Fresno Blossom Trail

California is the country's top producer of peaches and plums, along with almonds, citrus and other fruit. Before all this luscious fruit ripens and end up on our tables, the orchards put on an annual display of spring blossoms that are just as much of a treat for the eyes and their fruits are to the palate.

In Fresno County, the orchards are so beautiful that the local visitors' bureau has organized a driving tour through them called the Fresno Blossom Trail.

When to Visit the Fresno Blossom Trail

The hardest thing about taking the Fresno Blossom Trail is knowing exactly when to go. Depending on the temperature and precipitation, blossom season begins sometime between late February and mid-March. To go at peak time, make a note on your calendar to start checking the Fresno Blossom Trail website in mid-February. Every week, they post photographs taken along the Blossom Trail, and you can get a good idea of how things are going from that.

Touring the Fresno Blossom Trail

Along the trail, you'll see pink peach and nectarine blooms, white plum, almond and apple blossoms. Local orange groves bloom around the same time, and while their flowers are not as spectacular, their perfume is heavenly.

You won't find a lot of places to stop along the Blossom Trail, other than to pull off the roadside to enjoy the beauty, take photographs and smell the flowers, so you may want to bring along a picnic lunch. There's a nice little turnoff beside the Kings River near Minkler that's a perfect spot.

Allow several hours to drive the whole trail, once you get off Highway 99. From San Francisco, Sacramento or San Jose, you can see the Fresno Blossom Trail as a day trip.

Getting to the Fresno Blossom Trail

Print out the handy map from the Fresno Blossom Trail website before you go.

Traveling from either north or south, exit CA 99 at Jensen and follow the map.

Look for signs like the one pictured to help you keep on track.