Visit Yosemite | Madera County is a great first stop for those planning to visit Yosemite National Park. The visitor center in Oakhurst provides helpful information and friendly staff with extensive knowledge of the area and current conditions. Despite potential crowds, visitors can enjoy the chance to stretch their legs and get some fresh air before heading into the park. This stop can be particularly useful for tourists facing language barriers or seeking last-minute updates for a safe and smooth visit to Yosemite Valley.
Wow! Truly awe inspiring scenery and so vast. We were lucky to be allowed into the area as it was due to close because of flooding fears because of the melting snow. I am so glad we got there it is breath taking and a place that will stay in my heart forever
Jo Moss — Google review
If you are going to visit Yosemite National Park, this should be your first stop. These folks are super friendly with vast knowledge of the area and current conditions. They can help nail down the last minute changes so your visit goes safe and smoothly and you have a much better visit.
Darvin Atkeson — Google review
THE BEST tourist information place we have ever been to. I feel bad I can't remember if the wonderful lady who helped us was Louise or Phyllis. Going with Louise. Such a great source of information all about Yosemite Park and things we should do both inside and ouside the park. Gave us trail information, the best waterfalls to see, hikes to take and camping options. We never get such great information at most other info places. Highly reccomend this as a stop on your way into the park. THANKS!!!!!
Phred S. — Google review
It can get crowded but it was cold and had snow flurries in the afternoon we're there so the crowd's a little thin which is nice
al roman — Google review
Right in the middle of Oakhurst (south gate to Yosemite) cute little town visitor center. Honestly, nothing I couldn't find online as far as park info goes, but I didn't feel my time was wasted. Maybe more helpful for tourists with a language barrier. I enjoyed the chance to stretch my legs and get some fresh air with still more than one hour until we reached Yosemite Valley.
Kelly Andreasen — Google review
This is an exceptionally friendly and outgoing organization and welcome center. They will not steer you wrong. They know their home region and are eager to share it's highlights with you.
Mark Ryan — Google review
A place to be included in your "I don't die without visiting it". Incredible masterpiece of nature!!
O R O — Google review
One of the most beautiful natural treasure we have in the great USA!
Bette DelGrosso — Google review
Not kid friendly. My five year old son grabbed a slingshot that he wanted us to buy for him, old lady with the glasses goes over snatches it out of his hands just to put it back on the shelve and tells him, “ This is not to play with.” First time coming to this center and my kids get treated poorly. Will not be going back.
Llandely Guzman — Google review
In a class by itself. Winter is a great time to visit if roads are clear.
John Meng-Frecker — Google review
Had an awesome time, perfect weather, not crowded at all!
Teresa Edwards — Google review
was beautiful although trails are alot of walking but mirror lake was a bit of a disappointment
South Gate Brewing Company is a cozy and inviting gastropub that boasts an industrial-chic decor. This establishment prides itself in serving up locally sourced pub fare as well as a wide selection of craft beers. The menu is unique and showcases creative dishes that surpass those typically found at brewery restaurants. While the wait time may be long due to crowds of tourists and locals, patrons can grab a beer while waiting for their table.
the wait was painfully long but at least the food was good. you could also grab a beer as you wait for a table. the fried brussel sprouts were superb. pub fish n chips were fresh and battered and fried with pillowy softness. pizza was good with a giant heap of arugula? good beer options - ales n stouts.
Fei Yu — Google review
Not going to lie, this place is BUsY. Be prepared to wait 30min to an hour. The Brussels sprouts were the best. The main meal not so much. I ordered the shrimp tacos and my wife ordered the black bean burger. Both arrived cold. Not hot or warm but cold. Heather our waiter was amazing. I understand the place was packed. But having to eat cold food on a cold and freezing night didn’t go well for me. The food was average. I probably won’t go back. But I will encourage people to at least try this place out once.
Gurpreet Singh — Google review
A coworker down in Fresno recommended I check out South Gate. The beer is refreshing. The food actually had me licking my fingers, Very Flavorful. Staff was awesome and very welcoming. South Gate took care of me on my first visit and I'm thankful for that experience. Can't wait to return!!
Sebastian Baraj5 — Google review
Happily surprised to find this gem. This is absolutely a place to visit if you find yourself in the outskirts of Yosemite. My family and I decided to stay a few days outside of the busy Valley crowds and opted for Oakhurst, CA. A small mountain town with big city feel when it comes to food options. You have everything from Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, smoked BBQ Food, including local spots like South Gate Brewing company!!! All staff members are diamonds. From the host to our waiter who was literally running the dining area all by himself! - quick side note, our food was delayed more than usual which was no fault of our waiter but rather short staff which is not unusual in these Covid-19 times. He did something I don't often see, he made no excuses or blamed the kitchen. He continued giving us great customer service. That's a true champion in my book.
