activities Gift & Jewelry Shop Adults: $3 • 16 & under: Free
at the
California State Mining & Mineral Museum at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds 30 minutes north of Oakhurst on Hwy 49
209-742-7625
From out of the past The county’s history, as is true of all of the United States, begins with the American Indians who called these lands home. The Miwok, the Yokut and the Mono peoples were the county’s original residents. When the Europeans began to arrive, they had commerce on their minds. It was the lure of gold that brought many of the county’s foothill towns into existence. Some bloomed and boomed. Those colorful days are celebrated not only in town museums, but in the markers that point out the spots of the places that didn’t make it beyond the booms. The stories of holdups and hangings, loose women and strong wives, miners, hunters, cowboys, loggers and dam builders are told in the county’s historical museums. Once the nuggets were gone, there were other rushes. In the plains and foothills, the “gold” was in growing food for the burgeoning state. In the mountains, millions of board feet of lumber were there for the taking. And in the high country, there was water that could feed the hungry farms, water that could produce electricity for a valley that was coming into its own. Neither did it hurt that one of the world’s most beautiful places, Yosemite Valley, brought tourists – who included Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt – into the county. PHOTOS: BARBARA EZELL© - GIRL WEARING HAT - COARSEGOLD RODEO BARBARA EZELL© - LITTLE CHURCH ON THE HILL - OAKHURST DONN HOYER© - RAYMOND MUSEUM - RAYMOND RIKKI ALLEY© - MADERA COUNTY MUSEUM
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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STAY PLAY &
Near the majestic splendor of Yosemite National Park, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino brings the beauty of the Sierra foothills into a world-class destination for gaming, dining and entertainment. Whatever you desire, the fast action of table games and exciting slots, casual to elegant dining or ďŹ rst-class entertainment, Chukchansi is your destination in Central California.
Hwy 41 just north of Fresno in Coarsegold | 1-866-7-WIN-WIN (946-946) | www.chukchansigold.com
Pow Wows - a local tradition The dance competition is but one part of these intriguing celebrations, held in various places several times each year. These gatherings have a deeply felt religious significance and a reverence for the old ways. They serve to bring the nations together, to help develop solidarity among America’s native peoples. There is food – Indian tacos are always a favorite, but you’ll find everything from hot dogs to Chinese dishes, too. You can watch the women gather for the circle dances, done at a stately pace with great dignity. You can smile at the tiny tots, just learning their dances and concentrating so hard as they stamp about in their best finery. But the big attention getters are the male dancers, fierce and nimble, who seem almost in a trance as they pound their feet, leap and whoop, never missing a beat. These Pow Wows are also a chance for you to talk with the participants. They’re happy to explain the significance of their regalia, their dances, their chants. And that’s what it’s all about, really, getting to know another culture.
North Fork indian Fair Days First weekend in August, North Fork (559) 877-2115 Picayune rancheria Pow Wow October, Coarsegold (559) 683-6633 Precious sunset indian Pow Wow September, Bass Lake (559) 855-2705 Gathering Day Wassama round House Third Saturday in October State Historic Park, Ahwahnee (209) 742-7625
PHOTOS: JEFF GRANDY© CASCADE - NEAR RAYMOND BARBARA EZELL© - TRADITIONAL DANCER BARBARA EZELL© - JINGLE DANCER BARBARA EZELL© - FANCY JINGLE
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Madera Ranchos What started out as a collection of horse properties has grown into a thriving community with all the usual amenities, plus a regional children’s hospital. The residents are proud of their library, for one thing, and an atmosphere that’s rural with decidedly urban Fresno within a few-minutes’ drive.
O’Neals Never one of the area’s boom towns, O’Neals was named after Charles O’Neal who bought a store there and also ran the post office and hotel. There’s not much town there, but the people on the ranches in the hills think that’s just fine.
Raymond The town was once the bustling community where the railroad ended and stagecoach trips to Yosemite began. Teddy Roosevelt came through and so did most of the big names of his generation. These days the place is famous for its annual parade and community festival, the original tin ceiling at its one big gathering spot and a brand new labor-of-love local museum in the town’s first home.
Coarsegold With a name like that, the town has to have Gold Rush associations, and it does indeed. It’s right on the main route from the valley to Yosemite, but has plenty of attractions to stop for, including the site of the town’s festivals from fall and spring peddlers fairs to the annual Tarantula Festival. PHOTO: DAVID HURST© - SPRING IN THE OLD BARNYARD
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Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Ahwahnee Another Gold Rush town, Ahwahnee was the site of some very important mines. Today it’s famous for the Wasama Round House, and its annual gathering of Indians who demonstrate native crafts and tell the old stories.
Oakhurst The largest community in the mountains, Oakhurst, also had its beginnings along gold-rich creeks. It celebrates its past with a historical village of old structures from the Mountain Area. It is also a center for the arts and hosts the annual Sierra Art Trails, two days of self-guided studio tours. And there’s a chocolate and wine festival, car show, pet fair, community Christmas festivals and melodrama theater that draw tourists.
North Fork This was a boom town, but not from gold. Its wealth came from lumber. Its mills helped build America in a very real sense. It looks like the mountain town of your dreams, and lately, murals depicting life there have begun to appear on buildings all over town.
Fish Camp In winter, this tiny stop on the way to Yosemite is blanketed in snow and looks like something off a poster or postcard. At more than 5,000 feet, it is a summer delight. While the community isn’t large, it is near a first-class resort and an excursion train that takes you back in time.
PHOTOS: NANCY ROBBINS© - HORSES GRAZING - AHWAHNEE BARBARA EZELL© - KELTY MEADOW (559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Buckhorn Saloon & Restaurant 102 Years of History, Food & Fun! 365 DAYS A YEAR
(559) 877-8700
La Cabaña Real Authentic Mexican Food Where the locals love to eat! (559)
JANET WHEELER Homes, Ranches, Commercial & Lake Property
“We Toss Em, They’re Awesome”
Bass Lake, North Fork, O’Neals and surrounding area
559
877-3311 (on the Main Street)
• Pizza • Pasta • Calzone • Sandwiches • Salad Bar Downtown North Fork by the Post Office
877-4177
J.Wheeler@c21ditton.com
(559)877-7777
BASS FORK MINIT MART Shell Gas~Diesel~Propane Deli~Bait~Beer~Hunting & Fishing License
(559) 877-7799
Corner of Rd. 200 & Bass Lake Rd. 221
(559)
877-6209
SierraPinesYouthCamp.org
PO Box 400 33030 Road 228 North Fork CA 93643
Church Camp for all ages
www.chawanakee.k12.ca.us
OPEN YEAR-ROUND
559-877-4711
Scenic Byway/Mammoth Pools
Would you love to live in the Sierras? • • • •
22
Loggers Jamboree Indian Fair Days Pow Wow Mountain Classic Car Show Sidewalk Arts Festival
• • • •
Didgeridoo Fest Art in the Garden Kids Fishing Derby Spring Fling
Find the ideal Mountain Home with Expert Assistance!
Call Buyer Specialist & Realtor Kirsten Englund (559)676-1901 www.HomesInNorthFork.com Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Everything you could want When the world was created, Madera County was blessed. The Sierra to the east, with its abundant snows and waters, sent rivers rushing down past rolling, rock-studded hills to a flat valley floor where abundant wildlife, stately oaks and native grasses made life rich and almost easy for the Indians who roamed the area. Farmers, cattle ranchers and lumbermen later saw the vast opportunities to help the young county grow and prosper by furnishing all the things growth needs – food and housing and a flourishing economy. Oh, yes. Then there was the gold. Madera County’s mountain towns lie at the southern end of Gold Country. When you visit us, if you can, hit the lower end of the county near dawn or sunset. The hills take on a special play of light and shadow and almost come alive – alive with possibilities. PHOTOS: JEFF GRANDY© - FOOTHILLS IN SPRING - MARIPOSA COUNTY MICHAEL SIMONIAN © - HANDCRAFTED SIGNPOST SCULPTURE - NORTH FORK
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
23
Head for the lake Boredom? There’s one word missing from the vocabulary of visitors to Bass Lake. With miles of warm water shoreline, the lake nearly bursts with activity. Days at the lake may look something like this:
Morning - Cast a line in for a few of the massive fish cruising the bottom. Or, watch the sunrise over the lake with a cup of coffee on the deck of a resort suite, from a campsite picnic table, a bed & breakfast or a private rented cabin. You might even spot a nesting bald eagle! Waffles for breakfast anyone? Then, suit up, the day’s just getting started.
