< PreviousVisit South Gate Brewing Company. This full-service brewery and gastropub expertly combines quality hops, small-batch beer and farm-fresh food into a symphony of flavor on their seasonally changing menu. Sample incredible wines at Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen. There are three ways to experience; stop in the tasting room, order delicious and sophisticated food pairings or enjoy while listening to live music at the Beer Garden and Wine Bar. At Oakhurst Spirits, sip hand-crafted rum, whiskey, gin and more. Ask about the cocktail menu that includes refreshing lemonade with local lavender-infused vodka as well as some seasonal favorites. For even more options for places to raise a raise a glass, consider a stop at the Snowline Saloon, Yosemite Wine Tails or the Oakhurst Grill & Whiskey 41 Lounge (which purportedly has the largest whiskey selection in the entire region). is a hand-crafted beverage trail featuring beer, wine and spirits all made in Oakhurst, California. TOAST OF OAKHURST •VYMC 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 38An abundance of beverage diversity greets travelers to Yosemite's Southern Gateway. Wineries of Madera County A coastal mountain range to the west and the Sierra Nevada to the east, California’s Central Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Small, yet mighty, Madera County ranks in the top twenty in the United States for total agricultural production. Here, winemaking was happening as early as the 19th century and Madera is designated as an American Viticulture Area. There is “Wine Country” outside Yosemite National Park to explore. Along the Madera Wine Trail, find highly celebrated and historic port wines, silky-smooth single-varietals and food-friendly table wines that delight the palate. In higher elevations, join the Yosemite Sierra Wine Road wineries in the Sierra Foothills. Each of the ten wineries in this region shine with unique charm. Most are boutique wineries where travelers can engage in conversation with the winemaker. Their dedication to excellence, coupled with a focus on hospitality, make for a memorable wine tasting journey. Discover historic varietals, outdoor spaces, rolling vineyards, dynamite reds and bubbly brunch bites on the Madera Wine Trail and the Yosemite Sierra Wine Road. Want More? RD 211 SAN JOAQUIN WINERY QUADY WINERY PAPAGNI WINES FICKLIN VINEYARDS BIRDSTONE WINERY TOCA MADERA WINERY FÄSI ESTATE WINERY IDLE HOUR WINERY & KITCHEN Madera O’Neals Oakhurst WESTBROOK WINE FARM Madera Wine Trail & Yosemite Sierra Wine Road KARINE WINES AVE 13 AVE 12 AVE 9 AVE 7 AVE 24 AVE 36 RD 200 RD 200 RD 221 RD 223 FRESNO NORTH Yosemite Sierra Wine Road Madera Wine Trail C RU WINERY R D 2 2 2 R D4 2 6 RD 2 0 8 Enjoy our Tasting Rooms All Year TheMaderaWineTrail.com Experience the Madera Wine Trail Guests enjoy the benefits of the region’s rich history, knowledgeable hosts and tasting rooms still small enough that you can visit with the winemakers themselves. Come taste our award-winning wines! WESTBROOK WINE FARM about the Madera Wine Trail? Have you heard the “BUZZ” YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 39Redinger Lake: At this hidden gem, find seclusion and solitude while you're casting your line. Fish any time of year on this 500-acre lake. It's an excellent addition to any road trip, especially when checking out the geographical center of California or the town of North Fork. Kerckhoff Reservoir: If seeking a day of adventure with a bit of seclusion, Kerckhoff is a good option. About a half-hour beyond Bass Lake, find year-round fishing featuring eastern brook trout, smallmouth bass and bluegill. Mammoth Pool: Mammoth Pool Reservoir is situated at an elevation of 3,300 feet on the eastern side of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. The reservoir is closed to the public during the month of May and the first half of June to allow migrating deer to swim across the reservoir so as to spend the summer in the Sierra Nevada highlands. Fishing re-opens June 17 until the first snowfall. Best Places to fish in California? What makes a destination one of the For some, it's a trophy-sized catch. For others, it's somewhere that gives you a bit of tranquility from daily life. Regardless of the definition, we guarantee you will find it in the Yosemite | Madera County region. Get hooked on a national treasure… In Yosemite National Park, there are 58 