The beer is amazing. So amazing I took 8 24oz cans the night before we left town... only trouble was we couldn't find a cooler to bring it back in. I made it work though. Thank you Vons for carrying cooler bags.
Can't wait to have my friends try the Old Town Pecan Brown and The Blonde!
Keep up the good job and be sure to stop by and say hello to all the staff.
Ruben Gonzalez — Google review
The food and beer were good 😊😊. We had the beer & cheese pretzel, crispy fried brussel sprouts, the black bean burger and last but not the least beet & ricotta salad. Will surely recommend. They have outside seating as well but with the heat we were sweaty..
Janaki V — Google review
Good food and brews. A bit pricey for what it is, and be prepared to wait in line when it’s busy - we stopped by to pick up a late lunch on Memorial Day weekend. The Salmon salad was excellent, as was the garlic fries and award winning pecan beer. The Philly cheesesteak and fish tacos were good.
Ed Oyama — Google review
Very professional staff. The food was great! We went during rush hour and we still got great service. The servers came for refills a couple of times and we had a great time.
Only downside was the waiting area beer sale. Firstly, they did not have contactless payments, so I needed to pull out my physical credit card. Having to pull out a physical credit card and then signing a receipt leads to a very negative effect on the buying experience. Secondly, they expected me to tip for it? I stood in line at a window, picked my own beer, and took it to my table myself.
As consumers, we really should raise our voices against the OUT-OF-HAND Tipping culture.
Utsav Jain — Google review
We got the fish & chips, which were pretty good, the peaches and cream burger, which was a little dry, and the BBQ wings, which I enjoyed. Their root beer was good, too.
Service was decent since we went during lunch and the place was not that busy. We were part of a big group and were able to be seated almost immediately. I heard that's not the case during dinner when it's a little busier.
If you're part of a big group, they'll only seat you when your group is complete. I heard some really rude stories from the other locals. Be warned.
Elizabeth Cortez — Google review
Welcome to our local brewery ✌️🖐️
The folks at Southgate work hard crafting some fine beers. They import ingredients from all over the world. The selection is great, there are a few good wines and they make the bomb hand crafted rootbeer.
Aside from the alcohol, The food is quite good. It isn't what you would call healthy, but it is very tasty. I am very happy to see the Bang Mi sandwich back. If you're unfamiliar with this Vietnamese classic sandwich give it a try. The jalapenos can be spicy depending, but you can pull those out very easily. It's a neat treat to have this internationally known sandwich available in my little mountain town.
The burgers are huge, The pizzas are very creative and yummy. The specials can be very special indeed. I would love to see them bring back the breaded pork chop they had a few years ago. It was ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I try and post menus as most restaurants up here aren't great at updating them online.
Enjoy my beautiful home town and Happy trials on your adventures in food and life.
Oliver of Oakhurst
Oliver — Google review
Great brew pub to stop off at on the road to Yosemite. They have a diverse beer menu with some decent in-house brews. I wasn’t too stoked on them but we came for the food.
The food was excellent, well cooked with good flavor. This should be high on your list if you stay over in Oakhurst.
Tyler S — Google review
Stayed in Oakhurst on our way to Yosemite and decided on the South Gate Brewing Co for dinner. Had to wait 40 minutes for a table because it was so busy, but service was relatively quick once we were seated. I ordered the fish tacos and got 3 large tacos that were very tasty. My dad ordered the fish and chips plate, which was also a good size; he said the fish was very good and the fries were crispy but only warm instead of hot. Prices were decent, not cheap but not overly pricey.
Melanie Vega — Google review
Staff were friendly and responsive, food was excellent, fresh and hot (loved the cod tacos). We also enjoyed the house made root beer!
Lydia Anne — Google review
Definitely the greatest restaurant around here. We stayed at Yosemite for 4 days and this restaurant was definitely a highlight. Prices were decent for the top of a mountain. And their French fries were to die for. Definitely would come here again.
Dabee Climber — Google review
We came here after spending the morning at Mariposa grove at Yosemite.
We didn’t have a booking and we’re lucky to be seated in a few mins. They had a great selection of beers and the food was really good as well.
I had the Smoked Ribeye which was cooked perfectly and the jam/relish that came with it complimented it very well.
Enough vegetarian options as well as my wife is a vegetarian. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their food. A great place to stop by for good food and drinks!
EatDrink TravelReview — Google review
Ordered take out and it was great! They offer Growlers to-go in various sizes and they make for a great souvenir. The pizza is delicious and the garlic fries are a perfect side. We enjoyed this meal!
Aide Osuna — Google review
We went to South Gate Brewing Company for a late night dinner. The place was packed, just like any good place there was some waiting time before we could be seated.