Afternoon - A leisurely stroll along the shore, a hike up to Angel Falls, watching the people blur as you speed by on a jet ski or enjoying any other water activity imaginable, and you're ready for a legendary burger from one of the local eateries. Of course lunch isn’t complete until you’ve had a scoop or two of parlor-style ice cream topped with old-fashioned, mountain-style sauce. Soak in the sun on the shore or play a game of Frisbee.
Evening - If you aren’t frying the catch of the day, why not dress it up and head out for some of the area’s fine dining for the perfect end to a fun-filled day? Watch summer fireworks over the water and listen to Friday Jazz on the Lake performances while you dine. Now that's a summer’s eve. PHOTOS: NANCY ROBBINS© - WATER SKIING - BASS LAKE SUSANNE UPDIKE-WAITE© - JET SKIING - BASS LAKE SUSANNE UPDIKE-WAITE© - WATER GUN - BASS LAKE (559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
25
26
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Bass Lake map sierra National Forest
LEGEND
PHOTOS: DEBRA SUTHERLAND© - FISHING - BASS LAKE BRIAN WILHITE© - DOCKS - BASS LAKE
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
27
28
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Born from the ashes After a series of forest fires licked along the Sierra range, something beautiful spread in its wake. Akin to the wildflowers that blossom after a blaze on otherwise barren land, communities grew together in a new communion. Meals and shelter were shared with families who lost homes; boxed lunches, free movies and signs posted along highways to thank firefighters appeared as the people banded together. Like the cycles of life and death, forest fires are a natural part of ecosystems in many forests and often essential for forest regeneration. And so, new life has come in another form as well. The Sierra fires have brought renowned scientists to the region to spearhead ground-breaking research on prescribed fire techniques, land and resource management and environmental stewardship. This work has melded the scientists with land management agencies, environmental advocacy groups and interested members of each community working together for the land precious to them. Paramount to fire prevention is prescribed burning, which refers to the controlled application of fire to wildland ecosytems under specific environmental conditions. This helps restore health to fire-adapted environments. It is in these efforts that different groups work for the good of preserving and restoring the land for future generations to enjoy. By reducing tangled ground brush, which can fuel flames up along century-old trees, new growth of native vegetation is encouraged, and helps maintain the many plant and animal species whose habitats depend on periodic fire, and the catastrophic damage of wildfire on our lands and surrounding communities is reduced. Meanwhile, these efforts encourage the new growth of science, the maintenance of healthy and involved communities as well as stewardship of some of America’s most treasured resources. In the Sierra, fire has given birth to new life. PHOTOS: RIKKI ALLEY© - CONTROLLED BURN - WAWONA DONN LUSBY© - RANGELAND FIRE SUSANNE UPDIKE-WAITE© - CAMPFIRE - FISH CAMP NANCY ROBBINS© - LUPINES AND CONE - YOSEMITE VALLEY
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Campgrounds Sierra National Forest See map on page 33 for location.
CAMPGROUND
Units
Fees/$
Water
Reservable
Elevation (ft.)
Big sandy
18
16
No
No
5800
Bowler Groups & Horses
12
0
No
No
7000
Chilkoot
14
16
No
Yes
4600
China Bar Hike/Boat In
6
0
No
No
3300
Clover meadow
7
0
Yes
No
7000
Fish Creek
7
16
No
Yes
4600
Fresno Dome Gaggs Camp Granite Creek
15
16
No
No
6400
12
16
No
No
5700
20
0
No
No
7000
26
16
No
No
5400
8
0
Yes
No
3600
11
16
No
Yes
5800
5
0
No
No
4800
7
16
No
No
4900
47
17-34
Yes
Yes
3400
7
0
No
No
5500
8
16
No
Yes
4100
18
17-34
Yes
Yes
4300
18
16
No
No
4300
11
17-32
No
Yes
5400
6
0
No
No
5800
30
19
Yes
Yes
5000
10
14
No
Yes
3800
4
60-90
No
Yes
5400
20
0
No
No
6800
8
16
No
No
5300
14
0
No
No
5800
Horse Corral
Greys mountain Jerseydale Kelty meadow Horse Camp
Little Jackass Lower Chiquito mammoth Pool Nelder Grove Placer rock Creek soda springs soquel summit summerdale sweetwater texas Flat Groups & Horses upper Chiquito Whiskers Whisky Falls
PHOTO: RONN HENDERSHOTTŠ - CAMPSITE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST, MADERA COUNTY
Bass Lake Recreation Area All are single-family units except for Wishon and Lupine-Cedar Bluff, which offer double-family spaces. Fees subject to change. See map on page 27 for location.
CAMPGROUND
Units
Fees/$
Water
Reservable
Elevation (ft.)
113
21
Yes
Yes
3500
Forks
31
21
Yes
Yes
3500
spring Cove
63
21
Yes
Yes
3500
Wishon Point
47
21
Yes
Yes
3500
Open Year-Round Lupine-Cedar Bluff Open May 15 - September 11
30
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Wilderness permits These are required for overnight stays in wilderness areas. Contact the agencies listed below. Sierra National Forest, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Bass Lake Ranger District North Fork ............................(559) 877-2218 Oakhurst...............................(559) 658-7588 Yosemite Backcountry/ Wilderness ............................(209) 372-0740
Campfire permits These are required outside designated campgrounds in all areas of the National Forest. Free permits may be obtained from the Forest Service or the California Department of Forestry.
Pack it in Pack it out! Many campgrounds do not have garbage pickup, so campers need to pack out all trash.
Public showers There are none at the campgrounds. For a fee, public showers are available at Miller’s Landing at Bass Lake, High Sierra RV in Oakhurst, and Jones Store at Beasore Meadows.
RV parks You’ve come to the right place. If you love meeting life-long friends and enjoy having a different backyard every so often, as most RV enthusiasts do, we have you covered. Madera County has more than a half-dozen RV parks that offer everything from sparkling swimming pools to gift shops featuring wild huckleberry bark and strawberry rhubarb jam. Step outside your RV with a fresh cup of coffee and savor the breathtaking views. PHOTO: NANCY ROBBINS© - HIKERS - VERNAL FALL, YOSEMITE N.P. (559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
rV ParKs
elks Lodge Oakhurst • (559) 683-2717
arena rV Park Chowchilla • (559) 665-1752
High sierra rV and mobile Home Park Oakhurst • (559) 683-7662
Bass Lake recreation resort Bass Lake • (559) 642-3145 Country Living mobile Home and rV Park Madera • (559) 674-5343
Lakes rV & Golf resort Chowchilla • (559) 665-6980 Yosemite south Koa Coarsegold • (559) 683-7855 31
Yosemite Bicycle & Sport www.yosemitebicycle.com
✔
Sales & Rentals
✔
Service & Repairs
✔
Specialized & Diamondback Bikes
✔
Tires
✔
Accessories
✔
Parts
✔
Helmets
✔
Clothing
559-641-Bike ( 2 4 5 3 ) Behind McDonalds
401 HWY. 41 STE. F, OAKHURST CA 93644
Connecting You to the World …at the Speed of Light
Bass Lake RecReation aRea Sierra National Forest
Beautiful campsites along the shore of Bass Lake Group camping available
Paved day-use picnic areas Boat ramp
• All Optical Backbone • Fiber to the Edge
To reserve your site, call
• Networking and Communications Solutions
www.stcg.net 32
www.recreation.gov
Other camping areas on the Sierra National Forest are also available Photo © Donn Lusby
• Superior Customer Care
1-877-444-6777
The Bass Lake Recreation Area is operated by California Land Management, a professional recreation management company operating under a Special Use Permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
The journey begins now Madera County and its foothills are original. We have so much to offer that as you travel to your destination, you will find getting there is part of the adventure and experience. Glance outside and watch the cattle roam, stop and enjoy a cold drink along the road or take in the views of our wildlife and luscious forests. PHOTO: KARL BRALICHŠ - SUNSET - GLACIER POINT, YOSEMITE N.P.
