Alongside its farm fresh food and scenic outdoor scenery, visitors can immerse themselves in arts, history and culture in California’s Central Valley. The region is home to exciting cities of murals, budding local artists, thriving music scenes, and interesting indigenous history.
Stroll around Modesto on a Mural Tour
The perfect way to explore the city at a slower pace The Modesto Mural Walk Audio Tour is a guided street art audio tour that takes users from Rodin Ranch farmers market, past restaurants, coffee shops, museums and galleries. The 60-minute audio tour introduces the artists from around the world who created the murals and the stories behind them.
Listen to Bakersfield’s Sound(s)
The birthplace of country legend Buck Owens and the ‘Bakersfield sound’, and often referred to as the Nashville of the west, Bakersfield calls to the country music lover. Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace is a must stop when visiting the town. A restaurant, museum and music venue all in one, it spotlights the rich history of the Bakersfield Sound and the lengthy career of Buck Owens. For more grown-up families the venue plays giggs regularly and country stars interrupt world tours to play the intimate 550-seat venue.
Visit Fresno’s Art Galleries
Discover work by local artists and artwork from around the world at the Fresno Art Museum. The museum preserves and protects more than 3,600 modern and contemporary pieces including works from Ansel Adams, Pablo Picasso and Norman Rockwell. Fresno is also home to galleries that showcase local work, such as Margaret Hudson’s Earth Arts Studios, offering Hand-crafted ceramic sculptures inspired by nature and animals and Clay Hand Studios.
Learn more about indigenous culture in Stockton
Stockton offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Yachicumne Yokuts and neighbouring Miwok tribes from the region. At the Haggin, their display focuses on the history of the North Valley Yokuts and South Plains Miwok tribes and the exhibit tells the tale of the Yachicumne Yokuts and their villages along the Mormon Slough, the Stockton Department Water Channel and Bear Creek. Over at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum, their Native Peoples Gallery provides an insight into the 13,000 year-long history of the Native American population and culture in Stockton with displays showcasing artefacts, videos showing traditional basket making, acorn preparation, and deer hunting.