Food was good, I had ordered a veggie burger, wife ordered a veggie sandwich, and kids ordered chicken tenders. All items were great. They have a very great selection of beer. I ordered an IPA which I like so ended up asking them if they sell them in cans, to my surprise they did.
We had a good time.
Nirav Dhamsania — Google review
Overcharged for the Green Harvest Pizza (by $1, listed at $17, charged $18). Must be a regular upcharge for non-local patrons from reading the other negative reviews. Restaurant integrity is important for repeat business and/or for reviews, in this case we would never return as sadly the food was very, very BLAND albeit also very fresh (& organic from the local Kern Farm).
Roasted Beet & Ricotta Salad would've been good if there was a detectable dressing asides from just lemon all over it. Advice for the owners; for the "in-house made ricotta" in this salad just buy it from a supplier. Your ricotta was super mushy, needs to be strained for a longer time.
The Green Harvest Pizza was ok. Crust was fairly good, toppings nothing memorable or tasty about them asides from the fresh arugula.
The Pacific Cod Fish Tacos were ok. We got them grilled as other patrons' fried dishes were frighteningly very dark brown indicative of old reused oil, a health hazard, should be a healthier golden color. Frying oil needs to be changed very often. Nothing memorable about the tacos. Salsa Verde contributed absolutely nothing to this dish. So BLAND. Disappointed. Memories of amazing fish tacos in Hawaii fading fast :(
The house made "Gold Digger Blonde Ale" was very good. The "in-house root beer" is just terrible, super bitter with a paltry aftertaste and not enough carbonation. The water was 1000x better, just get the water.
Our waitress was nice. Both of the gentlemen staff (wait staff/food to table delivery staff) were lovely and so courteous, thank you to them.
We could not believe such high ratings for the food at this restaurant (?). If you're leaving paid for and/or fake upsell reviews, shame on you. If this food is 5 stars to your palette, my condolences.
Y&N — Google review
Prolly the best meal I had in the USA. We had to wait 45 min to be seated as it was very busy. With quality that good, i am not surprised and i would wait t again and again.
They also had a big selection of beers both on tap and cans. The was plenty of parking available and there was even a playground outside for kids.
If you are in Oakhurst or in yosemite national park, this is the place to have your dinner. I cannot recommend it enough!
Nikolas Konstantinou — Google review
The beer was good, but the food was a joke for me. Maybe, I ordered the unpopular food.
I probably won’t visit for a meal again.
Gatsby Lee — Google review
The beer and burgers are good quality. Beer is around $7-8 and the buggers are $18-19. Very tasty. There was an NFL game on when we visited so sitting in the bar area was a little loud but wouldn't stop me from going back. Friendly service.
Adam Wright — Google review
Food: Pepperoni pizza and Pork Belly Banh Mi Wraps
Drinks: Cheer Crush, One and Done IPA, 1864 Amber Lager, Midnight Boogie Stout, Deadwood Porter, and Honey Badger Ale.
We are outside visitors in search for a Brewery. Everything was delicious and we recommend you try the above items.
Chateau du Sureau is a luxury hotel situated near Yosemite National Park with an European fairy tale feel, featuring a majestic stone turret, manicured gardens, and cozy interiors. With nine acres of lush grounds and opulent accommodations, it's the perfect getaway for romance fanatics seeking a tranquil retreat in close proximity to one of America's most popular national parks.
Staying here for 24 hours really felt like a dream. So beautiful, so luxurious, and the staff was all so kind and wonderful. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb amongst everything so fancy but the staff never ever treated us like we didn’t belong.
Brittany Van Horne — Google review
Expensive, but great place to stay. It was very unique and antique.
I loved their daily breakfast the most.
Their goal seems to make me feel that i was home.
The public living room was beautiful as well especially with the morning sunlight.
When i left from the hotel, I ordered two sandwiches. I guess it was $25 for each with snacks and OJ. It was good as well.
It is worth to stay at least once in my life :)
Gatsby Lee — Google review
Amazing venue, absolutely lovely host, ideal location great food would very highly recommend to couples.
So enjoy it! You'll be pleased to have visited here.
Travel Pro 19 T — Google review
Five stars is perfect. Our experience was very good, but not perfect. I would not come back in October again, which is unfortunate since it is our anniversary month. A nice gentleman greeted us as we arrived and showed us to our room. Took care of our bags etc. Then promptly announced to us that we could adjust the temperature in the room, however the cool setting had been switched to heat. So no air-conditioning. I found this very strange since the entire week was +90°F. I don't stay at hotels unless there's air-conditioning because of asthma. The room was so hot and uncomfortable all day, and into the night, did not cool down until 4 AM. Had to sleep with windows open and the traffic noise was unbearable as were the bright lights outside. To make matters worse, the mattress was in desperate need of replacement. Springs popping through to my back and a sink hole on the right side. Overall, the room was in moderate condition with stains on the carpet, broken blinds and windows that were broken and would not open. If not, for the room and air conditioning situation, our stay was very pleasant. Has mentioned in another review nearly 2 years ago, the gazebo on the nature trail is in a deteriorating state with shingles missing, etc. There are garden lights throughout the grounds that are broken and laying flat....Things that would not have been tolerated when Erna was here. Hopefully the new owners will address these issues soon as eventually they will compound, and reflect very poorly on the château
Tanya Estes — Google review
Stayed once two years ago (just pre-COVID) for an anniversary trip (loved every moment), but this review is for our trip last night!
