Welcome to Southern Yosemite!
Our Visitor Center is more than a place to grab a map—it’s the beginning of your Southern Yosemite adventure!
Alongside our staff, 12 amazing volunteers help welcome visitors from all over the world, 7 days a week (excluding some holidays). Whether you’re planning your first trip or your fifteenth, we’re happy to help with maps, local tips, upcoming events, and even a few deals along the way. Each year, more than 30,000 guests sign our guest book, and every one of them is welcome here.
Come say hello—we’d love to meet you!
Oakhurst Visitor Center
40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
Phone: (559) 683-4636
Email: info@yosemitethisyear.com
Hours: Daily 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Pacific Time)
For employment seekers, please see current job listings (if any) at the bottom of this page.
Stop in today and ask our knowledgeable and dedicated expert volunteers for Yosemite travel advice!
Need to reach us? We are here to help.
Chief Executive Officer
Rhonda@YosemiteThisYear.com
Rhonda has been in tourism marketing in the southern gateway of Yosemite since 1987. Her favorite thing to do in the area is renting a patio boat on Bass Lake with friends and family.
Director of Operations
Lanie@YosemiteThisYear.com
Lanie has worked in tourism for most of her career and has a passion for donating time to the community. She loves spending time with her Rotary Club, the Golden Chain Theatre and watching Dodger baseball.
Director of Public Relations
Kate@YosemiteThisYear.com
Kate is passionate about highlighting the goings-on in Yosemite's Southern Gateway. She treasures the views from Sentinel Dome in Yosemite and from the Way of the Mono Trail at Bass Lake, and she recommends a stop at Reimer’s Candies & Ice Cream during your visit.
Director of Sales and Marketing
Brooke@YosemiteThisYear.com
Brooke Smith is committed to positioning the region as a top travel destination and loves helping people craft dream vacations. She loves exploring the backroads to find quirky, off-the-beaten-path locations like the exact Center of California, the Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County, and Globe Rock.
Visitor Center Coordinator
Info@YosemiteThisYear.com
Phyllis has been in the hospitality/tourism industry, mostly in California, since 2000. Her favorite thing to do in the area is visit Yosemite and hike with her friends in the high country.
Visitor Center Coordinator
Info@YosemiteThisYear.com
Janine has been a business owner and manager for over 20 years. After moving to the Bass Lake area, she worked in the hospitality industry , gaining broad knowledge of the local area, which she now uses to assist visitors. Her favorite thing to do in the area is picnic and float on the lake with her family and grandkids.
Visitor Center Manager
visitorcentermanager@yosemitethisyear.com
Amanda is a Yosemite local who grew up in the National Park and has been guiding professionally throughout the region since 2010. When she’s not at the Visitor's Bureau, you’ll find her enjoying local events or backpacking in the Sierras and exploring new hidden corners of the range.
Become a Partner in Tourism:
Promote your business on our website, visitors guide, and other channels. Contact Lanie Suderman at 559-683-4636, or by email at Lanie@YosemiteThisYear.com.
Submit a Photo:
For consideration of use by the Visit Yosemite | Madera County – Photos@YosemiteThisYear.com.
Submit an Event Proposal:
We work with several conference/event facilities throughout Madera County and southern Yosemite. If you’d like to submit your event proposal, please email your event needs to: Rhonda Salisbury at Rhonda@YosemiteThisYear.com and she will pass it along to the appropriate venues.
Employment Opportunities
Visit Yosemite | Madera County's team is made up of full time, part time, and volunteer workers. If you are interested in a job with VYMC, please email your resume to Lanie@YosemiteThisYear.com.
Current Job Openings:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - applications will be accepted July 15th thru August 31st with an estimated start date of December 1, 2026. If you are interested, please review this CEO Recruitment Brochure 2026 with job description and instructions for applying.
Visitor Center Volunteer - we have openings for volunteers to work with visitors at the visitor center giving maps and information. Shifts are once a week for 4 to 5 hours. If you are interested in a fun volunteer position, please contact Lanie Suderman at Lanie@YosemiteThisYear.com.
