Coarsegold
Welcome to Coarsegold, including Yosemite Lakes Park, Indian Lakes Estates, Quartz Mountain, “downtown” Coarsegold, O’Neals—and all that lies between Highway 145 and Deadwood Pass. Out and About in Coarsegold: Stroll through the shops on both sides of the highway, including the Coarsegold Historic Village and Gold Creek Shopping Center. Visit the Coarsegold Historic Museum, run by the Coarsegold Historical Society (call ahead to check seasonal hours). Skeet shoot at the Sun Mountain Gun Club. Try your luck at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. Golf in Yosemite Lakes Park. Enjoy the spring wildflowers along Raymond Road and sunset at Hensley Lake. (Coarsegold Tourist Info Center – 34MB)
Oakhurst
Oakhurst is the Gateway to the most beautiful park in the world…. Yosemite. Formerly Fresno Flats in the 1850’s, Oakhurst is only 12 miles from the southern entrance of Yosemite. Once the Mi Wok, Mono and Chuckchansi people graciously lived and flourished, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the rolling Sierra Foothills peppered with oak and pine trees. In the 1850’s it became known as Fresno Flats providing supplies to mines and lumber companies in the surrounding area. Today Oakhurst, the southern most starting point of Historic Hwy 49, is a town of 18,000 people.
Fresno
Stretching from the snow-covered heights of the Sierra Nevada to the rolling mountains of the Coastal Range, Fresno County encompasses all that truly represents the diversity of Central California. Agriculture and recreational opportunities abound side-by-side with a growing technological industry. People from all over the world come together to make their homes here in Fresno County.
Madera
Located in California’s Central Valley, Madera (pop. 45,850) offers affordable small-town living on the periphery of a large metropolitan area (Fresno is 18 miles south). It’s a place where families can afford spacious houses and their kids can join 4-H or play sports a few blocks from home. Madera is the home of Valley Children’s Hospital, one of the largest children’s hospitals in the U.S. Educational needs are served by the Madera Unified School District, featuring 20 schools; among them is a California Distinguished Elementary School. College courses and training are available through State Center Community College and CSU, Fresno.