After a last-minute decision not to drive home after Yosemite, we called the Château to check availability around 3pm. The only room available was the INCREDIBLE salon suite in the Villa. They were very generous to let us bring our toddler (this was a very spontaneous night), and could not have been more accommodating.
I loved staying in the château last time, but the Villa, in all it’s turn of the century antique glory, is the coolest.
Jessica Olsen — Google review
What a wonderful oasis near Yosemite! My wife and I were continually surprised and impressed by the service and thoughtfulness. We truly felt like we were at a French chateau when it was really just three hours from the Bay Area.
We brought our sometimes anxious pup and loved the little paths through the trees to walk her. They brought us dinner in the room as we requested so we could stay with our dog.
We tried to go up to Yosemite for sunrise but the air quality made visibility difficult. That said, one of the hostesses recommended bass lake as an alternative. This ended up being a great recommendation. We rented a small boat from Miller’s landing and did a sunset cruise.
We also stayed during a heat wave (102 both days) the ac worked like a charm!
If you’re looking for a luxurious stay in the mountains this is a great option!
Emily Ashton — Google review
I would give the service at the hotel a 10, if I could. We were greeted by our own personal concierge, Skylar, who immediately took us around the property, took our bags to the room and brought us a welcome snack. The personal touches were unreal. Highly recommend to anyone who wants a special experience!!
Christine Evans — Google review
I only viewed the common areas, I did not stay the night here. I ate dinner at the restaurant, which is separated from the chateau by a small garden. I highly recommend the restaurant, The Elderberry House. However, they also offer a concierge service to stock your fridge if you’d like.
Chateau du Sureau was created by a woman from Austria in 1984. Her and her family lived near Yosemite and wanted to open a fine dining and luxury hotel in the middle of nowhere. It’s a place of elegance, much different than its surroundings 🎑
Erin Duffy — Google review
Just wow. While the grounds were beautiful and the food was delicious the real star of the Chateau is the staff. We have been all over the world and to plenty of other 5-star hotels, but we've never received as superb service as we did here. Every single staff member was friendly, polite, professional, and my favorite: attentive to detail. Thank you all so much for the perfect weekend.
Jesse S — Google review
If I could live here forever I would. This property is simply perfect. The amenities, staff, food, are all 10/10.
Tyler Zarzeka — Google review
Perfection in its details at this charming property. Rooms are clean and the property is well maintained. 5 stars for going the extra mile to make guests feel like home. Breakfast was healthy and tasty - loved the variety. Service surpass some of the best in Europe. Keep it up
A C — Google review
Not sure where to start with this but it was SIMPLY STUNNING ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
We knew within the first 5 minutes that our stay here would be special. The staff were the most accommodating and attentive I have ever seen.
We had the pleasure of staying in room 2 on the ground floor and it was superb. Although it had a smaller bed than other rooms, we were told that it was this way as it matched the huge cupboard in the room. It didn’t make a difference to us as the bathroom was spectacular (never had som many baths in my life), the bed was the most comfy I’ve ever been and the whole decor was incredible.
Each day we’d have incredible breakfasts (main breakfast changes daily, croissants and option of Lemon Tart, Granola and Cheese/Charcuterie stays the same every day) along with a variety of whatever drink you’d like. We were lucky enough to stay for 4 nights so tried everything - our favourite was the hits cheese omelette with mushrooms and asparagus.
We would disappear each day and when we came back the staff would have made the room immaculate again (and I mean immaculate), felt like living a millionaires life. It’s about 30 mins from Mariposa Grove of Sequoias, 1hr 30 from Yosemite Curry Village (El Cap, Mist Trail, Mirror lake) and knowing we were coming back to paradise made this treks a bit easier.
SPOILER ALERT - if you want to keep the surprises they do a secret, stop reading now.
They did little touches which made the stay extra special like different chocolates / messages on the bed each night, a bottle of wine for you upon arrival, bottled water each day by your bed and a few others as well.
We were fortunate enough to meet the general manager as well and she gave us her experience of the 11 years she’s had so far (she really epitomises everything this Chateau stands for), was a fascinating insight and even got a look in the spa (would have gone had we had longer).
The gardens are worth a walk through, lovely Bocce ball area, a pagoda if you want to read in the shade and a large chess set as well.
