Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau Newsletter

Greetings!

March is here!

Winter is almost over, and you can all but feel spring in the air. It's a magical time in Yosemite and Madera County, California's Gateway to Yosemite. Read on for fun things to do and ways to stay and play for less.

Sincerely,

Jarrod Lyman
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau

Lodging options abound

Book your vacation while rooms are available

One of the first questions someone asks when they start looking on a vacation is "Where can I stay?" That's
a question with many answers in Madera County: California's Gateway
to Yosemite.

Lodging options really are plentiful throughout the area, with full-service resorts, charming bed and breakfasts, affordable motels, rustic cabins and fully-furnished vacation rentals ready to host you and your family for a memorable vacation.

Each area of Madera County has various ways to stay and enjoy its offerings.

The small town of Ahwahnee is minutes from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park, and is the location of some beautiful bed and breakfasts surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Ahwahnee also has rental homes and cabins, for someone looking for enough space for a large group, or the feel of home away from home.

Ahwahnee B&B's
Ahwahnee Rental Homes and Cabins.

Bass Lake, a popular summer spot, with its ample outdoor recreational activities numerous lodging options, from full-service resorts, cabins and vacation rental homes. All of these great options are either right on or moments from the lake's shore, so you're never far from the fun.

Bass Lake Resorts/Hotels/Motels
Bass Lake Rental Homes and Cabins
Bass Lake RV Parks
Bass Lake Camping Info

Chowchilla is the smaller of the two incorporated valley communities. While it's known for the annual Chowchilla Stampede in April and its great golf course, its newest attraction is garnering the most attention, the Fossil Discovery Center. Chowchilla has excellent lodging options, located minutes from the museum and other fun things to see and do.

Chowchilla Resorts, Hotels and Motels
Chowchilla RV Resorts

Coarsegold is named for the precious metal found in the streams throughout the area. This small town is known for its unique events throughout the year as well as being the home of central California's largest Tribal Casino. You can browse the shops or learn the history at the local museum.

Coarsegold Resorts/Hotels/Motels
Coarsegold Inns and B&B's

Fish Camp is the last town before you get to Yosemite National Park, located just moments south of the entrance. This little village is home to a historic railroad and museum, beautiful inns and a popular resort.

Fishcamp Resorts/Hotels/Motels
Fishcamp Inns and B&B's
Fishcamp Rental Homes and Cabins

Madera is our county seat and hosts numerous attractions. Many of the wineries along the Madera Wine Trail are found in and around Madera.The city also boasts a wonderful art museum featuring the work of artists from throughout the county, as well as a beautiful historical museum showcasing Madera County's past. Lodging options abound as well. That, combined with Madera's central location to many California attractions, such as Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park, make it a great place to stay and play.

Madera Resorts/Hotels/Motels

Madera Ranchos is located east of Madera, and offers a scenic drive through beautiful farmland where you'll find numerous fields with old growth vineyards, almond and pistachio trees and much more. It's also home to some of the county's wineries so it's a definite must see while touring the area.

While Madera County has the benefit of being conveniently located in the center of California, North Fork holds the distinction as being the exact geographic center of our beautiful state. People can come enjoy this scenic historic logging town and be in the middle of it all. North Fork is also a popular starting point for those touring the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, an unbelievably beautiful day trip through the Sierra Nevada and Sierra National Forest.

North Fork Resorts/Hotels/Motels
North Fork Inns and B&B's

North Fork Rental Homes and Cabins

Oakhurst is the largest of the mountain communities in Madera County, and is full of fun attractions, dining opportunities, a winery and more. There are several museums, art galleries, a live theater and much more in this town. Guests heading to Yosemite often remark on how much there is to do in the region, and that they changed their plans to spend more time here. As far as lodging, you'll find everything from a deluxe five-diamond rated Inn to beautiful bed and breakfasts situated among the trees, offering beautiful views and relaxation.

Oakhurst Resorts/Hotels/Motels
Oakhurst Inns and B&B's
Oakhurst Rental Homes and Cabins
Oakhurst area RV Parks

O'Neals is located just a few minutes from other foothill communities like Coarsegold, North Fork and Oakhurst. While the tiny town has no lodging, the scenic drive is worth the trip, and it's also home to a popular winery.

