Located about 190 miles north of Los Angeles, Visalia is the seat of Tulare County, one of the most productive agricultural counties in the United States. The history of the city dates back to hundreds of years ago when the Yokut and Mono people set up settlements there. In 1852, a community of pioneers was living in the area. They petitioned for county status in the same year, resulting in the formation of Tulare County. The town of Visalia was named after Visalia, Kentucky, the ancestral home of one of the pioneers.
Visalia experienced rapid growth in its early years, partly because of the gold rush along Kern River. Many gold prospectors passed through Visalia on their way to the river. In 1853, the town became a stopover on the Butterfield Stage route, which ran from St. Louis to San Francisco. Many hotels and saloons sprouted up in the downtown area, turning it into a busy commercial center. Visalia was incorporated as a city in 1874.
Due to its location in San Joaquin Valley, one of the most fertile valleys in the world, Visalia's main economic activity is agriculture. It produces a wide range of agricultural goods, including olives, grapes, citrus, cotton, and nursery products. It's also home to many manufacturing and distribution facilities. Today, Visalia has a population of about 135,000, making it the fifth largest city in San Joaquin Valley.
When is the best time to visit Visalia, CA?
Visalia experiences hot, dry, and clear summers and cold, partly cloudy winters. Over the course of a year, temperatures typically range from 38 degrees to 96 degrees Fahrenheit and seldom exceed 103 degrees or fall below 30 degrees. For warm-weather activities, the best time to visit Visalia is from late May to late September, when average temperatures range from the low 70s to mid-80s.
In Visalia, the busiest time for tourism is from June to August. While the city is at its liveliest during this time of the year, you'll have to deal with higher accommodation rates, limited room availability, and heavy crowds. If you want to save money and have a quieter vacation, consider going to Visalia in May or September. The weather is also extremely comfortable during these months.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Visalia, CA:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs displaying average nightly cost patterns by star rating class in Visalia, CA. Analyze these illustrations to determine the most cost effective time period to book in Visalia for upcoming travels.
What are the luxury hotels in Visalia, CA?
4 Star Average Prices: £75.37
For a more comfortable stay, opt for Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center. Located in downtown Visalia, this luxury hotel is within walking distance of the Visalia Fox Theatre and ImagineU Children's Museum and about 9.8 miles from Kaweah Oaks Preserve. It provides a pampering stay with in-room amenities such as free Wi-Fi, smart TV, cable programming, MP3 docking station, pillowtop bed, down comforters, and Egyptian cotton sheets. As a guest, you can take advantage of an outdoor pool, health club, spa tub, on-site restaurant, cafe, newsstand, and business center.
Wyndham Visalia is another hotel that offers high-quality accommodation. Situated about 5.5 miles west of Visalia, it's close to Valley Oaks Golf Course, Visalia Adventure Park, and Mooney Grove Park. This golf hotel has 256 rooms that come with complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, cable programming, and a hair dryer. It also offers on-site amenities such as an indoor pool, outdoor pool, spa tub, restaurant, cafe, newsstand, business center, laundry services, and complimentary airport shuttle.
What are the budget hotels in Visalia, CA?
3 Star Average Prices: £84.21
If you're traveling on a budget, consider booking a room at Motel 6 Tulare. Situated about 7.6 miles south of Visalia in Tulare, this hotel provides easy access to attractions such as Monte Vista Shopping Center, Tulare County Museum, and Valley Oaks Golf Course. It offers clean rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi and cable programming, as well as an outdoor pool, vending machine, and laundry facilities.
Red Roof Inn Tulare – Downtown/Fairgrounds is another popular budget hotel near Visalia. It's about 7.6 miles south of Visalia in Tulare, 3.9 miles from Mooney Grove Park, and 10.2 miles from Visalia Adventure Park. Available amenities include in-room Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV with cable programming, outdoor pool, and laundry facilities.
2 Star Average Prices: £65.75
What are the best hotels in Visalia, CA for discounts?
