More than 100,000 visitors are expected to make their way to Tulare County for the 2023 World Ag Expo happening Feb. 14-16. As arguably the “largest agriculture event on the planet,” World Ag Expo is a convention unlike any other.
World Ag Expo is the largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition to showcase the latest advancements and innovations in the agriculture and farming industry. It is more than fitting to hold the event in California's Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.
World Ag Expo will have over 1,200 exhibitors and an attendance of more than 100,000 people from 49 states and 34 different countries. The annual event starts the second Tuesday of February at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, Calif., just 20 minutes south of Visalia.
After— or between— the exhibitions, networking and sales presentations, explore the agriculture capital first-hand and come visit Visalia. This Central Valley hub is an all-American city with a vibrant downtown, unique foodie restaurants, craft breweries, boutique shopping and a thriving art scene. There is evidence of its agriculture heritage everywhere, from the farmers market on Saturdays and the local produce vendors around the corner to Visalia’s year-around fresh farm fare.
Looking for something other than fair food and snack vendors? Forget donut shacks and hotdogs, driving a few minutes goes a long way for your appetite to experience Visalia restaurants.
Visalia encompasses a foodie’s ultimate paradise with a true farm-to-table mentality, priding itself on its direct access to some of the freshest produce and goods in the nation. More than 230 crops grow in and around Visalia, offering visitors a mix of menus and wide variety of seasonal specialties to choose from, such as modern Mediterranean, authentic Mexican, organic Italian and every classic cuisine in between.
With dishes like the Falafel Pita Wrap and the Spicy P.K. Burger, Pita Kabob is a modern gastropub putting a vibrant spin on traditional Mediterranean recipes in downtown Visalia.
Discover the Dilla of the Day at Gorilla Quesadilla, the comfort food hub for quesadillas. Try exceptional and unique chef-created dishes at Bistro di Bufala or Vintage Press.
Look at our list of restaurants throughout the city, including the downtown Main Street district, that gives every visitor the chance to find a classic cuisine or new innovative dish that’ll be the perfect complement to your stay.
Wind down from all that networking and agricultural innovation with a pint in Visalia’s Microbrewery District. With more than a half-dozen friendly craft breweries, it’s the perfect place to explore traditional pale ales, lagers and IPAs, as well as inventive brew creations found only in Visalia. Find What’s on Tap in Visalia’s Microbrewery District on your very own self-guided brewery tour.
Endless boutique options create a treasure hunt for keepsakes and offer any visitor the ability to shop like a local. In Visalia, you’ll find a masterpiece that doubles as a souvenir.
Take home the perfect charcuterie board from the master woodworker at Absolution Woodworks. Absolution Woodworks is an iconic local establishment that sustainably sources lumber right from the Central Valley to handcraft live-edge and mid-century modern furniture, as well as various handcrafted home goods.
Or, discover the “containers of our culture” created by local artist Toni Best. Many of her iconic pieces include weaving pine needles onto gourds to create unique and mesmerizing art pieces that reflect the nature surrounding Visalia.
Discovering art around Visalia isn’t hard to do. The city prides itself on its “outdoor gallery” of murals adorning city streets, buildings and even a few fire hydrants. Many of Visalia's public art pieces blanketing the city express cultural and historical appreciation to the Central Valley. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this map of the Downtown Visalia Mural Tour to jumpstart your sightseeing journey.
As the most robust city near Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Visalia has long been known as “the gateway” to the beautiful parks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Legendary sequoias, majestic views, fascinating underground crystal caves and natural wonders are among the reasons adventure-seeking visitors love to travel here.
Extend your trip with the Majestic Mountain Loop, a series of suggested itineraries to guide visitors through three of the world’s most beautiful and iconic national parks: Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite. The loop outlines five stops within each park for stunning views and must-see attractions.
Take time to stretch with a yoga class at The Space Yoga Studio. Drop in classes are available and you will be welcomed like a local.
More time to fill? Check out these 3-hour tours – each long enough to cover historic and cultural ground, yet short enough to fit into your schedule at World Ag Expo. Choose from Art & History, Outdoor Fun and Locally Made micro tours. Enjoy a self-guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour to learn how Visalia became the “Jewel of the Valley,” or wander around Mooney Grove Park, where you can rent a paddle boat and take a trip to the museum to see one of the largest Native American basket collections, all in one stop.
By extending your trip, you can visit the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, take your fitness journey to the next level or discover Visalia through an array of focused micro tours. The opportunity is yours.
Book your stay directly on VisitVisalia.com/stay and access all the itineraries and visitor information we have available.
Visalia’s small-town hospitality gives World Ag Expo spectators the comfort and ability to continue networking and learning about the agriculture industry long after the event. From world-class brands to independently hotels and inns, Visalia has 16 charming hotels to choose from, each with their own list of amenities, dash of history and gracious hospitality to offer.
