Staying at Navelencia Farms puts you close to more than just national parks. Clovis is one of our favorite nearby towns, a charming, western themed spot full of history, good food, and easy afternoons. Here’s our guide to the best of Clovis, all within a short drive of your farmhouse stay in Reedley.
Drive time from Navelencia Farms: About 25 to 30 minutes Best for: Shopping, local history, breweries, an easy half day trip
- Old Town Clovis The heart of it all. Old Town is packed with antique shops, boutiques, and locally owned restaurants along a walkable, historic strip. It’s the kind of place where you can wander for an hour and come away with something you didn’t know you needed.
- Clovis Farmers Market Old Town hosts a Friday night market from late spring through fall, plus a year round Saturday morning market. Expect live music, food trucks, and fresh produce from local growers. It’s a great way to spend an evening after a day out at the farm.
- Clovis Big Dry Creek Museum Housed in what was once the town’s first bank, this small museum covers Clovis history through photos, artifacts, and local memorabilia, including a piece of the old flume that once carried lumber and water down from the Sierra foothills.
- Clovis Botanical Garden A peaceful three acre garden along the Dry Creek Trail, built around drought tolerant, native California plants. There are shaded seating areas, a cactus garden, and seasonal blooms that draw bees and butterflies. A nice, quiet stop if you want a break from the heat.
- Dry Creek Trail Part of Clovis’s ten mile trail network for walking, running, and biking. The Botanical Garden sits right along it, so it’s easy to combine the two into one relaxed outing.
- Wild Water Adventure Park California’s largest water park, with slides, whitewater tubing, and a giant wave pool. A fun way to cool off on a hot Central Valley afternoon, especially with kids in tow.
- Local Breweries Old Town has become something of a brewery hub, with spots like Ish Brewing, Clovis Brewing Company, Two Ravens Brewery, and Crow & Wolf Brewing Company all within walking distance of each other. Good option for an evening after a day of sightseeing.
- ClovisFest & Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly Held the last weekend of September in Old Town Clovis, this two day festival kicks off at sunrise with dozens of hot air balloons lifting off from the Clovis Rodeo Grounds. The rest of the day spreads across a dozen city blocks with hundreds of craft and food vendors, an International Village with live performances, and a beer garden. It’s free to attend, family friendly, and worth arriving early for the balloon launch.
- Clovis Rodeo & Big Hat Days If you’re visiting in April, don’t miss it. Rodeo Month kicks off with the two day Big Hat Days festival in Old Town, drawing well over 100,000 people for crafts, food, and Old West atmosphere. It builds toward the Clovis Rodeo itself, which has run for more than a century and includes a parade through town and concerts from national country acts.
- Fresno County Blossom Trail In late winter and early spring, the backroads around Clovis and Reedley burst into bloom as thousands of apple, stone fruit, and nut trees flower along a signed driving route. Since the farm sits right in the middle of this orchard country, you’ll likely catch some of it just driving to and from the farmhouse during blossom season.
Great Restaurants in Clovis
- House of Juju A family owned favorite tucked into Old Town, known for gourmet burgers made with a choice of beef, bison, turkey, chicken, or portabella, plus flatbreads, salads, and clam chowder. The roasted fingerling potatoes with garlic aioli are a local favorite, and the patio makes for a great spot to relax after a day out.
- Trelio Food & Wine A step up for a nicer night out, with house made pasta and a well chosen wine list in a cozy Old Town setting. A good pick if you want a slower, sit down dinner to close out the day.
Old Town’s breweries, like Ish Brewing and Two Ravens, also serve solid food alongside their beer, so you’re never short on options within walking distance.
Tips for Visiting Clovis:
- Old Town is easiest to enjoy on foot. Park once and wander.
- The Friday night farmers market gets busy, so arrive early for parking and dinner options.
- Pair a morning at the Botanical Garden with an afternoon in Old Town for an easy, low key day.
Why Stay at Navelencia Farms
Our historic farmhouse in Reedley sits right in the citrus belt of Central California, close enough to Clovis for an easy afternoon or evening trip, and just about 45 minutes from the north entrance of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Come back after a day of shopping and exploring to a peaceful farmhouse surrounded by citrus and olive groves, and unwind with zero light pollution and wide open sky.
Book Your Stay: 👉 airbnb.com/h/navelenciafarmhouse
Let us know if you’d like recommendations for restaurants, the best time to catch the farmers market, or how to time your visit around Big Hat Days and the Clovis Rodeo. We love helping our guests make the most of their stay.
Photo by Jeff Aiello published on the Clovis Rodeo Facebook page
