Central Valley Foodie Road Trip

Bakersfield is full of surprises. Once known for oil and agriculture, this Central Valley town is morphing into an arts, culture, and sports hub, while still offering a glimpse of the past. Visit Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, 45 miles north. 20世纪初，一群非裔美国人试图建立一个远离外界负面影响的乌托邦社会，这个定居点为加利福尼亚历史上一件不寻常的事件提供了一个引人注目的视角.

贝克斯菲尔德的新景点包括画廊 Arts District, where the 1930 Fox Theater showcases everything from pop music to ballet. Don’t miss Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace这里是该地区标志性的贝克斯菲尔德之声的发源地，这是一种带有鼻音的乡村音乐. The country’s largest concentration of Basque restaurants 是该地区丰富的巴斯克历史的一个提醒(19世纪末，来自西班牙和法国比利牛斯山脉的移民在这里定居了牧羊场). 春天，野花覆盖了附近的德哈查皮山脉.

Just a short side trip off Highway 99, Visalia纽约历史悠久、适合步行的市中心为游客提供了各种吸引人的选择，而不是标准的快餐食品. The Vintage Press has been a local favorite for more than 50 years. It’s an elegant spot for dinner and also a sure lunch bet, thanks to a delicious Armenian lamb shish kebab sandwich. Valhalla Restaurant & Gift Shop 通过提供最受欢迎的传统早餐，如丹麦煎饼和可丽饼，将丹麦的味道带到了小镇上, 以及午餐时的开放式frikadeller(丹麦肉丸)三明治. 如果你想吃更辣的东西，可以试试青椒卷饼或墨西哥卷饼 Colima Mexican & Seafood Restaurant.

Fresno makes for a surprisingly lively getaway. Seven stadiums and a pair of arenas satisfy sporty types, 在郁郁葱葱的伍德沃德公园举办一年一度的伍德沃德莎士比亚节，展示了弗雷斯诺的文化倾向.

But agriculture is king here. Check out bountiful Vineyard Farmers’ Market, Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. In early spring, drive or bike along the 62-mile Blossom Trail这时，果树和坚果树正在盛开. In summer, it morphs into the Fresno County Fruit Trail, and fruit stands overflow with seasonal produce.

Back in town, explore subterranean Forestiere Underground Gardens, 这是一位意大利移民亲手挖的，他认为在中央山谷的夏天，地下是保持凉爽舒适的好方法. Kids love Chaffee Zoo, especially the frolicking pinnipeds in Sea Lion Cove. Monthly Art Hops are a great way to explore the Mural District, a hotbed of artists’ studios and galleries. 天黑后，餐馆和俱乐部灯火通明 Tower District.

While the Central Valley 最著名的是水果和蔬菜，人类不只是靠农产品生活吗. If you’re hankering for beef, Merced has a pair of meat-centric choices to consider. 它的老式霓虹灯招牌上写着“炭烤牛排”,” there’s little mystery about the specialty at The Branding Iron. 大约从1952年开始，这家当地的餐馆以上等肋排和咖啡擦肋眼而闻名. 或者试试双层法式汉堡(实际上是用四个馅饼做成的)!)和一瓶浮式沙士(至少是由汽车旅馆提供的) & W Family Drive-In.

In the town of Hilmar you can visit and tour Hilmar Cheese Company, a perfect stop for Yosemite National Park前往美国的旅客和任何在99号州际公路上开车的人. 令人印象深刻的游客中心设有美食礼品店，而咖啡馆则充分利用希尔玛的胡椒杰克和切达干酪，通过烤三明治和奶酪浓汤. Depending on the production schedule, 你可能会看到工人们将640磅重的大块奶酪打包运输. And at the end of the tour, there are free tastings of Hilmar cheeses, 包括一种只有在工厂才有的美味:被称为奶酪吱吱声的新鲜凝乳.

Modesto was the town that inspired the classic film American Graffiti 还有一些休闲景点，非常适合它的巡航传统和在旅途中吃饭. At breakfast, check out Mr. T’s Delicate Donut Shop, 在获得美国15大甜甜圈目的地之一的荣誉后，它正式进入了A组. 它的熏肉枫糖棒绝对让人无法抗拒. T’s is open 24/7. 或者你可以重温莫德斯托汽车餐厅的辉煌时光 A&W Restaurant, which has been around since 1957.

Surrounded by bounteous farmland, Stockton is all about fresh, local foods. 它最著名的作物是芦笋，在四月你可以观看烹饪示范，甚至品尝芦笋冰淇淋(真的吗?!) at the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival. On Saturday mornings, browse the Downtown Farmers' Market where more than 80 vendors peddle an array of Chinese, Indian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Korean groceries—plus mountains of vegetables. Stop at The Fruit Bowl 在窝打老道买一桶桃子、油桃或杏子. 那就坐下来吃一片这个农场摊位的新鲜桃子派吧. And speaking of baked goods, the Genova Bakery, 一个世纪以来，这家意大利熟食店一直弥漫着传统面包的香气, 它的标志性黄色木结构建筑吸引了长长的午餐队伍.

这里最出名的是大红葡萄酒，尤其是老葡萄藤仙粉黛， Lodi这座位于旧金山以东83英里的城市在绿色环保方面也处于领先地位. 超过25000英亩的葡萄园被认证为可持续发展，这里是 Lodi Rules这是加州第一个经过第三方认证的可持续葡萄酒种植项目. 近年来，各种品酒室如雨后春笋般涌现, 大多数活动都位于距离市中心不到15分钟的车程内. A great place to start is the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, 提供来自近80个当地葡萄酒商的轮流选择品种.

Though the range of wines has grown, the rich, 浓缩的新世界品种仍然是该地区的标志, 该州40%以上的仙粉黛都产自这里. Lodi Row x Row (formerly Zinfest), an annual three-day tasting party each May, 提供了品尝来自洛迪最好的生产商的250种葡萄酒的机会.

进入高尔特历史悠久的市中心，你会惊讶地发现这里有各种各样的餐馆. In a beautifully restored 19th-century building, Brewster’s Bar & Grill 烹饪当代舒适的食物，并混合了一种精致的鸡尾酒. Over at Pastosa by Lucia在美国，最受欢迎的自制汤圆等美食为这座城市带来了正宗的意大利美食. And the eclectic street foods at StreetZlan 从鸡肉华夫饼到12小时熏牛腩卷，或者用瓦哈卡奶酪填满辣椒犒劳自己.