I cannot recommend this place highly enough, it’s a special place and will make your holiday. It made ours
B S — Google review
this was one of our favorite hotel stays EVER! this place is perfect. super dog friendly & they served us multi course meals in our mint room. they even accommodated our gluten free & dairy free requests with ease. there is literally nothing you can ask they won’t accommodate. the kindest staff, sweetest service, & best food we’ve had on vacation for a loooong time. we spent christmas there & it was decorated so cute! also did the elderberry body scrub treatment as a couple & it was so relaxing. didn’t even go to the park, we were perfectly content by the fireplace the whole time :) 10/10 would recommend & attend again!
The Golden Chain Theatre is a historic attraction in Oakhurst, located along the scenic Route Highway 49. Established in 1967, it was created to attract tourists visiting Yosemite Park and exploring the Gold Rush Trail. The theatre offers entertainment and cultural experiences for visitors to enjoy as part of their exploration of the area's rich history and charm.
This was a great night of fun for my family! It was an early Christmas gift for my mother. A date night with my boys. A unique experience that we will continue to do. They loved "Shawn Williams" segments. The best was incorporating the Charlie Brown Special in and sharing the true meaning of Christmas. They all did had wonderful show!Thank you. 🎄🙏❤ Merry Christmas.
Rebekah Watson — Google review
Awesome plays!
We have seen a few, and the recent production of sound of music was incredible!
We get food at El Cid, and ice cream at Reimer's, before the show, then sit tight for the experience.
Arrive early for parking.
Carlson Vernon — Google review
I've definitely, over the last few years, become a huge supporter of our local theater. Such talent in this community!!! I will happily go back and support them at least three to four times per year. It's become a very therapeutic getaway for sure. Mandatory on your bucket list!!
YoNeO — Google review
Such a fun little theater. We saw Shrek the Musical there and it was awesome! The actors were very good, the singing was great. A very professional production and performance.
Jeff Petersen — Google review
Came into this beautiful town to visit national park, and saw this on things to do locally, and last nights play was amazing!!!!!! Great vocals, great theatrical play!
Victoria Jimenez — Google review
Went to see "Hunchback of Notre Dame". We were in town on vacation and an actor recommended the play. We were extremely impressed for community theater. The kids that performed prior to show were very talented. The prices were reasonable for show, and drinks and snacks were good.
Holly Bowen — Google review
Fiddler on the roof was the best performance I’ve ever seen!!!!! My birthday was March 31st and I decided to take my husband and my 82 yr old mom to see the play because it was a huge part of my childhood…..they did not miss a beat from the original movie!!!! I feel blessed to have such outstanding actors in a little mountain town!!! They deserve to be in Hollywood making big bucks!!! I support them every season BUT this performance was beyond what I imagined!!! Exceptional!!!!
Murielle Chocron — Google review
We saw Cafe Mocha Murders and it was a great play! The theater itself was clean and the staff were super friendly and professional. A great experience!
Jennifer W — Google review
This theater is awesome. I have seen several shows here and even performed here a few times. I absolutely love it. It has really come a long way, especially with the sound and lighting. I highly recommend seeing a show here and supporting this amazing place!
Dexter Morgan — Google review
As a local theatre with a long history, this group is amazing.....and professional and GCT eraned tge award for Best Live Theatre in the central calley! If you are looking for great live theatre, this is the place. If you are looking to hone your craft on stage, this is also the place! Come check it out!!
Rob B. — Google review
This is a hard review for me to write. I say this because, I absolutely love this small town theater concept. The theater is absolutely darling. Charming antique furniture and accessories line the hallway entrance. The theater itself, reminds me of a renovated barn. The stage is really big as well. Seldom do theaters at this level, have such a tremendous area to work with. They did a great job with prop design and the actors... the actors were incredible! Such talent! The food, which was catered by a local cafe, was flavorful and rich. All of these things make it difficult for me to be critical in any way, but...... the theater was cold. Most people needed to wear their jackets by the time dinner arrived. We arrived at 615, doors open at 6, the appetizers were completely gone. It would have been nice to bring them out periodically on trays. There was one hot tray being walked around but by the time it got to us, there were only 3 apps left. The drinks from the bar seemed to be a concoction of whatever was available at that time. I could have dealt with all of these things if it were not for the one big thing that happened that I absolutely cant ignore. When I made my reservations, I selected seats side by side with my hubby. We don't get a lot of alone time together and this seemed like it was going to be a great night for us. And we knew there would be others at our table but we would have at least been able to focus on us, if we were side by side.When we were seated though, they had changed our seating. We were seated across from each other between two other couples. We couldn't hear each other talk, and, honestly, I really wasn't interested in hearing the other couples conversations. I am a bit more tolerable but, this was the end all for my hubby. We looked forward to this night. We didnt say anything because the other couples were used as a part of the show. It is something that should have been considered before changing up seating without permission from paying guests. That was disappointing. I am torn by whether we will be back. As much as I love certain things, the last issue I spoke of, may be the deal breaker. We drove an hour to come to this and l left with a very irritated hubby that I spent the rest of the evening apologizing to, for thinking this was going to be a great night for just the two of us to enjoy.
