The Central Valley of California--Open To Business People, Students and Fun-seeking Tourists Sep 01 '02 (Updated Sep 02 '02)    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet The Bottom Line Many of you come to the United States of America for many reasons. Either you are a business person, a student or a fun-loving tourist, there is something for YOU! There are many reasons why any business person may want to consider visiting the Central Valley of California or the Great San Joaquin Valley. Wherever you are right now, the likelihood that you have come in contact with a product from the Central is very high. In fact, the San Joaquin Valley constitutes a 240-mile-long stretch of fertile farmland from Stockton to Bakersfield. For sure, you may have tasted one of the varieties of fruit products from the Central Valley. If you know that the Central Valley counties continue to make California the number one leader in agricultural production, then you may change your mind. How about throwing some statistics at you? Valley farming is about a $17 billion industry producing producing a tenth of the country's fruits and vegetables. All of these products are consumed all over the US and overseas. Here is a partial list of some of the brand-name products you may have come in contact with: Have you ever opened a box of Sun-Maid raisins? How about enjoying some Sunkist oranges? The chance is that you have or know somebody who uses a wheelchair. Then Quickie wheelchairs come to mind. If you have ever felt safe while shopping in a department store, a grocery store or any upscale boutique on the French Riviera, Cannes, MonteCarlo, on the East or West coasts of the US, London, Paris, Hong Kong and anywhere in the world for that matter, then you may have noticed these visible or sometimes invisible cameras provided by Pelco. Have you been paying attention to Barry Bonds and the negotiation regarding the Baseball season? Then, you may have seen all the buckets of sunflower seeds behind the players. Who does not like munching on these seeds while watching a baseball game on the bleachers? How about the Sun-Diamond nut products? How many of us enjoy eating chickens? Well, start thinking about Foster Farms and Zacky poultry! Do you like barbecuing? Then, you may have used the Barbecue sauce by Kraft Food Products. How about enjoying a nice piece of lean steak from Harris Ranch Beef Co? Then, you have the world's largest hobby ceramics manufacturer, Duncan Ceramics, right here in the Central Valley. More recently, Fresno State wine starts getting lots of attention from the connoisseurs. In the agricultural field, Grundfos Pumps is a huge powerhouse. The following companies are worth mentioning too: Ruiz Foods, Gallo and Canandaigua wineries, La Tapatia and El Rancho, makers of tortillas; Mission Foods; Cantisano Foods, Odwalla, De Bas Chocolatier, Danish Creamery Association, Hickory Farms; Bulldog Beer etc Interested in getting more information about the Central San Joaquin Valley's Businesses? The following organizations, visitor's bureaus and chambers of commerce can give more specific information: (This is just a brief look at the six counties.) Fresno County: www.FresnoCVB.org Kings County: www.visithanford.com Madera County: www.yosemite-sierra.org Mariposa County: www.mariposa-yosemite.net/visitor Merced County: www.yosemite-gateway.org Tulare County: www.visalia.org Reedley Chamber of Commerce: www.reedley.com/lo-chamber Tulare Chamber of Commerce: www.tularechamber.org Eastern Madera County Chamber of Commerce: www.oakhurstchamber.com Coalinga Chamber of Commerce: www.coalingachamber.com Hanford Chamber of Commerce: www.hanfordchamber.com Fresno Chamber of Commerce: www.fresnochamber.com If you are not a business person, you may be interested in these two categories: Student or tourist. The Central San Joaquin Valley of California has a lot to offer to those who are hungry for knowledge. International students can study at one of these local centers of higher learning. Let's start with Fresno State or California State University at Fresno. It offers bachelor's degrees in 56 majors and master's degrees in 40 and doctorate in one field. Here is its web sites: www.csufresno.edu and www.gobulldogs.com for sport activities. Fresno Pacific University: offers 44 major subjects in the undergraduate level; 21 in the graduate program; three in the Center for Degree Completion www.fresno.edu Chapman University: www.chapman.edu/univcoll/ac/visalia Fresno City College: www.fcc.cc.ca.us Reedley College: www.reedleycollege.com University of California Center, Fresno Medical Education: www.ucinthevalley.org; www.ucmerced.edu Alliant International University/California School of Professional Psychology: www.alliant.edu West Hills College: www.westhillscollege.com University of California San Francisco, Fresno Medical Education Program: www.ucsfresno.edu University of Phoenix: www.phoenix.edu etc. Tourists or Recreation Seekers can have lots of fun Yosemite remains any adventurer's jewel. And the surrounding national parks such as Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests will make your stay in this area worthwhile. World-class vistas await you. You can participate in all of the following sport activities in the Valley: Fishing, Hunting, Golf, Cross-country skiing, white-water rafting, downhill skiing etc. For your sailing, the Valley offers the following lakes: Bass lake, Eastman lake, Huntington lake, Shaver lake, San Luis lake, Yosemite lake, Mendota Slough, Millerton lake, Kaweah lake, Pine Flat lake, San Luis Reservoir Recreation Area etc. Every year in July, don't forget to check out the sailboat racing at Huntington lake. Also, the Blossom Trail in the Spring is one of the must-see wonders of the Valley. Then, you have the Forrestiere Gardens located on Shaw and Highway 99. If you want to see and be seen, check out the new developments of megastores and retail outlets in North Fresno. More than anything, I hope to run into you on the hiking trails of Mist Falls Trail, Kings Canyon National Park. If you are interested in rock climbing, you can head to Yosemite National Park. The Fresno Dome is waiting for you. Try your luck river rafting on the Upper Kings River. Enjoy your time in the USA! _____________________________ Visit Central Valley Tours: http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/inc/valleytours.html

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