Yosemite National Park
sierra National Forest
ansel adams Wilderness
sierra National Forest
SierraVista
National scenic Byway
Pull out these four inside pages to carry with you!
See detailed map on page 27
sierra Vista National scenic Byway*
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
33
➼
Legend
Madera County/ Southern Yosemite Area Map
sierra National Forest
Yosemite National Park
ansel adams Wilderness
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
Serving Madera County Since 1986 (559) 683-4636 41969 Hwy. 41 Oakhurst CA 93644 yosemitethisyear.com
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau
For more information to help plan your trip contact:
(559) 642-2262
(559) 642-3676
(559) 673-3563
madera District Chamber of Commerce
(559) 645-0634
(559) 665-5603
Coarsegold Chamber of Commerce
Golden Valley Chamber of Commerce
Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce
Bass Lake Chamber of Commerce
Chambers of Commerce:
Yosemite Valley
See detailed map on page 33
(559) 683-7766
oakhurst area Chamber of Commerce
(559) 877-2410
North Fork Chamber of Commerce
35
The road to heaven, illustrated Getting here is not complicated, as Highway 41 into Yosemite National Park rarely suffers impassability. PHOTO: CHRISTOPHE TESTI© - REDWOODS - MARIPOSA GROVE
Highway conditions Yosemite National Park (209) 372-0200 nps.gov/yose/
Caltrans (800) 427-7623 dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/
Weather report National Weather Service (559) 291-1068 nws.noaa.gov/
U.S. Forest Service (559) 658-7588 fs.fed.us/
aVeraGe temPeratures January February March April May June July August September October November December
36
LoW
HiGH
26° 29° 31° 35° 32° 48° 53° 52° 52° 47° 39° 26°
47° 55° 59° 59° 73° 82° 90° 90° 90° 85° 74° 46°
Mileages and drive times to Oakhurst FROM
MILEAGE
DRIVE TIME
Bakersfield ...................... 155 miles ....... 2.5 hours Chowchilla ........................ 58 miles ..... 1.25 hours Fresno ............................... 48 miles .....50 minutes Las Vegas ........................ 438 miles .......... 7 hours Los Angeles ..................... 275 miles ....... 4.5 hours Madera ............................. 46 miles .....45 minutes Merced ............................. 67 miles ..... 1.25 hours Monterey ........................ 195 miles .......... 3 hours Sacramento ..................... 170 miles .......... 3 hours San Diego ....................... 380 miles .......... 6 hours San Francisco .................. 213 miles .......... 4 hours San Jose.......................... 180 miles .......... 3 hours San Luis Obispo............... 155 miles .......... 3 hours Santa Barbara ................. 282 miles .......... 5 hours Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Bones of the earth Dramatic peaks and domes rule the landscape of the U-shaped glacial Yosemite Valley. The vast majority of Yosemite is comprised of granitic rocks formed millions of year ago and speckled with feldspar, quartz, biotite mica and hornblende. The valley floor at 4,000 feet elevation sprawls seven miles in length and a mile in width. Look up and sheer cliffs ascend 3-4,000 feet above you; granite faces ground, buffed and polished by the forces of flowing water and glacial ice along the valley floor. The process of erosion continues today as does the discovery of new life forms and geological history as world-renowned scientists flock to what John Muir referred to as the “incomparable valley.”
PHOTO: NANCY ROBBINS© SUNSET - HALF DOME, YOSEMITE N.P.
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
37
100 miles of inspiration The Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway The Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway directs visitors along approximately 100 miles of roadway for some of the most majestic scenery to be found in California’s Sierra Nevada range. Designated on July 14, 1989 by the U.S. Forest Service, it was one of the first three Byways in California and among the first 50 in the United States. This outstanding scenic drive follows ridges and meadow edges along U.S. Forest Service-maintained roads connecting the communities of North Fork, Bass Lake and Oakhurst. Start your Byway adventure in the community of North Fork with a visit to the Sierra Mono Indian Museum. The fascinating heritage of the Mono people and their practical yet beautiful basketry will prepare you as you start your journey. Nearby, trails follow the historic trade route to the eastern Sierra used by past generations. A short 2.7-mile side trip down Italian Bar Road (Rd. 225) leads to the exact center of California. A permanent survey plate and monument mark the geographic center of the Golden State. Places like Redinger Overlook, the Jesse Ross historic
CAUTION: The Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway is a seasonal route with no snow removal or travel services in winter. Please check with the U.S. Forest Service (559) 877-2218 or Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau (559) 683-4636 for road and weather conditions before starting your trip.
38
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
PHOTO: PAUL MULLINSŠ - MILE HIGH CURVE, SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST
cabin, Mile High Vista, Jackass Rock, Arch Rock, Mammoth Pool, Clover Meadow, Portuguese Creek, the Balls, Globe Rock, Beasore Meadows, Cold Springs Summit, Fresno Dome, Kelty Meadow, Soquel Meadow and the Nelder Grove of Giant Sequoias may be found on the Scenic Byway map printed in this guide. Campgrounds and picnic areas along the Byway are allotted on a first-come basis, with fees charged at some campsites. Check in with the campground host where appropriate, and don’t forget to bring your fishing gear. On the Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway you will experience the Sierra Nevada in a unique way. Known as the Hidden Heart of the Sierra, the region will truly steal your heart as you engage in this educational and informative adventure. For more information and a complete guide to the Byway, contact the Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway Association, P.O. Box 764, North Fork, CA 93643-0764, (559) 877-7779 or the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau at (559) 683-4636.