Mandy Kirby — Google review
We saw the ads for You’re a good man, Charlie Brown and my mother was ecstatic as she had missed the play when in her local (Helena) theatre. The venue is lovely and lively with a little snack shop and limited bar.
The props were awesome and nostalgic. It was great to see so many kids of all ages engaged in the pre show.
Actors were top notch. The staff was wonderful. The set up for seating is a little weird and I had mistaken two seats that “looked” together but were at adjoining tables. When we arrived, they had already noticed and had a plan in place.
I thank you for your care!
Claudia Yaya Small — Google review
I have been to 3 different performances here and they are amazing. So fun, great acting and singing. Stage design is beautiful. A small town theatre done with a lot of heart. They have programs for kids as well. My grandson fell in love with the theatre program. He joined in and loved going each and every time. No complaints. Never once did he say, " do i have to go today". The teachers were compassinate and talented. I would recommend sttending one of their shows. You will not be disappointed.
lynn Galloway — Google review
Very nice theater, large stage, passionate performance. This was my first time to visit this theater and I was very impressed. We saw "Oliver." Characters: Fagen, The Dodger, and Nancy stole the show with their outstanding performances. It was a lengthy musical but was delivered well by all. Stage props were good and the story was easy to follow. I really enjoyed this musical and am anxious to attend another one. I will be sure to select a chair in the front section that faces the stage rather than sitting sideways at a long table and having to look around the people in front of me. If you want to be genuinely entertained by some passionate actors, and support a local theater, attend a show at the Golden Chain. You won't be disappointed.
Debbie Tjerrild — Google review
Wow what a little gem in the mountains. We came for the drive in Melodrama and were pleasantly surprised. Well performed and good priduction given the outside circumstances. I hope this drive in becomes an annual summer series. Can't wait to see Mary Poppins
Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen is a popular spot offering wine tasting and a variety of dining experiences. The winery hosts lunch on Thursdays through Saturdays, Sunday brunch, and a monthly three-course supper club with wine pairings. The innovative menu features dishes like carpaccio with quail egg and arugula foam, as well as lemon cake with olive oil.
Fantastic hidden gem. Look out for the asphalt road down the hill on the left. They are improving the entire establishment, us locals love this special place. Award winning wines, wonderful owners and the nicest staff in Oakhurst.
The food at this quaint little restaurant and world class winery will surprise you. The chef puts together some wonderful local ingredients creating delightful dishes that inspire the best cooks to be better.
The Orange and Honey salad was one of the best salads I've ever had in a restaurant. I had just a taste of it with my Italian panini.
Let yourself enjoy a break from the normal
Oliver — Google review
This place is truly a hidden gem in the mountains. We had a delicious and wonderful dinner here with a really great staff and wine! I believe Jamie was the waitress we had and they were extremely helpful and friendly. The wine was great, a lot of grape varietals I enjoy that they made into blends which was refreshing to try. We had a few shareables, all really yummy and then the ribeye as our main meal, also great. We then shared the special dessert, a fresh apple pie—so good!! They also have some house cats on the property that were very friendly and made the place feel more homely. Wish we had come earlier to do a tasting but highly suggest coming for dinner, fresh and delicious!!
Julia Bell — Google review
Delicious, amazing, definitely go if you are anywhere close! We were staying at the Queen’s Inn and I’m so glad we choose to have dinner here. Service was great in addition to the food. Price seemed very reasonable, we paid just over $100 for appetizer, 2 entrees & a bottle of wine. Most of the seating is outside in a cute shaded patio.
Nicole Rice — Google review
This review is long overdue, however I miss this place everyday. We found this local gem during our first trip to Yosemite. We decided to celebrate our 2 year anniversary at Idle Hour for dinner on Friday night. Anna and Mindy were both amazing from start to finish. The food was delicious (they even had veg. options) and the wine was even better. We decided to have dinner with them again on Saturday night and we were in for a treat. The food was even better than the previous night! It was such a loving and warm atmosphere and really made our whole weekend. Anna and Mindy thank you so much for making us feel welcomed. We will always stop by when we are in the area! Love your friends from LB!
Amber — Google review
Excellent Wine tasting experience at this little place right on 41 , all the 6 wines we tasted were amazing , ordered 5-6 dishes , food was good but the portions were small , loved it’s location , a creek is flowing just behind their property. It’s also pet friendly, our server was friendly.
