Best Things to do in Selma, California
Known for its relatively small-town charm, Selma is a picturesque destination for travelers looking to getaway. This town fondly exhibits part of the allure that can be traced to the Southern Pacific Railroad of 1870, which gas-lit the town’s first post office and first school a decade later. However, like most American cities, Selma had to cope with a decline late in the 20th Century. Today the town rips big from the early developments such as the U.S. Highway 99, as the route has made the city accessible to curious travelers. The small town located 16 miles southeast of Fresno County was my first stop for a month-long excursion in California. While in Selma, I enjoyed visiting the following destinations.
If you are visiting Selma as a family, then this should be part of your itinerary. The Fresno Discovery Center is a science-oriented institute where all visitors of all ages come to nurture their scientific imaginations to help them grow in confidence and competence. The 5.5-acre premises are an excellent chance for visitors to learn through concrete interactions such as touching, manipulating, and exploring. Make sure to check out the Deutsch Cactus Garden on your visit.
Baldassare Forestiere, an immigrant from Sicily, created the underground gardens located at 5021 West Shaw Avenue. He drew inspiration from the Roman Catacombs in an attempt to quell the Fresno hot summers. Baldassare used only shovels, picks, and other hand tools to dig deep as low as 25 feet for forty years of his life so that global guests can enjoy his caves, passageways, and underground homes. Members of the Forestiere family currently cater to this vernacular architecture.
For something upbeat, try out the 1-2 day white water rafting trips. The Kings River, one of the most scenic in the west, originates high in the central California Mountains near Sequoia National Park. The bubbly river offers the best experience thanks to no damming upstream. Sign up with Zephyr or Kings River expeditions for a memorable afternoon.
For history buffs, a trip to the Historic Kingsburg Jail will offer much more insight into Selma. In March 2008, a jail that had ceased to exist in the 1970s was restored to become a travel destination. In October 1924, the Kingsburg city council opened up a bidding process for the fortress built-in 1874. The bid was later awarded to the Anton Johnson Company for $3098 for rights to build the prison. The murals of an escapee and aged sheriff on the jail walls leave something for the art enthusiasts.
You have got to try out their burger special before you leave town. After a detailed look at Selma, I had one thing left to do: taste the food in the city. I scoured the internet for top recommendations, and top of the list was Legends Tap House and Grill.