Votes
2012 Best Small Towns in America
- 4 votes - Best For Food
- 1 vote - Friendliest
Description
Known as both the Gateway to the Sequoias and the Jewel of the Valley, Visalia lies in the center of the San Joaquin Valley nearby both Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks. The location is perfect for every variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, golfing, camping, fishing, boating, or skiing.
Visalia boasts something for everyone from the Tulare County Symphony in the Fox Theatre to a Rawhide baseball game at Recreation Park. With 50 murals around town, Visalia embraces local art. The town hosts an annual spoof called Sofa Art, an Arts Market, a “Trash to Fashion” Earth Day fashion show, and exhibits throughout local businesses.
Visitors can take the free trolley down Main Street to some of the highly acclaimed restaurants including Alejandra’s, Figaro’s, Vintage Press, and Jack and Charlie’s. Locals also boast of great produce from farmer’s markets to fruit stands and cheese farms. Visalia’s known for world famous sweet oranges and offers varied agriculturally themed tours.
Traveler Reviews
A beautiful town with super friendly people and fantastic food. We loved our visit.
I've live in Visalia my whole life and it wasn't until I left for college in a comparatively large town and returned to Visalia that I really began to appreciate the selection it offers. Especially for it town its size, the variety is astonishing. But it's more than that, it's the atmosphere. It's the fact that in a town of 126,000 people the waiters still know your name, sometimes they even know what you'll order before they get the chance. It's an amazing feeling to be part of a community that loves each other and enjoys both the town they live in and the people they're surrounded by. The food selection really is just the cherry on top.
Friendly people and a great small town feel! Love the variety of food that Visalia has to offer!!!
I have lived in Visalia all of my life and have raised my children here. This is by far the best place to live and raise children that I can think of.
I suggest you stop over to our downtown and get a taste of what the locals have to offer, I've been alot of places but the food here is amazing.