PS — Google review
We had dinner and drinks here and everything was fantastic! You can tell they use simple, quality ingredients and are very thoughtful with their menu. I am also a huge fan of family style serving, it just makes the whole meal a shared experience. Both our wines were perfect as well.
Jenny Messimer — Google review
I am so glad I tried this little winery over the more popular restaurants in Oakhurst. The wine was delicious, the service was great. Burrata was fresh and filling, I would definitely visit again.
Hannah Nunez — Google review
Our experience here was amazing. The service was exceptional and food was great. Dessert was delicious. Hospitality is above 5 stars. We will definitely go there again.
L Yaj — Google review
Its going to be hot in summer BUT... They are so amazing that there is a mist hose to chill you out. This place atmosphere is natural and enchanting. It's an outside place. Tried the wine tasting, it was flavorful. Food flavor is great and I'm a caribbean flavor foodie lover. Make sure you see the menu if you are considering dinning. Price is a lot cheaper as far as I can tell in Yosemite. Service was awesome, the lady was attentive and talkative. Don't hesitate and visit this place.
Jennifer Santiago-Cruz — Google review
We stayed at Idle Hour via Harvest Hosts and really enjoyed ourselves. Had a nice place to stay and had a great meal.
Randy Caputo — Google review
Got there on a Monday 20 min before they closed and they were as happy to see us as if we didn’t come at the end of their day. Excellent wine tasting. Excellent Oyster Mushroom Flatbread with micro greens. Wonderful Inn on the River. Highly recommend! Thank you for being a gracious Harvest Host.
Joseph Littleton — Google review
SO GOOD! The food is absolutely delicious, wine is great and the service just perfect.
Sitting on the porch is nice even on a vary hot day.
Highly recommend.
The Children's Museum of the Sierra is an educational institution that is geared towards kids between the ages of 2 and 12. There are interactive displays that teach about history, costumed characters, arts and crafts classes, and more. It's a great place for parents to take their children so they can have a fun time while learning about Yosemite.
Great place to take the kids. My children had a blast and didn't even want to leave
Miguel Martinez — Google review
I had seen it a few times in passing, but never gone in. Brought my 18 month old the other day, and she had a BLAST! She stayed occupied for almost 2 hours! And it was really cheap! Totally worth it! Love it!!
Crystal Penny — Google review
Have to admit I was sceptical, but we really enjoyed this place. There are several educational exhibits and hands on learning. A lot of it is occupational based and let's kids learn about careers while pretending. I was concerned that my 11 and 12 year olds would be too old to enjoy it...but they had a blast! Probably helped there was no one else there so they could let out their inner child. Price is very reasonable as well.
Justin McClintock — Google review
This is such a wonderful place to take your children or grandchildren. There's a variety of career themes for a hands on learning experience such as: a doctor's office with microscope, stays with viewing window, magnatism, communication devices, a bank teller window, a pizza kitchen, musical instruments ( including a piano and keyboard), animal taxidermy, rock collection, dinosaur digging for fossils area, firetruck with fire station pole and other on board play vehicles. Areas such as a climbing pirate ship, a spaceship ( we with puppetry curtain) A full theatrical stage with TV viewing of self. Toddler puzzles, books and other exploratory toys. Gravity machines, vortex viewing and a room to host birthday parties for children. Much more than I can even describe. I would highly recommend joining for the year if you live in the area.
Pamela Altea — Google review
What a pleasant surprise! We came in with very low expectations, and were blown away by the creativity, and the number of themed rooms and areas. Very fun; we basically had to drag the kids out of there.
Nathan Eldridge — Google review
The owner who work there was very understanding and show kindness to me and my grandchild.she stayed with us after closing time due to my ride not being their to pick us up before closing. She was wonderful.
Loretta Ausby — Google review
It was ok a lot busy but not much one on one with workers
Michelle Ennis — Google review
This place is AWESOME!!!!! it's like a vocational Museum for children which I absolutely loved my girls loved it had a great time for the price it was well worth it. My girls are excited to go back again.
Fresno Flats Historical Village & Park is a 19th-century settlement that has been restored with various buildings such as homes, schools, and a jail. It offers an interesting glimpse into the past for visitors to explore. While not particularly informative or exciting, there are plenty of interesting stories and tidbits to keep one entertained while wandering around the nicely kept grounds. The lack of crowds also adds to the enjoyment of being able to stroll at leisure and fully appreciate all the neat things on display.
I was beyond surprised and overwhelmed in the best possible ways by this Historic Village, it's a must see for any History enthusiasts.
My family stumbled on this site last minute on our way to Yosemite and we had no real idea what to expect. At first the village seemed pretty straight forward and fairly inviting, my kids and I enjoyed looking around and doing the suggested scavenger hunt.
