Visalia, CA

Travel Guide
Photo by Chelsea Tate
Near some of the nation’s finest national parks, this city in California’s agricultural San Joaquin Valley combines  small-town atmosphere with big-city amenities.

Visalia is a bustling metropolis in rural San Joaquin Valley. It is the seat of Tulare County, one of the highest-producing agricultural areas in the United States. See why Visalia prides itself on its small-town feel and big-city amenities.

Downtown Visalia is a lively area with small shops, numerous restaurants and several museums and galleries. Enjoy thriving nightlife at one of the local bars. Catch movies or concerts at theaters and playhouses scattered downtown. Take a self-guided art tour to admire murals covering many of the downtown buildings.

Children of all ages can let their imaginations run wild at Imagine U Museum. Interactive exhibits invite children to have fun exploring science, reading and health. 

Learn about San Joaquin Valley’s rich agricultural heritage at the Antique Farm and Equipment Museum. Historic farming equipment and other fascinating displays give you a glimpse into the world of the California farmer. Seven Sycamores Ranch is located just minutes outside Visalia. This citrus farm gives seasonal tours where visitors can explore the orange groves and sample one of California’s tastiest products. 

Enjoy fun for the whole family at Adventure Park. Whether you are drawn to the batting cages or the bumper boats, this destination promises an entertainment-filled afternoon for the whole family. The park also offers miniature golf, go-carts, bowling and arcade activities.

The Arts Consortium connects arts, culture and the community throughout Tulare County. Check its calendar for up-to-date listings of gallery showings, plays and workshops. 

Explore some of the most breathtaking scenery in the United States in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range, which is less than an hour’s drive outside Visalia. The Sierra Nevadas have three of the most well-known national parks in the United States: Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

While the San Joaquin region is largely agricultural, Visalia is a fairly easy drive from some of California’s biggest cities. San Francisco is just 230 miles (370 kilometers) northwest and Los Angeles is 190 miles (310 kilometers) south. 

Where to stay in Visalia

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Goshen

You might consider checking out Visalia Adventure Park while you're exploring Goshen and the larger Visalia area.

Goshen
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Yettem

While visiting Yettem, you might make a stop by sights like Mooney Grove Park and Lake Kaweah.

Yettem
Lamp Liter Inn
Lamp Liter Inn
2.5 out of 5
3300 W. Mineral King, Visalia, CA
The price is ¥14,799 per night from May 19 to May 20
¥14,799
per night
May 19 - May 20
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Visalia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
"The rooms need to be updated"

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

Lamp Liter Inn
Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center
Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center
3.5 out of 5
300 S Court St, Visalia, CA
The price is ¥21,653 per night from May 20 to May 21
¥21,653
per night
May 20 - May 21
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Visalia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Clean and convenient. Check in was busy with many guests arriving but staff was friendly and thorough. Great location."

Reviewed on May 10, 2024

Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Visalia/Sequoia Gateway
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Visalia/Sequoia Gateway
3 out of 5
5438 W Cypress Ave, Visalia, CA
The price is ¥18,929 per night from May 20 to May 21
¥18,929
per night
May 20 - May 21
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Visalia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Kings Canyon trip
"Hotel staff were gracious. Area was quiet."

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Visalia/Sequoia Gateway
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Private Guest Suite
Private Guest Suite
Visalia
Stay at this vacation home in Visalia. Enjoy free WiFi, housekeeping, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Imagine U Children's Museum and Visalia Fox Theatre ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Nice open rooms, perfect for a quiet stay when visiting family in the area."

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

Private Guest Suite
Spacious 4BD Home w EV charger near Sequoia Ntl Pk
Spacious 4BD Home w EV charger near Sequoia Ntl Pk
Visalia
Stay at this vacation home in Visalia. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Visalia Country Club and Rawhide Ballpark are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (35 reviews)
Nice House
"It was a good house, clean rooms, easy in and out. Needs just a few more items to round out the experience. More living room furniture and a few modest updates would make it 5 star."

Reviewed on May 3, 2024

Spacious 4BD Home w EV charger near Sequoia Ntl Pk
Historic Visalia 3br/2ba - Walk to Downtown
Historic Visalia 3br/2ba - Walk to Downtown
Visalia
Stay at this vacation home in Visalia. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Visalia Fox Theatre and Rawhide Ballpark are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
Charming
"Spacious. Plenty of amenities however the two full size beds need mattresses. Very uncomfortable. Luggage racks in bedrooms would be very helpful rather than having to put everything on the floor. Refrigerator is very old and makes loud random banging noises. Carpet in bedrooms needs cleaning."

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

Historic Visalia 3br/2ba - Walk to Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Visalia

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
138
" "5 - Excellent 34.5%
4 - Good
180
" "4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
70
" "3 - Okay 17.5%
2 - Disappointing
10
" "2 - Disappointing 2.5%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 0.5%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

Main Street is a fun area to walk and window shop. Some restaurants were open for takeout.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 27, 2020

Love this town.....

5/5 - Excellent

Catherine
Mar 18, 2020

Time of things to do

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 27, 2020

Former resident of visalia great place to visit and love

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Feb 22, 2020

It was a good place to stay when visiting Sequoia National Park

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 21, 2020

Price was responsible..this was my second stay here and would stay here again and highly recommend Drive is about 45 min to Sequoia entrance

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