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
39
Wonders of the world Yosemite is a hiker’s paradise with trails for all ages and levels of ability. There are also wheelchair accessible trails. Among the most popular valley trails is Vernal Fall (an easy trail leads to a footbridge with stellar views or an arduous hike leads to the top where the powerful decent of water can be seen from its origin). Along the trail - in the spring especially - the mist of the fall makes for a spectacular and wet hike unlike any other. Other hikes, like the Panoramic Trail, offer breathtaking vistas all along the way and the trail is noted as one of the best ways to see the valley. 40
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Hikes to outlying areas Hetch Hetchy, Tuolumne Meadows, Mariposa and Wawona lead explorers beyond the throngs of visitors. In the Mariposa Grove, the giant sequoias tower. In Tuolumne Meadows, join part of the John Muir Trail. In Hetch Hetchy, explore the peaceful lands of the Miwok tribes. PHOTO: NANCY ROBBINSŠ - OLMSTEAD PANORAMA - YOSEMITE N.P (559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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THE HOMESTEAD COTTAGES
Big Creek Inn Private Romantic Peaceful
Bed & Breakfast
“Secluded on 160 acres of woodland, this off-the-beaten-path establishment is a gem.” ~Frommers Travel Guide The Homestead Cottages are immaculate and offer comfortable living rooms with fireplaces, romantic bedrooms, spacious bathrooms and inviting country kitchens stocked daily with a continental breakfast. Perfect for your Yosemite getaway
2 miles from Yosemite’s South Entrance • Fireplaces • TV – DVD – VCR – CD • Balconies • Outdoor Hot Tub • Free Wireless Internet • Full-size Private Baths
Satellite TV and Radio, Internet Connection, Outdoor BBQ, Daily Maid Service, Non-Smoking, Close to Golf, Hiking and Restaurants
1221 Highway 41, Fish Camp, CA
559-683-0495
(559) 641-2828 www.bigcreekinn.com
homesteadcottages.com
WILLIAMS GALLERY WEST FINE ART & FOLK ART GUDMUNDSEN GALLERY
TIMBERLINE GALLERY
GalWest.com 559-683-5551
Brian Kincade
STELLAR GALLERY : HOME OFFICE OF
TimberlineArtGallery.com 559-683-3345
SIERRA ART TRAILS OPEN STUDIO TOUR
OCT. 3RD & 4TH 2009
NationalParksArt.com 559-683-3345
40982 HWY 41, OAKHURST, CA 93644 • YOSEMITEGATEWAYGALLERYROW.COM 42
SierraArtTrails.org 559-658-8844
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Nature’s canvas Yosemite is one of the most photographed locations in the world and once you’ve visited you’ll understand why. In fact, try and stop yourself from clicking away. A grand entrance into the park displays El Capitan and Half Dome, so majestic you’ll think it must be a painted backdrop. A mecca for artists, Yosemite and the Sierra beckon the creative spirit. Artists from around the world come to capture nature’s beauty in watercolor, acrylic, oil, sculpture, and photography. It’s also a great place to see the original works of Ansel Adams in the park’s village or the works of locals at galleries along the way. PHOTOS: NANCY ROBBINS© - PAINTER AT TUNNEL - YOSEMITE N.P. PAUL MULLINS© - SUNSET - LOST LAKE, SAN JOAQUIN RIVER
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
43
An active life Step outside in Madera County and the opportunities for living the sporting life are all around you in every season. Whether you get a kick out of a slow and careful climb up a sheer rock face, finding the tiniest crevice to pull you up the next few inches or you find your joy hitting a little white ball toward a well manicured bit of green lawn, we have it all. We even have pétanque, a French game that’s sort of like horseshoes played with balls. We have scenic golf courses that spread across the flatlands in lushly designed splendor and courses that follow hills and are bordered by oak or pine forests. The hazards on those links include the occasional deer or flock of wild turkeys. We have hiking and walking trails to rival any in the world. Some are above the tree line and you’d better be in excellent shape to even look for the trailhead. Some follow meandering creeks under shady trees. For the action attraction, you might choose to start with the county’s motocross, dirt and mountain bike and skateboard parks. But if you're a serious adrenaline addict, head for the hills. Snowmobiling and ATV areas are designated through areas that will take your breath away if the speeding vehicles don’t. They don’t sell thousands of “go climb a rock” T-shirts in the county for nothing. You can brag about topping Half Dome in Yosemite
PHOTOS: DEBRA SUTHERLAND© - KAYAKER - TENAYA LAKE BARBARA EZELL© - FISHING - LITTLE CHIQUITO 44
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
or just be pleased about scrambling up a granite outcrop next to your campground. Our lakes and rivers are more playgrounds for the outdoor enthusiast. Fishing? Check. Rafting, inner tubing, canoeing? Check. Power boating? You betcha. World-class bicycle and motorcycle rallies swoop up the hills and into the curves along deep ravines and soaring cliffs. And when winter comes, things get even more aerobic. Skiers flock to the Sierra through Madera County for good reason. The Badger Pass Ski Area offers all the thrills of resorts the world around. Besides skiing, of course, there’s snowboarding. When you’re grabbing air and kicking up white powder, you’re really living. Ice rinks can satisfy the Kristi Yamaguchi wannabes or the ankle bender who holds on to the rail. Most of our resorts have sledding hills that will thrill the kids, who slide and giggle and can’t get enough of it. For the more intrepid adult, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing will burn calories and muscles. The glory of these ways of traveling over snow is the quiet – except for the huffing and puffing. You can hear every plop of snow falling from a bough or the wind singing its winter song to the pines. But no matter when you come or what you come for, don’t forget your water and your sunscreen. PHOTOS: BARBARA EZELL© - GRIZZLY CENTURY RIDE KARL BRALICH© - CATHEDRALS FROM EL CAPITAN - YOSEMITE N.P.
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Best Rest Stop in the Yosemite Area!
YOSEMITE GATEWAY INN Mountain Setting Spa • Exercise Room High-Speed Internet Phones • HBO • Outdoor Pool • Family Units Indoor Pool.
15 MILES FROM YOSEMITE’S SOUTH ENTRANCE
On site restaurant serves: Hearty Breakfasts & Mouth Watering Dinner Full Service Bar
40530 HWY. 41 • OAKHURST, CALIFORNIA • yosemitegatewayinn.com The Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn is nestled among the live oak, high on a hill with beautiful mountain views. Its parklike setting is secluded, quiet and peaceful, with a barbecue area and a children’s playground. 122 units, many equipped with refrigerators and microwaves. Two room family units will sleep six. All rooms have high-speed Internet access.
559-683-2378
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Call for Reservations
1-800-545-5462
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Close to nature A dramatic landscape ruled by untamed wildlife – the region is a remarkable, but delicate ecosystem. Breach of that ecological boundary is most evidenced by humanized animals, driven by hunger for human food. As a guest, explore the unfettered land and its treasures, regarding the flora and fauna with care. Do not feed wildlife, as taste for human food can lead to aggression. A fed bear is a dead bear, as they say. Make sure not to leave food or scented items in vehicles or tents. Always use bear-proof containers. Keep your distance and do not try to pet wild animals. Although they appear cute and cuddly, wild animals can be dangerous and defensive. Obey posted speed limits and watch for signs of wildlife. Neither an accident nor ticket make saving a few minutes worth your while. You can read more about proper behavior around wildlife http://www.yosemite.ca.us/faq/1.html#rules PHOTOS: DONN HOYER© - HIGH COUNTRY POND IN SPRINGTIME - TIOGA PASS RONN HENDERSHOTT© - MARMOT - YOSEMITE N.P. NANCY ROBBINS© - COYOTE - YOSEMITE VALLEY (559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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Spring Spring comes earlier to the agricultural, flatter parts of Madera County than it does to the foothills and mountains. That means we can enjoy those green days of spring that much longer. Down in the wine region, tender tendrils of vines start to spread out, trees in the fruit orchards burst into blossoms and drifts of the palest petals swirl in warming breezes. On the feet of the mighty Sierra, boulder-strewn hills are covered with soft, green velvet grasses and patches of brilliant yellow, orange, purple and white wildflowers. As you climb up the hills, you’ll see vast swaths of open land dotted by awaking oaks. This is cattle country, and you’ll see them frolicking, happy to be alive in the sun. Up in the mountains, the days are warm but the nights are still crisp enough to snuggle with a fire until late spring. The days are brilliant and the nights full of stars that play peekaboo behind towering pines as you stroll along. At the high altitudes, alpine lakes reflect crystalline snow on peaks of purple mountains while delicate flowers around them bask in the sun. PHOTOS: FRANKA GABLER© - POPPY - WAWONA
48