permanent streams with over 770 miles of crystal clear water. In these waters live a myriad of fish such as brown trout, golden trout, brook trout and the native rainbow trout. Practice catch and release on the valley portions of the Merced River, wade into the glacial waters of Tenaya Lake, or keep it "reel" in the high country meadows of the Tuolumne River. The guides at Sierra Fly Fisher/ Yosemite Rivers Fly Shop in Oakhurst lead fly fishing excursions to the Sierra National Forest, as well as Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. ALES AND TRAILS • SYMG Fishing 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 40 TICKET PACKAGE INCLUDES: A chef-prepared seasonal appetizer selection, Conversation with the Artist and Meet & Greet, Narrated 25-minute Train Ride to the venue, an exclusive concert performance at the Sugar Pine Lewis Creek Amphitheater secluded in the Sierra National Forest. www.jazzconcerts.comEastman Lake: This reservoir on the Chowchilla River, surrounded by tall and rolling hills, is a scenic and restful setting. It draws fishing enthusiasts from all over the region with the trophy-sized bass that lurk in its waters. Hensley Lake: Just south of the historic town of Raymond, explore twenty miles of shoreline hikes, mountain bike trails and hidden viewpoints. Camping, fishing and picnicking are open year-round. A winter trip to this low-elevation reservoir is a welcome escape from valley fog and mountain snow. Bass Lake: Located south of Yosemite National Park, Bass Lake is the place to fish. The annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby kicks off the famous lake's busy summer season each year the first weekend of May. Bass Lake has boats, tackle, bait, rentals, restaurants and California sport fishing licenses available for anglers. Mindful Café nourish the soul Discover the healing benefits of being in nature. Forest Bathing is a fully immersive practice that uses all your senses to connect deeply with the surrounding forest. This three hour guided journey includes invitations to deepen the experience, and ends with forest tea and goodies. forest bathing • retreats • meditation www.MindfulCafe.life • (559) 760-0732 YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 41R a ym o n d Roa d 4 1 5 R o a d 6 0 0 G r u b G u l c h R o a d 6 0 0 2 0 6 O ’ N e a l s R o a d 2 1 1 N o r t h F o r k R o a d R o ad 2 0 0 R o a d 2 2 5 R d . 2 2 2 R o a d 2 7 4 R o a d 2 2 3 R oa d 4 2 6 S k y R a n c h R d . B e a s o r e R o a d Robertson Blvd. Ave. 26 Ave. 21 Road 145 145 Lucky Lane Rd. 200 200 222 222 274 221 221 226 Road 603 Ave. 20 Road 22 Ave. 21½ To Fresno To Fresno Road 20 Road 16 R o a d 6 0 0 R i v e r R o a d 4 0 0 R o a d 2 2 2 CHOWCHILLA AHWAHNEE OAKHURST NELDER GROVE MARIPOSA COARSEGOLD RAYMOND O’NEALS NORTH FORK BASS LAKE MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES OF Museums & Historical Sites Take an educational and fun-filled journey into the area’s rich past and discover the many historical treasures of the region along the way. Ride a historic steam train into the Sierra National Forest at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Visit the recently renovated Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center to learn about the Mono tribe's history and cultural traditions. Come face-to-face with ancient creatures of San Joaquin Valley's past at the Fossil Discovery Center. SIERRA MONO MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER WASSAMA ROUND HOUSE •NANCY ROBBINS Explore a region rich with history PICAYUNE SCHOOL •COARSEGOLD MUSEUM The Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park is a wonderful place to experience what 19th Century life in the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains of Central California was like. Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County Madera County Historical Society Museum Raymond Museum Coarsegold Historical Society & Historic Museum Sierra Mono Museum & Cultural Center Coarsegold Historic Village Fresno Flats Historic Village & Park Little Church on the Hill Golden Chain Theatre Wassama Round House State Historical Park Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park Nelder Grove, Friends of Nelder Grove, Inc. Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 42Find Hidden Treasure in Madera County's local Our area has a wide array of gift shops, each with its own unique personality and specialties. Discover locally handcrafted items found nowhere else and take home a keepsake that will be a unique and treasured reminder of the great time you and your family have enjoyed here. From fine art to fun souvenirs, you can find it here. Thrift & Gift Shops Looking for something with added charm? Thrift stores just may be your answer and the exploration can be as rewarding as what you find! Browse through shelves loaded with treasures at one of many local stores. There's nothing better than a great find such as a cool jacket, a wonderful book, a vintage vase or a throwback record. You'll have fun browsing through trinkets and treasures you have never seen before. ARTIFACTS WORLD IMPORT GALLERY COARSEGOLD HISTORIC VILLAGE BASS LAKE COARSEGOLD NORTH FORK OAKHURST Coarsegold to Oakhurst - 8 miles Bass Lake turnoff to Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad - 8 miles R o a d 4 2 6 O’Neals Sugar Pine 16 17 18 19 14 15 20 12 11 10 6 8 9 6 2 1 5 4 2 1 3 1 2 4 5 3 6 7 1 2 5 4 7 3 8 7 8 13 21 shopping-bag Thrift Stores 1Yosemite New Life Thrift Store 2SPCA Thrift Shop 3New Community United Methodist Church Thrift Store 4Boutique Thrift Store 5Tokens Thrift Store 6Wonderful Treasures Thrift Shop 7The Warehouse Thrift Store 8The Wandering Phoenix Adult Beverages 1South Gate Brewing Company 2Oakhurst Spirits 3Yosemite Wine Tails 4Whiskey 41 Lounge at the Best Western PLUS 5Queen’s Inn Wine Bar & Beer Garden/ Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen 6Snowline Saloon 7Pines Bar gift Gift Shops 1Hilltop Home & Garden 2Betty’s Hallmark Store 3Something Special 4Sierra Mercantile 5Ec*lec*tic 6Oakhurst Giftworks 7Western Sierra Nursery 8The Gallery at Oakhurst Spirits 9Artifacts - World Import Gallery 10Firefall Gallery 11Seven Rivers Pickers 12Yosemite Gateway Art Center 13Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen Public Market 14Reimer’s Candies, Ice Cream & Gifts 15Yosemite Falls Trading Post 16The Forks Resort (seasonal) 17The Pines Village •Good Ol’ Daze •Out West •The Pines Market, Deli & Gifts 18Bass Lake Boat Rentals Gift Shop 19Miller’s Landing Resort (seasonal) 20Sierra Mono Museum Gift Shop 21The Kids Depot at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad 1Coarsegold Historic Village 2Southgate Station •Good Ol' Things and other shops star Locations with a variety of Thrift, Antiques & Gift Shops OAKHURST•BASS LAKE•COARSEGOLD•NORTH FORK•O'NEALS•SUGAR PINE Gifting Thrifting Exploring local thrift and gift shops is a fun way to spend the day! Thrift Stores Gift Stores Refreshments Variety of Shops Visitor Center Visit Yosemite | Madera County 40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA YosemiteThisYear.com • 559-683-4636 MAP NOT TO SCALE YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 43Chowchilla Oakhurst Coarsegold Yosemite National Park Fish Camp Madera The Fossils to Falls Road Trip begins in the farmlands of the San Joaquin Valley and ends at the grand vistas of Yosemite National Park. Along the way, collect trading cards of the ten native animal characters known as the Welcoming Committee. Find their cards at these popular attractions, then enter for a chance to win a Yosemite Adventure Vacation. FOSSIL DISCOVERY CENTER Explore one of the largest collections of middle- Pleistocene era fossils in North America. Here, find the trading card for Mr. Mead, the Saber-toothed Cat, along with the fossilized remains of Columbian Mammoths, 18-ft. Sloths and Dire Wolves. At the mock dig, budding paleontologists can use their imagination to uncover the massive creatures that roamed this land more than 780,000 years ago. SOUTHERN YOSEMITE WINERIES Madera County has an abundance of agriculture and history. These worlds combine into one of the oldest wine grape-growing regions in the U.S. Enjoy an excellent combination of hospitality and fantastic, award-winning wines. Ask for Honey, the Honeybee, at any of the family-owned wineries including those along the Madera Wine Trail and Yosemite Sierra Wine Road. COARSEGOLD In this goldrush era community, discover Nugget, the California Ebony Tarantula, at the Coarsegold Historic Museum just south of Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino. Travelers can also uncover Nugget while exploring the eclectic shops at Coarsegold Historic Village. If you’re in the area, don't miss the annual Tarantula Awareness Festival on the last Saturday in October. OAKHURST Get to