Raymond is another small community without lodging but plenty of history and sights. The beauty of the rolling hills makes for a scenic drive, while the town's museum showcases amazing history from when everyone going to Yosemite had to come through Raymond.

Learn about the ladies of the Old West

Golden Chain Theatre to debut new show

Wild West Women, an historical drama, opens Friday, March 25 with a Dinner show at Golden Chain Theatre, Oakhurst

The Golden Chain Theatre, located 2 miles north of Oakhurst on Hwy 41 just 13 miles south of the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park, will be performing a special play on weekends from March 25 to Sunday, April 17. The play traces the contributions made by the many women who came west during and after the Gold Rush.

The narrator of the show is Charley Parkhurst (played by Pamela Rank), a stagecoach driver for 20 years, whose identity as a woman was only revealed after her death. Others in the picture are two pioneer women, Lotta Crabtree, a young entertainer; Narcissa Prentiss Whitman, the first white woman to cross the Rocky Mountains; Mary Todd Lincoln, and Cynthia Ann Parker, a white woman captured by the Comanche tribe as a child.

The play includes over 50 characters, famous, infamous, remembered and forgotten, portrayed by a dozen actresses.

The Golden Chain Theatre has cabaret-style seating and a fully licensed saloon with hot dogs and other light fare.

Opening night is Friday, March 25 with a special dinner show. Tickets for the show and dinner are $20. Regular tickets (without dinner) are:

Adults $12; Seniors $10; Students $8; children $6

Saturdays: 7:00pm Sundays: 2:00 pm

Reservations; 559 683-7112

Discounts Deals and Promotions

Stay and Play for less in Madera County

Bass Lake Vacation Rentals is "suffering" from a case of March Madness, and they want to pass the savings on to their guests

March Madness Special with 3 nights for the price of 2.

Make a fast break to Bass Lake and score a basket full of savings. Select your home from the team of participating properties. Tip off time is March 1, final quarter ends March 31. Call 559-642-3600. Other coming deals include:
Destination Imagination Special - 3 Nights for the price of 2 APril 6 - 11
Bass Lake Fishing Derby Special - 3 nights for the price of 2 April 28 - May 3
Bass Lake Classic Triathlon Special - 4 nights for the price of 3

May 31 - June 7

The Coarsegold Historical Society is gearing up for their annual Art, Dinner and Music in the Meadow event June 4. If you're an artist with skills in painting, sculpture, woodworking, sewing, weaving or anything else and would like to have your work displayed at this fun,

family-friendly event, contact Kay Good at 559-642-4242.

The Exhibitor Handbooks are available for the Chowchilla-Madera County Fair. Anyone desiring to participate competitively as a Chowchlla-Madera County Fair Exhibitor, such as 4-H and FFA members, gardeners, cooks, quilters, photographers, artists and others, can pick up a copy of the handbook at the fair office, www.chowchillafair.org, The Chowchilla News office, Chowchilla City Civic Center, Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses.
Deadlines, requirements and costs can all be found in the handbook. Entry forms can be found on the fair website or at the office.

For more information, contact the Chowchilla-Madera County Fiar at 559-665-3728 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm.

The annual 3-Day Spring Cooking Class at Erna's Elderberry House is just around the corner. Each day is filled with great new recipes, delicious menus, wonderful aromas ..... and joy! Chef Gunnar and his team would love to cook with you!

March 9th, 10th and 11th - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Click on Cooking Classes for all information

There is still space - the 'all inclusive' tuition is $1250.00

Or perhaps a half day cooking class....

A TASTE OF ITALY

Saturday, March 19th , 2011 8:30am-1:00pm in the kitchen

with lunch and wine tasting to follow $295.00 per person including lunch and wine tasting; Chef Gunnar Thompson explores the captivating techniques of handmade pasta and all the delectable sauces that go with them!

