SPRINGTIME VISALIA BLOSSOM & ORCHARD TRAIL

🌸 Experience the beauty of the Visalia Blossom Trail this spring! 🌼 Drive the back lanes and country roads to explore the vibrant landscapes of Tulare County, the most diversified ag-producing area in the world. With over 120 crops grown in and around Visalia, you'll be surrounded by the stunning displays of color in orchards that fuel our agricultural heritage. 🌿 The peak time for blossom viewing is mid-February through early March, so don’t miss the chance to soak in the sights, scents, and charm of our region! Don't forget to tag us or use #VisaliaBlossomTrail 🌞

Use the blossom trail map as a starting point for your adventure, then feel free to explore. Because the roads and avenues are on a grid, you can head off the beaten path or take side roads to get the Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park and never get too lost. You can start anywhere along the trail, spend as must time as you like exploring, and view the beautiful blooms along the way. If you are headed to the parks for a visit, take a brief and scenic side trip to enjoy the spring blossoms.

Sequoia National Park

For an “off-the-beaten-path” route to Sequoia National Park, follow Route 216 through Woodlake and connect with Highway 198 which goes to the park entrance. This route will take you through Plums, Almonds, Oranges and Pomegranates. There are more crops that grow along this route. If you see a farm stand along the way, stop in and see what’s in season. 

Kings Canyon National Park

Highway 63 heads north from Visalia toward Highway 180 and the entrance to Kings Canyon National Park. Take a brief detour for scenic, bloom viewing. Road 120,  which parallels Highway 63 to the west, will take you through orange groves, stone fruit (like peaches) and even olives! 

As soon as you cross over the St. John’s River on McAuliff Road, the blossoms begin - just 10 minutes from the center of town! On the east side of McAuliff Road, you will see kiwis growing on trellises like grapes. However, kiwi plants cover the entire canopy and when ripe, the fruit hangs down for picking. Along here you may also see walnuts and almonds. 

Along Road 156, there is lots of citrus – oranges, lemons, tangerines. There also are pistachios and olives. 

What Grows Here:

• Kiwi
• Plums
• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Minneolas
• Oranges

Side Trips

• If you continue east on Ave 328, the road becomes State Route 216 and will connect with Highway 198 to continue on to Sequoia National Park. Along here you will see citrus groves and enjoy beautiful views. 
• Big L Ranch is a fun spot for U-Pick blueberries in season, around June and July. They also host family friendly events like concerts and movie nights, have canoes and kayaks to rent along the river, and offer seasonal activities.

In this area, you will see blueberries that grow on short little bushes. You will see them on the south side of the road. Pomegranates grow along the northside and grow on small, bush-like trees. Toward the west end of Avenue 384 you begin to see more stone fruit, like peaches, nectarines, and cherries.

What Grows Here

• Blueberries grow on the southside of the road
• Oranges (Did you know that more oranges are grown in California than in Florida!)
• Kiwi (You might be surprised to know that Kiwi grow on a bush and are trellised like a grapevine)

Side Trips

• If you are headed to Kings Canyon National Park, instead of turning on Hwy 63, take Road 120 just west of Hwy 63 for a beautiful drive through the groves and orchards. The Road becomes Hwy 63 which connects to Hwy 180 into Kings Canyon National Park.
• If you have time, visit Bari Olive Oil Company. They have tastings, a gift shop, and love to help visitors learn how olive oil is made. 

To continue on the Blossom Trail, head south on Road 80/ Plaza Drive.

As you head south on Road 80 (also known as Plaza Drive) to return to Visalia you will see walnuts orchards and dairies. Milk is Tulare County’s #1 crop and you will understand why as you drive along this route. Many large dairy operations are along here. To support the dairy operations, alfalfa, hay and feed is grown here.

Side Trips

• At Avenue 368, turn west (right) toward Traver to see Bravo Farms. This road-side attraction along highway 99 has a petting zoo, a 7-story tall tree house thay you can climb, a gift shop and wine and cheese tasting. You may even get to see cheese being made. The view from the elevated walkway at Brave Farms looking west is spectacular when the trees are in bloom, like a carpet of pinks and white.

We want you to enjoy your visit exploring one of California's most productive - and beautiful - agricultural regions. Here are recommendations for for a safe and fun day:  

DO 

• Drive carefully and use caution when stopping to take pictures. Always park safely (and legally.)
• Stay on public access roadways.
• Stop at local farm stands to bring home fresh-from-the field produce.
• Take lots of photos and share your adventure with up - #visaliablossomtrail @VisitVisalia

DO NOT

• Walk or drive in orchards or farmland.
• Forget to clean up after your pet or your group.
• Pick the blossoms – the blossoms will be delicious nuts and fruits this summer. 

When is the best time of year to enjoy the blossom trail? 
Peak blossom viewing starts in mid-February, depending on Mother Nature.

How long does the Blossom Trail last? 
The blossoms usually last until mid-March but can last all the way to early April. The almonds are usually the first to bloom, then the stone fruits like peaches, nectarines and apricots. Later in the season, citrus (like oranges and lemons) will bloom with their very fragant white blossoms.

Can you walk in the orchards? 
No. However, taking photos along the side of the road is welcome and encouraged (be sure to tag us on social media #VisaliaBlossomTrail.) The orchards on the trail are private property and we ask that you do not walk into the orchards or drive onto the farms, dirt roads or other areas. 

Where can you take photos?
The spectacular beauty of the pink and white blossoms is perfect for an Instagram post. So takes lots of photos. The farmers ask that you respect the orchards and not walk into the grove. And of course don't pick any of the blossoms - they will become the juicy fruit and nuts! (Be sure to tag #VisaliaBlossomTrail in your posts.)

Can you pick the blossoms? 
Please leave the blossoms to grow on the tree. They will soon become delicious peaches, necarines, apricots, almonds or other tasty treats. (Be sure to come back in a few months to see and taste all the fruit these blossoms create!)

How long does it take to do the Blossom and Orchard Trail? 
The Blossom and Orchard Trail takes a minimum of 2 hours. Stopping to take photos, visiting farm stands and other sidetrips can add to your time. But, you can make the trail as long or as short as you would like. 

Where to dine for the best farm-to-fork flavors?
Choose from one of the many great restaurants throughout Visalia that use the local bounty to create tasty dishes. The local brewery district also serves up some of the best flavors and are fun to explore.