know the largest gateway town of Yosemite National Park, Oakhurst. It lies at the junction of the Golden Chain Highway (CA- 49) and the Southern Yosemite Highway (CA-41), just 16-miles from the park entrance. Book the region's top lodging, then stay a while, discovering a host of adventures you never expected to find. Stop at the Visitor Center to meet Sierra, the Black Bear, collect her card and find answers to your travel questions. Get the information on live performances, things to do, historical sites, delicious dining and the Toast of Oakhurst Beverage Tour. •Birdstone Winery •C RU Winery •Fäsi Estate Winery •Ficklin Vineyards •Karine Wines •Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen •Papagni Winery •Quady Winery •San Joaquin Wine Company •Toca Madera Winery •Westbrook Wine Farm Fossils to Falls Road Trip a Family Fun adventure (with some adult time too!) There's So Much to see and do here! Visit more places, collect more cards and receive more chances to Win! Prospect for fun right here in Madera County! 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 44Bass Lake North Fork YOSEMITE GATEWAY ART CENTER Oakhurst is a place bursting with creative talent and there’s no better place to see that than the Yosemite Gateway Art Center. The Art Center is home to multiple galleries representing art from renowned regional artists working in many styles and mediums. From stunning photography to contemporary sculpture, you can find it here! This hub for art, artists and creative events in the region hosts a wide variety of artist demonstrations and exhibits throughout the year. It is also the place to find the trading card for our most colorful character, Art E. Fox, the Sierra Nevada Red Fox. YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN SUGAR PINE RAILROAD Travel back in time aboard an historic steam train on a four-mile excursion into the Sierra National Forest. The landmark railroad offers train rides, gold panning, evening programs, a museum, a sandwich shop and a toy store, March through November, weather permitting. Collect Ricky the Raccoon's trading card, then get ready for an exhilarating journey. NORTH FORK The town of North Fork has the distinction of being at the center of things - most notably the exact center of California! It’s also home to the annual North Fork Loggers Jamboree, the Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center and it’s the starting point of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. You can find Ranger the California Mule Deer at The Gnarly Carrot and the Sierra Mono Museum. BASS LAKE Bass Lake is known for fishing, hiking, mountain biking, shopping and excellent lakeside dining. Many lodging options include camping, cabins, vacation rentals and lakeside resorts. Three marinas provide boat rentals that range from kayaks to party barges. Find BLake, the Bald Eagle and collect his trading card at, The Pines Resort, The Forks Resort, or Miller's Landing. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Just inside the park's southern entrance, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is home to nearly 500 magnificent giants. Visit the Welcome Plaza, near the parking area, to meet Galen, the Great-Horned Owl, and collect his card. It is a breeze to travel to the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area via park shuttle. Word to the wise: The Washburn Trail can take you to the BIG trees if the shuttle is unavailable. The last stop and the grand finale of the Fossils to Falls Road Trip are the magical sights of Yosemite Valley! Tunnel View is an essential destination on any Yosemite visit; see Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and El Capitan from this iconic viewpoint. The trading card for Sandy, the Squirrel, is available at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Village and Tenaya at Yosemite in the gateway town of Fish Camp. Enjoy the Art in its many forms! YosemiteThisYear.com/welcoming-committee Collect a minimum of 2 cards to enter the Yosemite Adventure Contest. Collect more cards for more chances to win! Look for my Bald Eagle friends and me soaring above Bass Lake! It's so Easy to Play Come explore the Heart of California! Monthly Prizes Too! Only two cards needed to Win! North ForkBass LakeArt in OakhurstOakhurstCoarsegoldYosemite Valley Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine RailRoad Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Madera Wine Trail FossiL Discovery Center YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 45Over 115 year-round cozy cabins and spacious cottages to choose from inside Yosemite National Park THE REDWOODS VACATION HOME RENTALS, WEDDING & EVENT CENTER ARE LOCATED IN HISTORIC WAWONA, JUST 6 MILES FROM THE MARIPOSA GROVE OF GIANT SEQUOIAS. BOOK ONLINE AT REDWOODSINYOSEMITE.COM OR CALL US AT +1-888-225-6666. 