THINGS TO DO - Events and Entertainment

There are so many local events going in the mountains throughout the year that it is hard to keep up with them all! There are car and craft shows, rodeos, parades, holiday festivals, fishing derbies, music festivals, chocolate and wine festivals, art gallery events, Highland games, foot and bicycle races, fine culinary workshops and classes, writer's conventions and workshops, museums, and those really fun, simply quirky mountain events like the Coarsegold Tarantula Festival or The North Fork Fall Follies. It's not possible to track it all, but I do my best, adding links to this page whenever I hear of anything new going on!

Plan your next trip to the mountains based around  some of these events, or if you're a local, just check in and find out what's going on! So enjoy browsing through the links below and don't hesitate to let me know if you hear of any new event for the area that should be displayed here. Call me on my cell 559-676-1901 or email me at kiki@basslakerealty.com.

*******************************************************

Click the Links Below to find out more about things to do in Yosemite Area!

Antique Hunting: If you love to look for antiques and collectibles you may be surprised by how many stores there are in the mountains. I'm building a webpage of store addresses (not yet available), but if you find one store, most carry a printed guide to all the local antique stores. Many are unassuming little places that it would be easy to drive right by without having any idea how big the store actually is or how many interesting items you can find!

Bass Lake Boating: If you enjoy canoeing, fishing, water-skiing, jet-skis, or just want to party on a patio boat, you'll want to know how to find rentals. Click the link to find the three main rental companies, their prices and availability!

Children's Museum of the Sierra: Inexpensive fun for kids on a rainy day, or kids who are tired of hiking with Mom and Dad. A fun thing to do with kids up to about age 10 (actually, my 13 year-old still loves it too). Costumes, rock collection, theatrical stage, medical center, emergency vehicles, magnets, plants, animals, fossils, books, light-sensitive wall, radios, old fashioned bank teller's booth, plus much more, and last but not least: a party room!

Chukchansi Casino: Chukchansi is the area's newest casino, and closest to Yosemite. It is located on just off Hwy 41 about 3 miles south of the historic town of Coarsegold. If you really like to gamble and don't mind a longer drive, you can also check out the Table Mountain Casino and the Mono Wind Casino closer to Fresno.

Concerts at Coolwater Ranch: Coolwater Ranch endeavors to provide an intimate, comfortable environment in which to hear the absolute finest in acoustic music. Concerts are limited to 60, and are held ~ once every month or two. Check the website for times and concert details.

Cooking Classes at Erna's Elderberry House: Yes we do have a truly 5 star hotel, restaurant, and spa in Oakhurst. If you've got the money, don't wait. If you don't have the money, save up and go - it's amazing. For the those who enjoy practicing the culinary arts, they offer cooking classes on Saturdays with Chef Karsten Hart.

Golden Chain Theater: Cornball melodrama and a ton of fun. Make a night of it with family and friends!

Madera County Arts Council Calendar Most of the smaller town arts councils belong to this one, so it's a fairly comprehensive calendar. 

Madera County Wine Trail: Some of these wineries are up in the mountains, more are down in the valley, but it's an easy thing to do as a day trip. Many are open year 'round, and 3 times a year there are major wine trail events, with tastings, music, food, and limos for hire.

Mariposa Wineries: If you drive into Yosemite on Hwy 41 and drive out on 49, you may enjoy stopping to do some wine tasting on the way!

Oakhurst Movie Theater (The Met, and Met Too)   Five full screens.... Okay, it's small. But it's the only movie theater around unless you drive down to Fresno, and you won't pay an arm and a leg to take the family to the movies. Popcorn and all the trimmings too!

Sugar Pine Narrow Gauge Railroad: Go take a ride on the Sugar Pine! A ton of fun, and the food's good too!

Wawona Pioneer History Center: It's fascinating if you like history. It's fun if you like costumes! It's great if you like horses and covered bridges! Go for an hour or two, and the kids will love you for it, especially if you stop and swim in the river somewhere during the day!

Yosemite Area Events Calendar: A good overview of local events in Oakhurst, Coarsegold, and North Fork, including festivals, arts fairs, concerts, rubber ducky races, antique car shows, etc.

The OTHER side of Yosemite: If you're traveling north through Yosemite Valley, you might want to know what's going on as you head out of the park going north up towards Groveland, Sonora and Columbia. Hotel Charlotte maintains an extensive calendar and a good reputation!