Situated just 35 miles from Fresno and 120 miles from San Jose is a small city with an agricultural heart at its center. When people think of California, they might imagine the iconic beach town of Santa Barbara or the paradise of towering trees in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, but the small city of Mendota is a point on the map which adventurers to the Golden State should take note of. With a population of just under 17,000 people as of 2024, Mendota is a peaceful city located in the fertile Central Valley.
The city is colloquially called “the cantaloupe center of the world,” and with good reason. California is a hub for cantaloupe farms; around 75% of U.S. cantaloupes are grownin the state. For a long time, the fields of Mendota have had plenty of land to grow cantaloupes which ultimately gave the city its nickname. Agriculture, including cantaloupe, have been economic stimulators for the city alongside the likes of solar power plants and produce companies. In recent years, though, droughts have caused increasing damage to the crops as which aren’t getting enough water to survive. This has lead to farmworkers facing hardships trying to find work and ultimately creating an uncertain future for agriculture in Mendota. But the city manages to persevere regardless.
If you’re wanting to travel to Mendota, the best way to get there is to fly into Fresno Yosemite International Airport. From there, you can drive to Mendota — about a 40-mile trip. Once you get to the city of Mendota, it’d be a good idea to have a car to get around; though it’s relatively walkable, life would be easier with a car.
Read more: 15 Underrated Vineyards To Visit In California
The Mendota Wildlife Area is a great recreation spot
red brick sign with text of city on it next to green tree – Rosie O’Kelly / YouTube
While California is packed with majestic spots that include wild nature and the million-dollar views of Montecito Heights, Mendota is a delightful city in its own right, rife with nature to explore. One of its highlights for visitors is the the Mendota Wildlife Area, a nearly 12,000-acre stretch made up of both flatlands and floodplain which hosts a diverse array of animals, including birds like the white-faced ibis and the great blue heron, as well as fish like bluegill, carp, and catfish. The site has become a perfect recreation spot for public use as visitors can hunt, fish, photograph the site, go boating, or picnicking. If this isn’t your particular brand of fun, though, then not to worry. There are other parks available for use in Mendota, including the 21-acre Rojas-Pierce Community Park which has sports fields, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and walking paths.
If you’re still not finding much to do in Mendota, then the nearby Fresno (just 35 miles away) has perfect tourist attractions including the Fresno Chaffee Zoo which not only houses animals like elephants, flamingos, macaws, lizards, sea lions, owls, and so much more, but also hosts a number of fun events for the whole family like Breakfast with the Animals or a Safari Night Gala. For art lovers, the Fresno Art Museum puts on a bunch of different exhibitions and programs, and it gives visitors a chance to see unique art and meet the artists behind the works.
Where to eat and where to lodge in Mendota
long black road with fields on the side – Rosie O’Kelly / YouTube
If there’s one feature California has a lot of, it’s great food. There’s the the Los Angeles foodie neighborhood of Little Armenia or the fresh seafood at the Oceano Dunes that give out-of-towners the chance to chow down on the many food offerings in such a culturally rich state. Mendota is another city that specializes in great food. Dinora’s Restaurant and Bakery is a family-style restaurant that makes everything from breakfast burritos to fried chicken to pupusas, and they make custom cakes to celebrate any occasion. Another great option for dining out is Cabañas Restaurant, a Salvadoran restaurant offering up everything from pupusas to tacos to chicken soup.
If you’re thinking of lodging for a night or two in Mendota, unfortunately you won’t have many options, but nearby cities offer a variety of hotels from which to choose. There’s the Villa Alamari Inn & Suites in the city of Kerman; it’s about 19 miles away from Mendota and provides a comfortable stay for visitors in one of their single or double bed rooms. An even closer option is the Best Western Apricot Inn situated in the city of Firebaugh, only a 18-mile distance from Mendota. This hotel, in addition their rooms, offers amenities like an outdoor pool and self-service laundry.
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Read the original article on Islands.