Visalia is an old town. In fact, it's the oldest town in the San Joaquin Valley, and it's commonly referred to as the Crown Jewel of the region. Visalia is nestled in Tulare County, which was originally part of Mariposa County.Â
When California became a state in 1850, Tulare County did not yet exist, but the area that was settled by pioneers was known as the Four Creeks. The name originated from the several rivers and creeks that covered the region and gave the landscape features similar to a marsh. It was these settlers that endeavored to make the area a proper county and asked the state legislature to begin the process in 1852. Later that year, Tulare County became officially recognized by the state government.Â
One of the city's first settlers was Nathaniel Vise, who named the town after his hometown of Visalia, Kentucky. Visalia can thank much of its initial success to the gold fever that occurred when gold was found in the nearby Kern River. Many miners that sought riches but had their dreams dashed decided to return to settle in Visalia and start their families.Â
The incorporation of Visalia would not occur until 1874. The population of Visalia was estimated to be 141,384 according to the 2020 census, which makes it the fifth-largest city in the San Joaquin Valley.
Woodlake Lions Rodeo – This is an event that has been traditionally celebrated on Mother's Day weekend. This rodeo is a fun-filled weekend of professional bull-riding.
Visalia Craft Beer Festival – This is an annual event held in August and features some of the best breweries in the US. Such an event naturally comes with plenty of food and designated drivers.
Taste of Downtown Visalia – This event, held in October, celebrates the palate of downtown Visalia with over 30 restaurants and plenty of alcohol. The event also features live music as you make your way through the downtown area.
Sequoia National Park is less than an hour from Visalia and is host to a massive sequoia tree, plus many others. Aside from the stunning landscape and history of the park, there are also several activities visitors can enjoy, such as nearby skiing and snowboarding during the winter season, hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing year-round.
Located 51 miles from Visalia, we have Kings Canyon National Park, a sister park to Sequoia, and another park that is home to giant sequoia trees. Hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, and swimming are just a few of the family-friendly activities available here.
Pinnacles National Park personifies the jagged beauty of volcanic landscapes. Here you can see how volcanic eruptions have uniquely shaped the land with deep canyons. You can also see grasslands, woodlands, and enormous caverns. Some of the popular activities for visitors are bat cave explorations, trail hiking, and rock climbing. This park is 132 miles away from Visalia.
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is different from other state parks in the sense that the beauty it offers mainly relies on its rich history rather than nature. Here you can learn about the families that settled in the region to escape sharecropping practices and celebrate events such as Juneteenth.
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area State Park is mainly composed of 47 miles of shoreline along the lake. If you are looking to have fun in the water, then this state park is the one for you. Here you can enjoy activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing, along with hiking on the nearby trails.
Finally, we have the Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, a 4,800-acre region that was created to protect over 5,000 giant sequoia trees. The region is at a high elevation, which causes the state park to be chilly throughout the year. Here you can enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing.
If you are in Visalia, you may want to check out the Brix mansion landmark, which was built in 1911. This mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an authentic Italian villa in the region.
One of the best choices for RV parks in Visalia is the Visalia/Sequoia National Park KOA, which comes with all the amenities you can expect from a KOA park. It features 50 amp max plugs and showers for daily rates that hover around $100.
Sun & Fun RV Park is yet another good choice for accommodations as it offers 30/50 amp plugs, full hookups, showers, and pet access. Rates can be found when booking your reservation on their website.
We also have Club Royal Oak RV Resort, which features many of the amenities offered by other parks, such as 30/50 amp plugs, full hookups, showers, and pull-through sites. Additionally, it offers boat storage and other perks with rates starting at $49 per day.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Visalia, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Visalia?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Visalia from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Visalia?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
