The San Joaquin Valley is the main agricultural center of California. Crops of all shapes and sizes are grown here, from citrus to grapes to cotton. Highway 99 through most of the Valley follows the Union Pacific Railroad (formerly the Southern Pacific Railroad). Each town along the highway has its claim to fame, such as Selma – the Raisin Capital of the World or Winton – the Town We’re “Nuts” About. The highway is also a jump-off point for such places as Yosemite National Park and the Mother Lode Country.
Stanislaus County
Modesto Arch
“Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health”
Over I St at Front St in Modesto, CA
Constructed in 1912, this arch has remained a landmark along old US Highway 99 ever since. It was modified a little due to roadway widening in 1934 and rehabilitated in 2012.
Turlock Historical Society Museum
108 S Center St, Turlock, CA 95380
(209) 668-7386
Merced County
Livingston Historic Museum
1306 C St, Livingston, CA 95334
(209) 394-2376
Home to the last traffic signal on 99 between Los Angeles and Sacramento, moved here in 1996. The museum has information about local history and agriculture.
Atwater Historical Society
1020 Cedar Ave, Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6309
Castle Air Museum
5050 Santa Fe Dr, Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 723-2178
Applegate Park Zoo
1045 W 25th St, Merced, CA 95340
(209) 725-3337
Madera County
The Pine and the Palm
In the median of Highway 99 south of Madera
Just north of Fresno, 1.75 miles south of Ave 12, and 2.1 miles north of Ave 9 (or more specifically at 06-MAD-99-05.7), there lies a pine tree and a palm tree in the median of Highway 99. It has been there for many years and marks the former halfway point along US 99 in California. The Palm Tree, a Canary Island Date Palm, represents Southern California and the Pine Tree, a Deodor Cedar, represents Northern California. A few years ago, the pine tree fell down but was replaced by Caltrans as this is a somewhat historic marker.
Madera Wine Trail
Around Madera, CA
Small collection of wineries in the Madera area that offer wine tastings and more. Some have been in operation for nearly 100 years. Wines range from some of the best ports in California to sweet muscats. Be sure to stop by Quady Winery for a wine slushy.
Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County
19450 Ave 21 1/2, Chowchilla, CA
(559) 665-7107
Small museum featuring fossils from the Middle-Pleistocene (780,000 ka) Mammoth, Smilodon, Sloth, Dire Wolf, Camel and Horse are just a few of the 15,000 fossils found at Fairmead. This museum is also working to restore the former Giant Orange that was located adjacent to Highway 99 at Fairmead.
Fresno County
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
894 W Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
(559) 498-5910
This zoo, located in Roeding Park adjacent to the Belmont Traffic Circle, has grown from a small collection of donated animals to one of the premier zoos in the Central Valley.
Forestiere Underground Gardens
5021 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93722
(559) 271-0734
Work began on the gardens in the early 1900’s and is today an open-air museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This place is a wonderful side-trip from Historic 99 and worth the visit. Tour times vary, so make sure to call or check out their website for details.
Tulare County
Bravo Farms
36005 Highway 99, Traver, CA 93673
(559) 897-5762
Along an old alignment of US 99 in Traver, this place has it all. They have a great restaurant, large gift shop, and plenty of chocolates and candies to enjoy. Walk around the grounds and see their large sign collection.
Tulare Historical Museum
444 W Tulare Ave, Tulare, CA 93274
World Ag Expo
4500 S Laspina St, Tulare, CA 93274
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
4011 Grant Dr, Earlimart CA 93219
(661) 849-3433
Kern County
Kern County Museum
3801 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 437-3330
Museum covering the history of Bakersfield and Kern County with a small collection of historic buildings and a replica of the Chester Ave Clocktower, the original being severely damaged in the 1952 Arvin / Tehachapi earthquake.
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and Science
2018 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 324-6350
Come learn about the geologic and paleontological history of the greater Kern County! Exhibits include sharks teeth, dinosaurs, and more.
Bakersfield Arch
Sillect Ave at Buck Owens Blvd
Built in 1949 as a pedestrian bridge connecting two sides of the Bakersfield Inn over Union Avenue (old US 99). The arch was moved to its current location and rehabilitated in 1999.
California Living Museum (CALM)
10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93306
(661) 872-2256
See bears, condors, and more!
Ft Tejon State Historic Park
Exit 210 on I-5 in Grapevine Canyon
Old US Army fort that was in use from 1854 to 1864. Beautiful spot in the canyon filled with many centuries-old oak trees.
Ridge Route Communities Museum and Historical Society
3515 Park Dr, Frazier Park, CA 93525
(661) 245-7747
The Ridge Route Communities Historical Society is dedicated to collecting and preserving the history and artifacts in the mountains south of Bakersfield and north of Castaic. Our area of research is from Wheeler Ridge on the north to below Pyramid Lake on the south, east to Neenach in the West Antelope Valley, and west to Lockwood-Ozena areas.
A limited display of photos and items from the areas history may be viewed in the museum’s exhibit room and extensive files, covering every subject known to the mountain communities, are available for visitors to view and research.