NANCY ROBBINS© - TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Summer If you like it hot, you’ve come to the right place. As the locals say, “It’s good for the crops.” Long days of summer come upon us with brightening skies, then a flash of gold rising above the Sierra summit. The grapes swell and sweeten, fruit and nuts fulfill their destiny in the famously reliable sun. Down in the valley, the locals know to arrange early tee times for their golf games and arrive at the tennis courts well before noon. And why not? That gives them the rest of the day to pursue slower, indoor, air-conditioned pleasures. Movies, long, relaxed lunches, an art gallery or a museum may call you. Our county brims with fascinating curiosity shops and antique emporiums where the accent is often on rural treasures. Or you may want to head for one of our lakes for a day of floating, boating or skiing. Up in Eastern Madera County, Bass Lake beckons. It is a perfect mountain lake. It meanders a bit and tall trees hug the water’s edge. Snug coves with sandy beaches will invite you to linger, perhaps long enough to watch as the lowering sun turns water to pewter, then to streaks of brilliant reds, yellows and oranges before the sky goes to purple and the lake quiets down for the night. We have streams to hike beside and trails to follow to secluded glens where a nap would seem almost mandatory. Summer can last into October so the season is a long one. PHOTOS: BARBARA EZELL© - WAWONA POOLS CHRISTOPHE TESTI© - YOSEMITE FALLS - YOSEMITE N.P. SUSANNE UPDIKE-WAITE© - SUNSET - COARSEGOLD
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
49
Fall Like spring, falls comes to Madera County progressively. When there’s a certain nip in the air in the mountains, the valley is assessing the bounty that will come with harvest. And in a wine-growing region, harvest means crushing time. The grapes give up their juice in great torrents or – because many of our wineries are small operations – trickles, to be caressed by the winemaker who knows the magic of his profession. By fall, the rolling hills, so impossibly green in spring, have become rich, burnished tan. The land and the people bask in these golden days. One more day on the river, another weekend at the lake. One last goodbye to the high passes of the Sierra. Up in the foothills, the apple growers are offering fruit so fresh, so juicy and crisp, you’ll think you’re in Paradise again – and don’t forget the cider. Golden leaves drift on lazy streams, wild turkeys strut and hold up traffic on twisting, shaded lanes. An early rain brings out the fragrance of the pines and late-blooming garden flowers. The days shorten, but the light seems to get longer, making all of nature glow at sunrise and sunset. The daytime skies take on a particular blue and at night, the heavens seem closer as the moon glides through its cycles – the hunter moon, the harvest moon and always, the lover’s moon. PHOTO: PAUL MULLINS© - FALL OAK - COOK’S MEADOW, YOSEMITE N.P. 50
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Winter When the temperatures descend, people in droves ascend to the Sierra. The valley people call it “going to the snow.” They load up the car with a change of clothes in case they get too wet, pack lunches of hearty soups, hot chocolate and cookies and get out the sleds and even trash can lids for a little roadside fun. At the end of the day, tired and refreshed, they head home. But up in the mountains of Madera County, the locals are keeping their wood bins full. The heady aroma of well-cured oak and fruitwood drifts from chimneys. The homey eateries of the county’s towns are selling out of hot beef sandwiches and warm apple pies. The towns come alight with community Christmas trees and all the accompanying festivities – a town gathering, carols, warm food shared with visitors and locals alike. Then pink cheeks and bright eyes rest as the countdown begins; the oohs and ahhs reverberate as the switch is flipped and the colorful lights blaze forth, proclaiming a season of good thoughts and goodwill. Down-home pancake breakfasts often have a visit from Santa – and sometimes Smokey Bear, too. PHOTOS: DOUG SCOTT© - YOSEMITE FALLS IN WINTER, YOSEMITE N.P. NANCY ROBBINS© - SNOWSHOEING BADGER PASS DONN HOYER© - FAMILY SNOW FUN YOSEMITE “SNOW PLAY AREA” NANCY ROBBINS© - BADGER LODGE - BADGER PASS
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
Way up, snowmobiles are following trails through the evergreens, skiers are swooshing downhill and snowshoers are discovering the stillness and stark loveliness of the back country.
51
YOSEM I TE/ S I E R R A
Planning a wedding? When you want more than just a room. APPLE BLOSSOM INN 559-642-2001 • appleblossombb.com
A BED OF ROSES
559-642-6975 • abedofrosesbandb.com
A wedding planning kit is available from the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau by calling (559) 683-4636, or online at YosemiteThisYear.com. A special-use permit is required for weddings held anywhere in Yosemite National Park and must be booked 13 months in advance.
A HAVEN OF REST
559-642-2617 • havenofrestbnb.com
HOMESTEAD COTTAGES 559-683-0495 • homesteadcottages.com
NATURE’S INN
559-641-2444 •naturesinnbnb.com
PARADISE SPRINGS
559-642-2613 • paradisespringsmountain.com
PINE ROSE INN
559-642-2800 • pineroseinn.com
RAVENSBROOK
559-683-4792 • ravensbrook-yosemite.com
SIERRA MOUNTAIN LODGE 559-683-7673 • sierramountainlodge.com
VULTURE’S VIEW
559-683-8470 • yosemitevulturesviewbandb.com
(559) 642-6105 • (800) 730-9513 yosemitebnblodging.com
52
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Picture-perfect weddings For the most cherished day of your life, what could accentuate your vows more beautifully than a backdrop of cascading waterfalls, a cathedral of granite or the glorious outdoors? The Mountain Area makes for a uniquely stunning event with venues ranging from quaint churches, to lush golf courses, to nature at its purest, any time of the year. In Yosemite, the iconic chapel - which stands as the oldest structure in the park with a history of weddings dating back to June of 1979 - offers a unique combination of tradition and grandeur with Yosemite Fall just outside the stained-glass windows and Bridalveil Fall just down the road. In Oakhurst and surrounding areas, a range of inns and resorts suit any event or style. Bass Lake offers waterfront ceremonies as a one-stop venue. Throughout the Mountain Area, wedding vendors - from caterers to planners to expert cake bakers - have your event covered. Not ready to tie the knot? For the perfect romantic getaway that will take her breath away, take advantage of the plethora of options from quaint bed and breakfasts to secluded inns or a romantic spa; the Mountain Area has it all. During your stay, sample area wines, peruse local art galleries, enjoy a day of antiquing or museum-hopping, a leisurely paddle on one of the areas many lakes, picnic in the park, dine out at one of the many romantic restaurants or simply stroll hand in hand along a lush forest trail. Whether you’re honeymooning or rekindling an old flame, romance is in the mountain air. PHOTOS: NANCY ROBBINS© - YOSEMITE CHAPEL - YOSEMITE N.P. NANCY ROBBINS© - WEDDING - GLACIER POINT, YOSEMITE N.P.
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
53
Yosemite’s Southern Gateway Hotel • 40644 Highway 41 • • • • • •
Free High Speed Internet Access Free USA Today newspaper Complimentary continental breakfast Outdoor heated pool & spa (seasonal) Sauna and fitness center
• • • •
In-room refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, ironing unit and hair dryer In-room first run movies and entertainment Business Center Fresh coffee, popcorn and fruit
• • • • •
Satellite TV with free ShowTime Guest laundry Free local phone calls Special-assist rooms Restaurant adjacent
800-222-2244 • shiloinns.com 54
Yosemite sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Hide and go seek Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with global positioning system devices (GPS). The goal is to locate hidden geocaches, or containers with a variety of content, buried in the outdoors, and then share your experiences online. Geocaching typically draws from all age groups with an interest in the environment. PHOTOS: PAUL MULLINS© - BURNING BUSH - HITE COVE TRAIL, SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST NANCY ROBBINS© - RAINBOW - HALF DOME
To participate in the hunt, visit http://www.geocaching.com
1. Register for a free account. 2. Click “Hide & Seek a Cache.” 3. Enter your postal code and click “search.” 4. Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name. 5. Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS unit. 6. Use your GPS unit to assist you in finding the hidden geocache. 7. Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location. 8. Share your geocaching stories and photos online.
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
55
OAKHURST LODGE
only 15 miles from Yosemite
Relaxing Comfortable Affordable
60 Non-Smoking Pet-Free Double Queen Rooms with In-room Mr. Coffee, Cable TV, Guest Pool, Picnic Area, Laundry and Free Internet Member: C.L.I.A., A.H.H.A, Y.S.V.B
40302 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst
Online Reservations at www.oakhurstlodge.com
559-683-4417 or 800-OKLODGE
Serving the Sierra Mountain Communities
Whether you’re looking at retirement, seizing a chance to follow your dreams, or want to trade city life for a new one in our beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains, contact me.