The thing or should I say, the person that truly brought it all to life was the exceptional care taker. I didn't catch her name, but she was truly one of a kind. She was so incredibly knowledgeable about every aspect of the village. She told us so many stories and details about the buildings and people, she was an absolute delight to my kids and so eager to share her knowledge and experiences caring for this wonderful place for over 20 yrs. Her tour is truly one of a kind.
I wish I could have stayed longer and continued to listen to her wealth of knowledge. I truly can't recommend this place and especially the tour from the grounds keeper. I look forward to visiting again.
CAROLINA LEYVA — Google review
This was a neat historic spot to stop at and check out; me and my partner had a nice morning wandering around the grounds, looking at the buildings and equipment, and completing the scavenger hunt.
Fresno Flats Historical Village and Park didn't offer too much in the way of exciting historic information, but it had plenty of interesting tidbits and stories to keep us entertained for some time. Plus the grounds are very nice, and there are no shortage of neat things to see.
There was basically no one there when we stopped in, which made it a bit nicer that we could stroll around the grounds and look at everything without a bunch of other people doing the same.
Zephyr Neumann — Google review
A nice little park, with a lot of historical buildings around. The plaques don't just focus on the park itself, but the whole town, which is nice. The one problem is the photo timeline is very hard to see on one side, and some photos have fallen off too.
Christopher Fetros — Google review
A very small, informative historical village. Buildings can't be entered so the amount of time spent there is short. It is a cute place to visit if you have a little time to spare.
Shikha Patel — Google review
This place is absolutely amazing! If you haven't been here, you definitely need to visit ! There is so much history here that you can literally stand in! Please take the tour, you won't regret it.
A Quevedo — Google review
Great visit, even without volunteers to guide us. Would have liked to visit inside buildings but no interiors open on a Monday.
Looks like the community uses the park and that is fantastic 😍
Hope we get back someday soon ❣
Michelle Gerdes — Google review
It was pouring today. We planned to visit Mariposa Grove but when we got there, it was closed due to storm. We opted for a local Oakhurst attraction. We visited Fresno Flats Historical Village & Park. We were skeptical at first, but after gotten there, taking pictures and talking to Michael…. It was totally worth it. Michael is super friendly and knowledgeable. We got to see the real Yosemite Sam 😃 Michael also gracefully shared with us the old photographs and stories. Definitely recommend this place. There are so much more histories than just the eyesight.
Doris Chen — Google review
Beautiful historic site. Very informative displays on site even without anybody checking up on us. Good place to visit for a less than an hour if you’re waiting for check in at a hotel nearby. Good area for a picnic.
Johnny Lee — Google review
Fantastic tour! Our guide Mike was nice and professional. He was very thorough and took time to share valuable historical insights. We bought his impressive vintage cards which were well done! Great job and thanks again guys. Highly recommended!
Ron Reyes — Google review
I like this kind of places. It shows us a little bit of the history. Unfortunately we didn’t have chance to see buildings from inside. But we saw the main museum and the historical village itself. Great atmosphere. The volunteer who was guide as was very invested in the history of the town. Great place. Mostly recommend!!!
Anna Shtatskaya — Google review
Fresno Flats is a little sentimental to me personally as my grandfather was born and raised here, as was I, and to be able to see and learn and just be able to admire the history is amazing. The place is very well maintained, and full of life. I got to partake in a family friend's family reunion, and what a blast and great place for such an event. Everyone enjoyed themselves from grandparents to young children playing tag in the roomy center. The building used to set up food was wonderful, kitchen access, and air conditioning was great in 103' weather. Really enjoyed ourselves, will definitely be back for the next family event.
Jessica Hughes — Google review
This is a fascinating collection of historical buildings and items, which you can see as a self-guided tour or, if you’re lucky, a docent will guide you. We had the most interesting guide, full of local lore and stories, characters and events. It was so enjoyable, much more than just seeing the buildings and reading signs. She made it very real, and even held the attention of the 6 teens we brought along. We stayed about 1.5 hours, then had to leave for another event. Highly recommend, and I’ll go back when we visit again to see the rest of the village!
Paula Adduci — Google review
Tucked away a short distance off Highway 41, this special place will help you learn about the area's history.
Seven buildings moved to the location help reveal life when the area was settled.
Each building has authentic items used by settlers, resulting in genuinely feeling like you have stepped back in time—a magnificent educational opportunity.
Kathy Condon — Google review
Pretty place that transports you to the old times. It’s a plaza surrounded by old building including houses and a school. There is also a museum filled with artifacts from the town and the shocking picture that I attached. (Which you can buy for $1). The staff were very nice and excited to tell us all about the history of the place, which was great!
Marilu Pagoni — Google review
Not open at the end of March, but you're able to walk the grounds and look through windows of buildings.
There's not much here to see, to be honest. The Coarsegold Historic museum down route 41 has much more to see, if you can get there during open hours.