Please telephone Kate to book your class -

(559) 683-6800

Hilmar Cheese Company's "Taste of Spring" features new ice cream

Enjoy delicious complimentary cheese samples and taste gourmet foods at Hilmar Cheese Company's annual "Taste of Spring," Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. "We are excited to welcome McConnell's Master ice cream maker, Mr. Michael Vierra, to our Taste of Spring event," commented Dave Gonsalves, Visitor Center manager. "He will be sharing the McConnell's story and offering free ice cream samples."

The visitor center now features McConnell's ice cream. McConnell's is made in small batches using a few, all natural, ingredients. Only the freshest locally-sourced California dairy products and pure natural flavors are added to a modified "French pot" churning method to create dense, creamy textures and rich flavors. The product is Kosher and many of the flavors are gluten-free. The ice cream is certified that it uses only Real California Milk. Because the new ice cream is so much denser than most brands (less air), a scoop may visually look a bit smaller, but will actually contain more rich, creamy ice cream. Time Magazine touts "The best ice cream in the world, as anyone who has tried it will argue, is sold by McConnell's of Santa Barbara..."

The Visitor Center will always have the core favorite flavors like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry and will feature a variety of seasonal flavors to offer a total of sixteen flavors.

The Taste of Spring on April 16 will also have a cooking demonstration with local Mohini Indian Fusion at 11 am and 1 pm. At noon, "Daisy" the Hilmar Cheese Company cartoon cow character is going to help host a Family Fun Ice Cream Making tour and activity ($3 per person), bring a camera if you'd like a photo. Complimentary wine tasting (for those 21 and older) will be available from 11 am to 2:30 pm featuring local vintners. The Visitor Center's famous "Friday BBQ" featuring a barrel-smoked tri-tip sandwich with beans, potato salad a drink for $8 will be available. The Taste of Spring is a fun, family event.

The Visitor Center is located at 9001 N. Lander Avenue, just 4 miles from Highway 99 in Turlock on Highway 165/Lander Avenue. Phone 209-656-1196 or visit www.hilmarcheese.com for more information.

Ravensbrook Bed and Breakfast in Coarsegold announced their Vegas Close to Home special. Enjoy a concert at Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in March and return "home" to relax and continue the fun at Ravensbrook. March 10 11 and 12 features the "Legends in Concert", the longest running Las Vegas show, always guaranteed to please audiences of every generation. Brad Garrett of "Everybody Loves Raymond" fame performs his stand-up on March 26. Your Ravensbrook Innkeeper will purchase your tickets for you at a substantial savings, and there's even a round-trip shuttle to make your experience more pleasurable. Take advantage of low winter rates but the same high standards of Ravensbrook Hospitality. Book your getaway today at www.ravensbrook-Yosemite.com.

The Tenaya Lodge is looking to get your Easter off to a good start with a delicious Easter Brunch Buffet April 24. Click here for the full menu.

The Vineyard Restaurant in Madera is holding a Winemakers Dinner March 31 featuring Idle Hour Winery in Oakhurst. Taste the great wines from Winemaker Anna Marie dos Remedios, who has an outstanding collection of wines and a unique approach to winemaking. She uses all native yeasts, a practice that most winemakers avoid because it is less predictable than using purchased yeast. She has a low-touch philosophy of wine making that she calls "hands off winemaking". Anna Marie believes in letting the natural qualities of the grape show in the finished product. The Vineyard will be pairing 6 of her wines, including the best of class winning Tempranillo, with a selection of Chef Benjamin's creative foods. The Vineyard was also once again awarded the AAA Diamond award for the fourth year in a row.

Westbrook Wine Farm is participating in the Meet the Winemaker Dinner at Erna's Elderberry House.

Theme: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow -
Westbrook Wine Farm

Friday, April 15, 2011
Learn the history and secret of wines and enjoy riveting conversation with O'Neal's renowned and dynamic winemakers Mr. and Mrs. Ray and Tammy Krause.
Reception 6:30 pm
Dinner at 7:30
$135 will include menu, wines tax and gratuity

All reservations for this event must be secured by a 50% deposit on a credit card with 4- hour cancellation policy.

www.elderberryhouse.com

California

Wildflowers!

Bring a copy of this coupon to the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau for a free packet of California Wildflower seeds, and take a litte piece of Califonia scenery home with you!

Offer Expires: March 31