Denair to Hanford train

Denair is a small town between Modesto and Merced on the Amtrak San Joaquins route. Many of the restaurants, shops, and amenities are in the neighboring town of Turlock, and you won't find chain restaurants in this quiet, friendly community. Instead, you can find local favorites like Riveras Crazy Snacks, Denair Donuts, and the El Jidalguense taco truck when hunger strikes.

Plus, since you're in the agricultural embrace of central California, there is no shortage of foodie experiences in the area around Denair and Turlock. Bring an appetite to Resendiz Family Fruit Barn, where you can sample fresh fruit, baked goods, and to-die-for smoothies. Meet the local chicks at Hen and Harvest Farm, open in Turlock on Sundays.

There is also plenty of outdoor adventure in Stanislaus County. Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is just one of central California's gorgeous spots to go boating or camping. A little further west, you'll find Don Pedro Lake in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.

Thanks to the San Joaquins trains that stop in Denair each day, it's easy to reach the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, or Bakersfield within a few hours. Plus, it's a straight shot on the train from Denair to Merced, one of the main gateways to Yosemite National Park. Although Denair does not have intercity bus service, Greyhound runs several routes to its neighbor, Turlock.

Hanford is a little town in San Joaquin Valley, but, despite its size, is the cultural and commercial center of the south-central area. It's a fantastic location for history buffs and families, with museums like the Carnegie Museum of Kings County, Taoist Temple Museum, and Children's Storybook Garden & Museum. Hanford also features many green spaces and parks for picnics, sports, and even a duck pond, like Hidden Valley Park, Civic Center Park, and Centennial Park. The Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is a popular family-friendly destination in Hanford.

The city has vibrant nightlife in the China Alley Historic District and Main Street, where you can participate in live events like concerts and outdoor dancing or check out shops and restaurants. Main Street has the Thursday Night Market Place to look forward to every Thursday. You can also look out for regular festivals in Hanford like job fairs, cultural and arts festivals, and parades.

Hanford is also easy to get to from other cities, as you can get over 100 train routes by Amtrak and Amtrak San Joaquin or by bus from Amtrak Thruway. The city has public transportation provided by Kings Area Rapid Transit.