75 YEARS OF BRINGING YOSEMITE TO YOUR DOORSTEP THE LAKES RV RESORT AND GOLF COURSE Golf Courses The Lakes RV & Golf Resort (866) 665-6980 • Chowchilla thelakesrv.com Madera Municipal Golf Course (559) 675-3504 •Madera maderamuni.com River Creek Golf Course (559) 683-5600 • Ahwahnee rivercreekgolfcourse.com Wawona Golf Course (209) 375-6572 • Wawona travelyosemite.com Call to check availability 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 46You can find all kinds of adventures in Yosemite’s Southern Gateway and if you prefer yours to be of the athletic variety, we’ve got you covered! From wrangling bulls to racking up the miles, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your competitive drive. For endurance athletes, the competitive year typically starts off at lower elevations in March with the Tesoro Viejo Spring Classic Half Marathon. In May things move up hill, literally, with the very popular Yosemite Half Marathon. This scenic course through the Sierra National Forest ends at the shores of beautiful Bass Lake. It is often part of a full weekend of adventure including epic hiking in Yosemite, exploring the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway as well as the many trails and activities on or around Bass Lake. RunFallClassic.com and YosemiteHalfMarathon.com The Bass Lake Yosemite Triathlon has been drawing multi-sport athletes to the foothills since the early 1980s. The event was resurrected in 2011 and celebrates its thirteenth year in 2024. It offers both Olympic and Sprint distance courses and team options too. BassLakeTri.com Rounding out the competitive running opportunities on the calendar is a longtime local fall favorite, the Smokey Bear Run/ Walk at Bass Lake. Races range from 1/8 mile for ages 2-4, up to 10k run so there’s something for all ages and abilities. SmokeyBearRun.com Sporting Events COARSEGOLD RODEO GROUNDS • CARRIE JENKINS For folks who prefer to pedal as opposed to run, there are two events to put on the schedule. The first is the fall classic cycling event, The Grizzly Century & Gravel Ride. The Griz offers a variety of routes on roads, both paved and gravel, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada . From a relatively easy 24 mile course that loops Bass Lake to the namesake Grizzly Century: a challenging 100 mile ride with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain, long on the roads of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. For those that truly prefer the roads less traveled, there’s the Everyone Loves Raymond Gravel Rides. This relatively new event (the inaugural one was in 2018) takes place in February and offers some fun and challenging routes ranging from 30 to 90 miles though the foothills. FresnoCycling.com Bass Lake Fishing Derby Anglers also get to challenge each other for bragging rights for the “Big Ones” at the Bass Lake Fishing Derby each May. The weekend-long event brings folks from all over the area to come enjoy the beauty of the lake in mid-spring while attempting to catch their share of over $50,000+ dollars of tagged, prize fish. Bass Lake is not the only place for fishermen to go reel-to-reel. Both Eastman and Millerton Lakes are active sites for regional competitions throughout each fishing season. BassLakeChamber.com For a change of pace and a chance to spectate as opposed to participate, dust off your boots and come experience the excitement of rodeo at the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds. The venue hosts the annual Coarsegold California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (CCPRA) Rodeo the first weekend in May. Fans are treated to a variety of events including Mutton Bustin’, the Michael Steen Exceptional Kids Rodeo and the pageantry of Rodeo Royalty. All of this is topped off with the excitement of Pro Rodeo competitions. The rodeo is truly fun for the whole family. CgRodeoGrounds.com BASS LAKE YOSEMITE TRIATHLON • VYMC YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 47Next >