If you're a AAA member, you can get a discounted rate at Comfort Suites Visalia Convention Center. Located in downtown Visalia, this hotel is within a 10-minute drive of attractions such as ImagineU Children's Museum, Riverway Sports Park, and Kaweah Oaks Preserve. Its rooms are equipped with free wired and wireless internet connection, cable programming, refrigerator, safe, and a hair dryer. Additionally, it has amenities such as a fitness center, convention facilities, newsstand, and laundry services.
Lamp Liter Inn offers special rates to government and military personnel. It's situated about 2 miles west of Visalia, less than a mile from Visalia Golf Club, 1.1 miles from Visalia Adventure Park, and 2.4 miles from Tulare County Museum. It has 100 rooms with free Wi-Fi, cable programming, private patio, and a hair dryer. Available amenities include an outdoor pool, garden, restaurant, business center, conference center, laundry services, and complimentary airport shuttle.
What are the best value options in Visalia, CA?
Sequoia Lodge is one of the most sought-after hotels in Visalia because of its excellent location, quality accommodation, and competitive rates. It's located about 1.5 miles southwest of downtown Visalia, 0.8 mile from Visalia Golf Club, 1.5 miles from Fox Theatre, and 1.9 miles from ImagineU Children's Museum. It has 50 rooms that feature complimentary Wi-Fi, cable programming, refrigerator, and a coffee maker. In addition, it offers amenities such as an outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, and business center.
If you don't mind staying a little farther from Visalia, you can get excellent value for your money at Americas Best Value Inn Hanford. Situated about 18.8 miles west of Visalia in Hanford, this hotel is 16 miles from Visalia Adventure Park, 19.5 miles from Mooney Grove Park, and 23.8 miles from Tulare Historical Museum. It provides a pleasant stay with in-room amenities such as free Wi-Fi, cable programming, flat-screen TV, microwave, and refrigerator, as well as an outdoor pool and business center.
What are the top attractions in Visalia, CA?
Sequoia National Park is one of the reasons why Visalia is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Located about 30 miles east of Visalia, this 404,000-acre park is set under one of the most awe-inspiring natural canopies in the world. Besides experiencing the stunning beauty of giant sequoia trees, you can also hike, bike, swim, and fish. For a truly challenging adventure, you can get on a long-distance trail that leads to the Sierra Nevada backcountry or explore one of the many caves in the park.
The main highlights of Sequoia National Park include Giant Forest Museum, Moro Rock, Crystal Cave, Crescent Meadow, Tokopah Falls, and the General Sherman Tree, the largest living single-stem tree in the world. If you want to experience the park in a relaxing way, consider driving through Mineral King Valley for breathtaking views of Kaweah River and the nearby mountains.
Just 7 miles east of Visalia, you'll find another great place for outdoor activities. The 344-acre Kaweah Oaks Preserve is one of the few valley oak riparian forests left in San Joaquin Valley. It consists of several ditches and creeks, as well as nature trails that lead to scenic views and wildlife-viewing opportunities. The preserve is home to over 300 plant and animal species, including willow thickets, wild grapevines, valley oaks, Nuttall's woodpeckers, gray foxes, and great horned owls.
If you're interested in historical architecture, you can expect to have a wonderful time in Visalia. The city is home to many buildings that date as far back as the mid-19th century. As you walk around the downtown area, you'll come across two interesting buildings that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places: the Neoclassical Bank of Italy and the Art Deco U.S. Post Office - Visalia Town Center Station. Other buildings worth checking out include the Art Deco old Tulare County Courthouse, the Queen Anne Hyde House, and the distinctive Fox Theatre.
To learn more about the history of Visalia and its surrounding area, head down to Tulare County Museum. You can begin your tour by watching a video about the history of Tulare County in the Learning Center. Then, proceed to viewing a wide collection of artifacts that show how the locals lived in the past, including Native American baskets, pioneer clothing, farming tools, saddles, guns, and photography equipment. The museum also has a rotating exhibit that highlights the different cultural groups that have contributed to the development of Tulare County.
Visalia is a great tourist destination that has something for everybody. Whether you're interested in nature, history, or family activities, you can rest assured you'll have an enjoyable vacation there. Do some research to find a hotel that perfectly suits your budget and needs.
FAQs about hotels in Visalia