Award-winning REALTOR® Top Producer and Quality Recipient
(559) 658-8484
www.MelissaBuller.com - melissa@sti.net See me at the Talking Bear Corner of Hwy 41 & Rd 426, Oakhurst, California 56
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Rainbow markers Welcome, you’ve just entered the land of waterfalls. Get out your camera and take the time to enjoy not only the region’s best, but some of the world’s best. At Yosemite, Vernal, Bridalveil, Nevada, Sentinel are just a few of the many that draw tourists from afar. Devil’s Postpile National Monument Rainbow and Lower Rainbow Falls, Sotcher, and Minarets provide picture-perfect destinations for hikers. Bass Lake, Angel Falls and Devil’s Slide provide a splash of recreation. And in North Fork, Chiquito, Camino and Rock Creek Falls make up some of the most beautiful of the area’s hidden treasures. Springtime is the best time of year to visit these rushing slides, but in many cases prepare to get wet, if not a little misted. And don’t forget to look for the rainbows many create! PHOTOS: FRANKA GABLER© - MIST TRAIL - YOSEMITE N.P. CHRISTOPHE TESTI© - HIKING TO VERNAL FALL - MIST TRAIL, YOSEMITE N.P. (559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
57
Stay for awhile Settle down for the evening after a day of wonder. Whether you tent it, roll along in an RV, rent a cabin, loaf at a bed & breakfast or lie in the lap of luxury at a resort – we’ve got it all. Whether you're on a bed of pine needles or plush down feathers, nothing spells relaxation like sleeping with the crisp mountain air outside – it's rest for both body and soul. But, the area’s lodging choices don’t stop there. Many provide breakfast, spas, ranger talks. Others, offer event planning. From these base camps you can tailor-make your experience.
B&B
AD ON PAGE #
TRAVEL AGENT COMMISSIONS
SUMMER RATES ($)
WINTER RATES ($)
BREAKFASTFULL/CONTINENTAL
HOT TUB/ SPA
INTERNET ACCESS
PRIVATE BATHS
NON-SMOKING
PETS ALLOWED
MICROWAVE OR KITCHENETTE
DISABILITY ACCESSIBLE
appleblossombb.com • (559)642-2001, (888)687-4281 44606 Silver Spur Trail, Ahwahnee, CA 93601 SIERRA MOUNTAIN LODGE BED & BREAKFAST sierramountainlodge.com • (559)683-7673, fax (559)641-2420 45046 Fort Nip Trail, Ahwahnee, CA 93601 THE HOMESTEAD homesteadcottages.com • (559)683-0495 fax (559)683-8165 41110 Road 600, Ahwahnee, CA 93601
TELEVISION
APPLE BLOSSOM INN BED & BREAKFAST
IN-ROOM PHONE
AHWAHNEE
SWIMMING POOL
• Some units * In common
# OF UNITS
• All units
PHOTO: CSILLA ENYEDY SCHULCZ© DOGWOODS IN MAY - YOSEMITE VALLEY
4 units
•
6 units
•
•
• • •
• C 120-199 135-249
52
6 units
•
•
• • •
• C 115-299 145-374 •
42 52
•
• • • • F 110-200 135-240 •
52
BASS LAKE
RESORT
CABIN / HOME
BASS LAKE REALTY
basslakerealty.com • (559)642-3600, fax (559)642-2771 P.O. Box 349, Bass Lake, CA 93604 BASS LAKE VACATION RENTALS basslakereservations.com • (559)642-2211 P.O. Box 507, Bass Lake, CA 93604 CENTURY 21 DITTON REALTY AT BASS LAKE basslakevacations.com • (559)642-2288, fax (559)642-3399 P.O. Box 470, Bass Lake, CA 93604 THE FORKS RESORT theforksresort.com • (559)642-3737 39150 Road 222, Bass Lake, CA 93604 MILLER’S LANDING millerslanding.com • (559)642-3633, fax (559)642-2869 37976 Road 222, Wishon, CA 93669 THE PINES RESORT basslake.com • (559)642-3121, (800)350-7463, fax (559)692-8887 P.O. Box 109/54432 Road 432, Bass Lake, CA 93604
95 • units • 3 units
•
• •
• •
• •
•
•
call for details and prices
130-600 700-6000 per night per week 145-255 195-325 • per night per night
26
85-800 600-6600 per day per week
60
13 units
•
• • • • •
•
Closed
145-275
26
13 units
•
• • •
•
50-280
50-300
24
•
108 • • • • • • • • • • units
109-269 189-389 •
58
CHOWCHILLA INN
DAYS INN
daysinn.com • (559)665-4821, fax (559)665-1994 220 E. Robertson Blvd, Chowchilla, CA 93610 HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL & SUITES holidayinnexpress.com • (559)665-3300, fax (559)665-5597 309 Prosperity Blvd, Chowchilla, CA 93610
30 • • • • • • • • units
• C
59-89
59-89
•
63 • • • • • • • • • • F units
84-159
84-159
•
2 units
95-125
110-160 •
52
99-179
119-209
19
• • • • F 129-179 199-259
42
RESORT
B&B
COARSEGOLD
RAVENSBROOK BED & BREAKFAST
ravensbrook-yosemite.com • (559)683-4792 37621 Ravensbrook Way, Coarsegold, CA 93614 CHUKCHANSI GOLD RESORT & CASINO chukchansigold.com • (866)7 WIN WIN or (559)692-5200, fax (559)692-5230 711 Lucky Lane, Coarsegold, CA 93614
• • • • • • • • • F
402 • • • • units
• • • •
FISH CAMP B&B
BIG CREEK INN BED & BREAKFAST
bigcreekinn.com • (559)641-2828 1221 Hwy 41, Fish Camp, CA 93623 TIN LIZZIE INN B&B AND MODEL T tinlizzieinn.com - (559)641-7731, fax (559)641-7731 7730 Laurel Way, Fish Camp 93623
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
3 units
•
2 units
• •
*
• • • • F
Closed
250-400 59
Enjoy Year-Round Vacations At Bass Lake
Bass Lake Investment Properties Own A Lake-Front Home Four-Season Vacation Rentals Sales (559) 642-2299 www.Century21Ditton Realty.com Vacation Rentals (559) 642-2288 www.BassLakeVacations.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALICIA ORDAHL
The Mountain Area’s #1 Real Estate Company!!
