Visalia

Visalia (located in the heart of the Central Valley’s Sequoia region) is located in the center of the Nation’s Breadbasket with more 250 commodities grown in our community. Visalia is the gateway to the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Sequoia National Forest, year round wonderlands of spectacular scenery and activity, including the General Sherman Tree (the world's largest tree), the deepest canyon in North America, the National Christmas Tree, Mt. Whitney (highest peak in the Continental US) and the Trail of 100 Giants. The oldest city between Los Angeles and Stockton, Visalia maintains a charming, hometown atmosphere with a vibrant downtown filled with world-class restaurants, art galleries, antique stores, boutique shopping, an “outdoor gallery” featuring more than 50 murals spread throughout the community, and live entertainment. Visalia’s emphasis on community and family provides all the benefits of a traditional hometown atmosphere with the amenities of a growing urban center with a current population of 122,000. Visalia is the cultural, financial, and employment center for a region that is home to half a million residents and supports a growing and diversifying employer base that features Fortune 100 companies like VF Outdoors, JoAnn Fabrics and CIGNA along with major agricultural concerns and local entrepreneurs.



"All good things begin in Visalia. On behalf of my fellow City Council members and the citizens of Visalia, please accept my appreciation for selecting our city as the official Stage Start host venue on Thursday, Feb. 19, for the fourth annual running of the Amgen Tour of California. The city’s commitment to cycling stems from its successful long-term relationship with the Southern Sierra Cyclists and the collaborative staging of the Sequoia Cycling Classic, held in and around our city for over two decades. Our unique, attractive infrastructure, strong cycling community, and support of a dedicated Local Organizing Committee will all combine for what promises to be an impressive Central Valley start to the race."