'''Madera''' is a city in Madera County in California's San Joaquin Valley.

Get in

Take Highway 99 from either North or South. Halfway between Fresno and Merced, California. Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) or Greyhound (www.greyhound.com) are your other options.

Get around

By train: <br> Take Amtrak to Madera, but do it in the daylight for your health. Enjoy a scenic trip through the Delta and beyond, and just when you think you can't go any farther, don't fall asleep, here's Madera. <br> Amtrak Station <br> Avenue 15 1/2 at 29th Road. No payphone, no station attendant, no bathroom. <br> On foot: <br> Don't. <br> By bicycle: <br> Most drivers in Madera don't carry insurance. Just remember that. <br> By cab: <br> Dolphin Taxi 219 E Yosemite Ave Ste B Madera, CA 93638 (559) 661-2006

Madera Taxi 123 N E St Ste 103 Madera, CA 93638 (559) 674-2411

See

Madera is often considered the gateway to the Sierras. Boasting a vibrant Latino community, Madera is also home to many factory farms and almond groves. Growing up in Madera, young people often emigrate to the Bay Area. Upon learning that Bay Area denizens are shallow and self-serving hypocrites who don't even bother to drive electric cars to work, they are increasingly moving back, and becoming part of the thriving organic farm movement.

Do

Support local businesses like: <br> Cole's Books and Bagels <br> 1516 Howard Rd Madera, CA 93637 <br> Read the latest collection of speeches by Noam Chompsky or check out a top ten thriller while snacking on a bagel and soaking up what little art and culture this dusty small town has to offer. <br> TECO Farm Supply <br> One of the West's last farm supply stores, this store recently switched to carrying primarily hardware. You can still get a feel for what it used to be like, driving up in the Model T and picking up a can of dewormer for the cows. <br> MADERA VINTNERS ASSOCIATION <br> Wine Trail Weekend <br> May 17th & 18th, 2008 10:00am - 5:00pm <br> Ficklin Vineyards <br> 30246 Avenue 7 1/2 <br> Orchard Site Seeing <br> When the orchards are in bloom in late January to early March, take a drive down the backroads into what appears to be a sea of clouds in a pure blue sky: almond orchards as far as the eye can see. <br> Cockfighting <br> Cockfighting is an extremely popular local past-time, albeight illegal. Many locals will let you in on the secret, as long as you don't look like a federale. <br> Mercey Hot Springs (the back way) <br> While not actually located in Madera, this natural hot springs hideaway is a local's paradise. Take Avenue 12 to Firebaugh, then left on Nees, left on Russell, right on Shields. Pass over the I-5, and Shields turns into Panoche Pass Rd. About 13 miles into the hills, you'll see a sign on the right hand side. Turn in and enjoy an off the grid hot spring resort, with little fuss, some rust on the tubs and no hippies.

Buy

Eat

20 minutes outside of Madera, CA is Organic Pastures, California's last and only raw milk dairy. Constantly battling the FDA in court about the virtues of unpasteurized dairy products, the owners are a family farm who are passionate about raw milk. You can buy fresh cold just milked milk and dairy products right from the farm itself. <br> 7221 South Jameson Avenue <br> Fresno, California 93706 <br> 1-877-RAWMILK

<br> Pilot Travel Center #365<br> 22717 Avenue 18 1/2 <br> You'll love the microwave burritos and 2 for 1 hotdogs at the Pilot. If you're looking for something a bit spicier, out in the parking lot you'll find the local working ladies. They pack a punch.

Drink

Sleep

  • Holiday Inn Express. 290 Marketplace Dr.. 1 559 661-7400. ttp://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/maeca.
  • Motel 6. 2683 Avenue 18 1/2. 1 559 675-8697. 1 559 662-8938. ttp://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=4247.

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