Welcome to Oakhurst (AKA Fresno Flats)
Fresno Flats was not born as a gold mining town. It began as a quiet community of schools, churches and homes to provide a stable atmosphere for the areas loggers, miners, farmers and ranchers in the 1850s. Fresno Flats stems from the Spanish word “freszo” which means ash trees.
From the very start, Fresno Flats thrived. In 1893, the small town boasted a post office, restaurant, a hotel and saloon, a Chinese store and laundry, stage stop, a blacksmith and a livery stable. Unfortunately the railroad and Highway 140 bypassed Fresno Flats as tourists sought the most convenient route to Yosemite National Park. Abandonment seemed certain when the Sugar Pine Mill closed at the beginning of the Great Depression.
Fortunately, Highway 41, also known as the Discovery Highway, was completed by the late 1800’s to entice visitors from Fresno, Clovis and other cities of the San Joaquin Valley. The Discovery Highway made it’s way to Yosemite National Park right through Fresno Flats, helping to revitalize the area. Soon after, the residents renamed the town Oakhurst.
Today, Oakhurst claims a population of almost 14,000 residents. The community is small enough to retain a friendly atmosphere and large enough to host retail and modern industry. The town of Oakhurst and it’s surrounding areas is home to the highest number of artists per capita of area in the United States.
The town of Oakhurst is always hopping with the Golden Chain Theater, the Met Cinema, art galleries, numerous museums, Fresno Flats Historical Park, abundant historical markers, hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, horseriding trails, Sierra Meadows Ranch and River Creek golf courses, Sierra Lanes Bowling Alley, antique shopping, hiking, biking, hunting and fishing, horseback riding, swimming, skiing, bluegrass festivals, the Oakhurst Grand Prix and Automotive Film Festival, Run for the Gold Classic Car Show, concerts in the Oakhurst Community Park, a wide variety of restaurants and much more. For more information on the Oakhurst area and local events visit the Oakhurst Chamber website.
"The Talking Bear"
The "Talking Bear" is located on the corner of Road 426 and Highway 41, at the Victorian Village. He is Oakhurst’s most famous landmark. The "Talking Bear" has been the focal point of thousands of photos throughout the years since his installation in 1965. The Talking Bears message is a brief history of the California Grizzly and a reminder to respect and preserve the National Forest and it’s wildlife.
Every Christmas the "Talking Bear" plays guardian to the Oakhurst Community Christmas Tree. His beautiful surroundings are maintained by his owner, Brad Ditton of CENTURY 21 Ditton Realty, whose offices are located in the Victorian Village.
Fresno Flats Historical Park
The Fresno Flats Historical Park is located on Road 427 (School Road) and is supported by thousands of volunteer hours. The Sierra Historic Sites Association is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization.
Fresno Flats hosts numerous family-friendly events including Mountain Heritage Days in September, Christmas at Fresno Flats, and many more.
The gift shop and museum are open Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 3 pm and weekends 12 pm to 4 pm. The park is always open for self-guided tours and picnic facilities are available at no charge. Guided tours and group tours are available by appointment. The park may also be rented for special events such as weddings and private parties. For more information contact the Sierra Historic Sites Association 559) 683-6570 or visit their web site www.fresnoflatsmuseum.org.
Children’s Museum of the Sierra
The Children’s Museum of the Sierra is a special museum especially for children and their families. The museum is located on Golden Oak Drive off of Road 426. Children can explore a variety of hands-on exhibits, exploring science and the arts. There is a miniature Yosemite Bank, pirate ship, medical office, fossil dig, costume corner and communication area. Hours vary seasonally. For more information please call 559-658-5656.
Oakhurst Branch Library
The Oakhurst Branch Library is located next to the beautiful Oakhurst Community Park. The library offers a vast selection of magazines, books, videos, CD’s and DVD’s. There is an Internet workstation available for public use, as well as computer catalog terminals to search and request items throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The Oakhurst Library offers a Summer Reading Program for children grades K through 8. Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library hold book sales on the first Saturday of every month. Proceeds from the book sales are being earmarked for the libraries expansion project.
Oakhurst Community Center
The Oakhurst Community Center has been the meeting place for Oakhurst and the surrounding areas for many years. The Oakhurst Community Center has hosted school plays, concerts, square dances, town meetings, the Sierra Sunrise Rotary Cajun Fest, the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Crab Feed, numerous fund raising events and meetings for various service clubs in the mountain area. The center is also available to rent for private functions such as weddings and receptions, birthdays, anniversaries and special events.
Oakhurst Community Park
The Oakhurst Community Park is located just off of Highway 41 in downtown Oakhurst, behind the Oakhurst Branch Library. It is the perfect place for a family picnic, a walk with the dog, flying a kite, a quiet stroll or jog, or just a nice place to sit in the sun. China Creek runs along the East boundary of the park and a large family of ducks and a few geese can usually be enticed closer with some bread crumbs. The park offers covered picnic tables, a playground for the children, restroom facilities and a gazebo. The Oakhurst Community Park hosts the Run for the Gold Classic Car Show the weekend after Labor Day, the EMCSPCA Animal Fair, Chocolate Festival and Oakhurst Fall Festival in October and many other events throughout the year. For a schedule of events in the park visit the Oakhurst Chamber website.