INN / MOTEL/ HOTEL CABIN
AD ON PAGE #
sugarpineatyosemite.com • (559)642-6975 1243 Hwy 41, Fish Camp, CA 93623
TRAVEL AGENT COMMISSIONS
SUGAR PINE AT YOSEMITE
SUMMER RATES ($)
owlsnestlodging.com • (559)683-3484 1237 Hwy 41, Fish Camp, CA 93623
WINTER RATES ($)
OWL’S NEST LODGING
BREAKFASTFULL/CONTINENTAL
loggersretreat.com - (626)798-1094 Off Hwy 41 near Fish Camp
HOT TUB/ SPA
LOGGER’S RETREAT
INTERNET ACCESS
26 • • • units
•
• • • • C • • • •
1122 Hwy 41, Fish Camp, CA 93623
whitechiefmtnlodge.com - (559)683-5444, fax (559)683-2615 7776 White Chief Mountain Lodge Rd, Fish Camp, CA 93623
PRIVATE BATHS
53 • • • • • • • • • • C 109-219 199-279 • units
TENAYA LODGE AT YOSEMITE resort Hotel/Conference & Wedding Facility 244 tenayalodge.com - (888)514-2167, (559)683-6555, fax (559)683-6147 • • • • • units WHITE CHIEF MOUNTAIN LODGE
NON-SMOKING
narrowgaugeinn.com • (888)644-9050, (559)683-7720, fax (559)683-2139 48571 Hwy 41, Fish Camp, CA 93623
PETS ALLOWED
NARROW GAUGE INN
MICROWAVE OR KITCHENETTE
appletreeinn-yosemite.com • (888)683-5111, (559)683-5111, fax (559)642-6280 1110 Hwy 41, Fish Camp, CA 93623
DISABILITY ACCESSIBLE
APPLE TREE INN AT YOSEMITE
TELEVISION
FISH CAMP
IN-ROOM PHONE
• some units * in common
# OF UNITS
• all units
PHOTO: JEFF GRANDY© CHOWCHILLA RIVER IN SPRING
SWIMMING POOL
Lodging
140 -350 •
64
C 129-260 245-379 • F
62
79-119
25 units
•
1 unit
• • • • • • • • •
200-350 300-450
2 units
•
• • •
125-150 125-150
1 unit
• • •
• • •
• • •
• F
•
Closed
110-220 •
150-300 150-300
MADERA
DAYS INN
INN / MOTEL/ HOTEL
(559)674-8817, fax (559)675-9188 25327 Avenue 16, Madera, CA 93637
HAMPTON INN & SUITES HOTEL
www.hamptonInn.com - (559)661-0910, Fax (559)661-0929 3254 Airport Drive, Madera, CA 93637
MOTEL 6
motel6.com • (559)675-8697, fax (559)662-8938 22683 Avenue 18½, Madera, CA 93637
SUPER 8 MOTEL
super8.com • (559)661-1131, fax (559)661-0224 1855 West Cleveland, Madera, CA 93637
49 • • • • • • • • units
• C
60-80
60-80
• • • • • C
89-119
89-119
40 • • • • • • • • • • units
49-75
55-99
80 • • • • • • • • units
• C
69-79
69-79
C
95-250
145-300
• •
50
50
• • • • F
99
78 • • • • units
•
MOTEL
B&B
NORTH FORK
LYN MAR POND GUEST RANCH
lynmarpondranch.com • ph/fax (559)877-7260 60072 Mammoth Pool Rd, North Fork, CA 93643
SOUTH FORK MOTEL
(559)877-2237, fax (559)877-7122 57714 Road 225, P.O. Box 745, North Fork, CA 93643
2 units
•
• • • •
4 units
• •
•
22
OAKHURST
A BED OF ROSES BED & BREAKFAST abedofrosesbandb.com • (559)642-6975 43547 Whispering Pines Dr, Oakhurst, CA 93644
A HAVEN OF REST BED & BREAKFAST
havenofrestbnb.com - (559)642-2617 or (559)779-1445 39681 Pine Ridge Rd, Oakhurst, CA 93644
CHATEAU DU SUREAU
chateausureau.com • (559)683-6860, fax (559)683-0800 48688 Victoria Lane, Oakhurst, CA 93644
B&B
HOUNDS TOOTH INN
houndstoothinn.com • (888)642-6610, (559)642-6600, fax (559)658-2946 42071 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
OAK COTTAGE BED & BREAKFAST
oakcottagebandb.com • (559)683-8988, fax (559)683-8948 50160 Golden Horse Dr, Oakhurst, CA 93644
THE PINE ROSE INN BED & BREAKFAST
pineroseinn.com • (559)642-2800, (866)642-2800, fax (559)658-6152 41703 Road 222, Oakhurst, CA 93644
YOSEMITE SIERRA VIEW BED & BREAKFAST
yosemitesierraviewbandb.com • (559)683-7650, fax (559)683-7650 39060 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
YOSEMITE VULTURE’S VIEW
yosemitevulturesviewbandb.com • (559)683-8470 39045 John West Rd, Oakhurst, CA 93644 (559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
4 • • units 1 unit
•
*
•
• • • •
12 • • • • • units
• •
13 units
• • •
3 • • • • units
F
158
125-175 • 158
52
• F 385-585 385-585 •
• • • •
F
95-225
95-225
•
• • •
F
145
145
•
*
11 units
•
3 units
• • • • • • • • • F 150-425 200-425
3 units
•
• • • • • • • F
95-169
110-179 •
• • • • • • C 100-145 120-165
52
9
52
52
61
el capitan meadow. n37 43' 22" w119 38' 11"
national park
tours & activities i (209) 372-4fun
lodging reservations i (801) 559-4877
Yosemitepark.com
Hospitality by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, an official concessioner of the National Park Service.
A destination as beautiful as the journey.
From family activities and fun to full-service conference services for meetings, weddings, reunions and more, Tenaya Lodge offers Four-Diamond luxury every season of the year.
888-322-5495 • www.TenayaLodge.com
Hospitality by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts Š 2008 DNC Parks & Resorts at Tenaya Lodge, Inc.
INN / MOTEL / HOTEL CABIN / HOME
PARADISE SPRINGS
paradisespringsmountain.com - (559)642-2613 52770 Road 632, Oakhurst, CA 93644
YOSEMITE SKYWAY
yosemiteskyway.com - (888)759-9293, (559)683-5244 43116, 43124, 43132 W. Sugar Pine Dr, Oakhurst, CA 93644
YOSEMITEVACATION.COM
RESORT
yosemitevacation.com - (559)683-8425 41253 Pamela Place, Oakhurst, CA 93644
SIERRA SKY RANCH RESORT
sierraskyranch.com • (559)683-8040, fax (559)658-7484 50552 Road 632, Oakhurst, CA 93644
117 • • • • • • • • • • C units
50-70
43 • • • • units
• • •
• C
60 • • • • units
• • •
AD ON PAGE #
queensinn.com - (559)683-4354, fax (559)683-4334 41139 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
58-109
TRAVEL AGENT COMMISSIONS
QUEEN’S INN BY THE RIVER
122 • • • • • • • • • • units
SUMMER RATES ($)
shiloinns.com • (559)683-3555, fax (559)683-3386 40644 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
WINTER RATES ($)
SHILO INN SUITES
BREAKFASTFULL/CONTINENTAL
oakhurstlodge.com • (800)OKlodge, (559)683-4417 40302 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
HOT TUB/ SPA
OAKHURST LODGE
INTERNET ACCESS
daysinn.com/hotel/04245 • (877)642-2525, (559)642-2525, fax (559)658-8481 40662 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
PRIVATE BATHS
DAYS INN
NON-SMOKING
choicehotels.com • (800)4-CHOICE, (559)683-8282, fax (559)658-7030 40489 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
PETS ALLOWED
COMFORT INN YOSEMITE AREA
MICROWAVE OR KITCHENETTE
yosemitegatewayinn.com • (800)545-5462, (559)683-2378, fax (559)683-3813 40530 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
DISABILITY ACCESSIBLE
BEST WESTERN YOSEMITE GATEWAY INN
TELEVISION
OAKHURST
IN-ROOM PHONE
• some units * in common
# OF UNITS
• all units
SWIMMING POOL
Lodging
PHOTO: BARBARA EZELL© - NELDER GROVE
101-169 •
46
•
14
59-129
129-209 •
6
• C
55-75
90-120
•
56
80 • • • • • • • • • • C units
70+
159+
•
54
89-149
149-199
8 units
• • • •
• • •
C
129
5 • • units
•
3 units
•
• • • • •
165
215
1 unit
• •
• • •
139+
159+
121+
145+
• • •
14
• C 150-1300 175-1750 •
21 • • units
• •
• •
• F
104 • units
•
• •
F
52 54
• 64
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK HOTEL
AND NEIGHBORING AREAS
WAWONA HOTEL
yosemitepark.com • (209)375-6556, fax (209)375-6601 Yosemite National Park
DNC PARKS & RESORTS AT YOSEMITE ACCOMMODATIONS
call for details and prices
yosemitepark.com • (801)559-5000 Reservation Service
THE REDWOODS IN YOSEMITE Year-round Vacation Home rentals redwoodsinyosemite.com (888)225-6666, fax (209)375-6400
CABIN / COTTAGE / HOME
STAY IN YOSEMITE VACATION RENTALS
stayinyosemite.com • (559)683-6390, Fax (559)683-6390 Yosemite Parkway, Yosemite, CA 95389
THE YOSEMITE BUG RUSTIC MOUNTAIN RESORT yosemitebug.com • (209)966-6666, fax (209)966-6667 6979 Hwy 140, Midpines, CA 95345
YOSEMITE’S FOUR SEASONS VACATION RENTALS yosemitelodging.com • (209)372-9000, fax (209)372-8800 7519 Henness Circle, Yosemite, CA 95389
YOSEMITE’S SCENIC WONDERS VACATION RENTALS scenicwonders.com • (888)YOSEMITE (888)967-3648 7403 Yosemite Park Way, Yosemite, CA 95389
YOSEMITEVACATION.COM
yosemitevacation.com - (559)683-8425 7430 Henness Ridge Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
YOSEMITE WEST COTTAGES RESORT
yosemitewestreservations.com • (559)642-2211 P.O. Box 36, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
YOSEMITE PINES RV RESORT & FAMILY LODGING yosemitepinesrv.com - (209)962-7690, fax (209)962-4378 20450 Old Highway 120, Groveland, CA 95321
