Overview
Madera is a city in Madera County in California's San Joaquin Valley.
1 sights · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Madera
Orchards
When the orchards are in bloom in late January to early March, take a drive down the country roads into what appears to be a sea of clouds in a pure blue sky: almond orchards as far as the eye can see.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 98°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 23 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MCE Merced Regional Macready Field, Merced — 34 mi away. Directions
Getting in via a car, Amtrak or Greyhound are your options for getting to Madera.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
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.
Climate
Winters have cool weather, but summer temperatures are quite unbearable for most travelers.
Get in
Getting in via a car, Amtrak or Greyhound are your options for getting to Madera.
By road
Take Highway 99 from either North or South until you are halfway between Fresno and Merced (both of which are in the State of California).
By train
Take Amtrak to Madera, but do it in the daylight for your health. That way, you can enjoy a scenic trip through the Delta and beyond, and just when you think you can't go any farther, don't fall asleep, you will have reached Madera.
Place Amtrak Station
Get around
On foot
It's best not to get around the town on foot: the size of the town makes this impractical, and this is probably not safest, especially at night.
By car
Most drivers in Madera don't have car insurance. This means that, if their car crashes into yours or your car crashes into theirs, they don't have an insurance company that will pay for the damage.
By bicycle
This issue reflects the problems with getting around by foot or car: safety, size of the town, and insurance.
By cab
See and do
See Orchards
When the orchards are in bloom in late January to early March, take a drive down the country roads into what appears to be a sea of clouds in a pure blue sky: almond orchards as far as the eye can see.
Sleep
Go next
- Sacramento — Route 99 North. About 2 hours 15 minutes away.
- Los Banos — Route 99 North to 152 West. About 55 minutes away.
- Fresno — Route 99 South. About 10 minutes away.
- Yosemite National Park — Route 145 East and Route 41 North. About 3 hours away.
Buy, eat, and drink
Shop TECO Farm Supply (Teco Hardware)
One of the West's last farm supply stores, this store has 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.
Nearby
Chowchilla
City / town · 4 listings · 16 mi away
Fresno
City / town · 70 listings · 19 mi away
Clovis
City / town · 15 listings · 22 mi away
Firebaugh
City / town · 7 listings · 23 mi away
Coarsegold
City / town · 6 listings · 29 mi away
Merced
City / town · 20 listings · 33 mi away
Oakhurst
City / town · 23 listings · 34 mi away
Mariposa
City / town · 13 listings · 37 mi away
My experience
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