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ACCESS AND INFORMATION
From the north, two MAJOR HIGHWAYS, Interstate 5 and Highway 99, provide
access from San Francisco and Sacramento. From the south, Interstate 5
ascends the long grade over the "Grapevine" above Los Angeles
and drops down into the valley before splitting at Highway 99, which continues
northward to Bakersfield. Los Angeles-to-Bakersfield distance is 112 miles;
from San Francisco to Bakersfield is about 300 miles. From either direction,
Interstate 5 is your faster route for reaching valley destinations, even
if you do have to travel as much as 35 miles west-to-east between Interstate
5 and cities located along Highway 99.
A tour of the San Joaquin Valley between Hanford or Visalia and Bakersfield
can begin where Highway 198 crosses the valley from Coalinga, passes through
Hanford and Visalia, and ascends the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada
before entering Sequoia National Park. Highway 198 is also a link to U.S.
101 south of King City. Dense, low-lying ground fog (known locally as
"tule fog") is a grave concern to drivers when it settles over
any San Joaquin Valley road or highway. Interstate 5, because it skirts
the hills slightly above the valley, is less prone to dense fog, but it,
too, can be socked in. If you're caught in a fog, take the first exit
immediately and wait it out at a coffee shop, motel, turnout, or rest
stop. Do not attempt to drive; horrendous multiple-vehicle accidents are
not uncommon under such con-ditions. The most central AIRPORT is Fresno
Yosemite International Airport (5175 E Clinton Avenue; 559/498-4095),
which is serviced by more that 14 airlines, including American Continental,
Delta, and United. Nearby Bakersfield's Meadows Field (1401 Skyway Drive;
661/393-7990) is served by America West, American, American Eagle, and
United Express. AMTRAK (15th and F Streets; 800/872-7245) services Bakersfield,
Was-co, and Hanford. GREYHOUND (1820 18th Street; 800/231-2222) offers
many routes and many stops, with main depots at Bakersfield and Visalia.
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