128-179 134-196
125 units
• • • • • • • • •
143-534 199-746 •
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ASSOCIATIONS YOSEMITE SIERRA BED & BREAKFAST ASSOCIATION yosemitebnblodging.com • (800)740-9513, (559)642-6105
(559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
call for details and prices
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Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau - (559) 683-4636
Eateries/Dining
PHOTO: ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ PHILDATE
Come one, come all, to where down-home country cooking meets elegant five-star cuisine. No matter your taste, your budget or your time, the region is equipped to satisfy your hunger. We’ve got diners and drive-ins, steak ‘n potatoes and gourmet too. Fish? Are you kidding? Of course. Even five courses. aHWaHNee
Bill’s 19th Hole Hitching Post Sports Bar and Grill Family Restaurant .............. (559)683-7917 The River Creek Café............................. (559)683-5600
Bass LaKe Casa Castillo’s Mexican Restaurant ........(559)683-2272 Ducey’s on the Lake ................................(559)642-3121 The Forks Resort Restaurant .................. (559)642-3737 Miller’s Landing Resort Restaurant .............................................(559)642-3633
CHoWCHiLLa Coffee Cats............................................ (559)665-3135 Farnesi’s Steakhouse..............................(559)665-2258 McDonald’s Restaurant ..........................(559)665-7305 Pedro’s Place .........................................(559)665-3552 Perko’s Café.......................................... (559)665-2090 Pizza Factory ........................................ (559)665-4000 Tea Garden Restaurant............................(559)665-1141
oaKHurst Branding Iron at Sierra Sky Ranch ......... (559)658-2644 Carl’s Jr................................................. (559)658-8878 Casa Vallarta Mexican Restaurant......... (559)683-4606 Castillo’s Mexican Food ........................ (559)683-8000 Cool Bean, The (coffee & espresso) ........(559)683-7575 Crab Cakes Restaurant........................... (559)641-7667 DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant....................(559)641-5588 El Cid Mexican Cuisine .......................... (559)683-6668 Erna’s Elderberry House ........................(559)683-6800 Five Star Chinese Restaurant ..................(559)641-5888 Jack in the Box .......................................(559)658-6061 Jade Gazebo Chinese Restaurant .......... (559)683-8600 Jamba Juice ...........................................(559)658-8555 Katie’s Country Kitchen..........................(559)683-8418 Kentucky Fried Chicken ..........................(559)683-3545 Kyoto Kafe .............................................(559)692-2400 McDonald’s Restaurant ......................... (559)683-3344 Me-N-Ed’s Pizza ....................................(559)642-2929
Mountain House Restaurant .................. (559)683-5191 Oka Japanese Restaurant ..................... (559)642-4850 Ol’ Kettle Restaurant..............................(559)683-7505 Old Mexico Taqueria ..............................(559)683-2777 Pete’s Place ...........................................(559)683-0772 Pizza Factory .........................................(559)683-2700 Quizno’s ................................................(559)658-5442 Round Table Pizza.................................. (559)683-7472 Starbucks Coffee....................................(559)658-8101 Subway Sandwiches...............................(559)683-3066 Sweetwater Steakhouse .........................(559)658-5252 Taco Bell ................................................(559)683-8226 Taste of China ....................................... (559) 658-7618 Three Sisters Café .................................. (559)642-2253 Todd’s Cookhouse BBQ ......................... (559)642-4900 Yosemite Coffee Roasting ......................(559)683-8815 Yosemite Gateway Inn Restaurant ..........(559)683-2378 Yosemite Tri-Tip Express .........................(559)683-6353
CoarseGoLD Alfonso’s Hideaway Mexican Restaurant .............................................(559)642-6656 Blue Heron............................................ (559)658-6969 Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino ......... (866)794-6946 Rose’s Frosty .........................................(559)683-5022 Gold Mine Pizza.................................... (559)683-4653 Grizzley Bear Restaurant ........................(559)641-2909 Subway Sandwiches...............................(559)658-2500 Zanders Coffee ...................................... (559)642-2180
FisH CamP Narrow Gauge Inn Restaurant............... (559)683-6446 Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite ......................(559)683-6555 White Chief Mountain Lodge Restaurant ............................................ (559)683-5444
maDera Madera Asian Buffet ............................. (559)675-3999 DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant .................... (559)674-2435 Edgar’s Italian Restaurant ......................(559)661-0306 Farnesi’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge .....................................(559)673-9164 International House of Pancakes ............(559)675-5179 Las Brisas Del Mar ................................. (559)674-4510 Long John Silver’s Seafood Shoppe ........(559)674-0606 Madera Valley Inn Coffee Shop ............. (559)664-0100 The Vineyard..........................................(559)674-0923 Win Chinese Gourmet ............................(559)673-2919
NortH ForK Buckhorn Restaurant and Saloon ...........(559)877-8700 La Cabaña ..............................................(559)877-3311 Pizza Factory ......................................... (559)877-7777 (559) 683-4636 - YosemitetHisYear.Com
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(Front Cover) Nancy Robbins© - A lunar rainbow (also known as a moonbow, lunar bow or white rainbow) is a rainbow produced by the moon rather than the sun. The light in a lunar rainbow is usually too faint for human eyes. As a result, they generally appear to be white to the visual observer. However, in long exposure photographs such as the cover, the full spectrum of colors in the bow will appear.
2009 Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved. Publisher: Sierra Star® a McClatchy Company® Writers: Elizabeth Gabriel and Jill Brackett-Coppler; Design and layout Lisa Baker. Our thanks to all of the photographers who submitted photos for this publication: Rikki Alley, rikkialley.com, rikki@ rikkialley.com, 209-617-5095; Karl Bralich, peaklightimages.com, peaklight@newsguy.com, 209-375-6469; Barbara Ezell, avalonfreelance.com, barbezell@sti.net; Franka Gabler, frankagabler.com, gabe@sti.net, 559-683-0727; Jeff Grandy, jeffgrandyphotography.com, jgrandy@sti.net; Donn Hoyer, zaksbubba@sti.net; Ron Hendershott, hendershott@sti.net, 559-683-6546; David Hurst, dvdhrst@gmail.com, 559-213-8971; Donn Lusby, aroundyosemite.com, 559-683-5032; Paul Mullins, mullinsstudio.com, paul@mullinsstudio.com, 559-322-0395; City of Chowchilla Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department; Nancy Robbins, robbinsphotography.com, nancy@robbinsphotography.com, 209-617-7147; Csilla Enyedy Schulcz, enyedy@sti.net; Doug Scott, sburst7@sti.net; Michael Simonian, From God’s Porch Photography, FromGodsPorch.org, 559-877-7795; Debra Sutherland, goatgal11@netptc.net; Christophe Testi, CreativeShot.com, info@CreativeShot.com, 650-265-7080; Susanne Updike-Waite, sierravistastudios.com, tswaite@sti.net, 559-658-5950; Brian Wilhite, White Cloud Photography, bluesky@sti.net 888-759-9293, 559-683-2812 ©
41969 Highway 41 Oakhurst, CA, 93644 yosemitethisyear.com
RONN HENDERSHOTT© - WAWONA TUNNEL IN WINTER - YOSEMITE N.P.