Experience an adventure amid a paradise of dense forest, alpine lakes and trout-filled streams. Among other things, you can choose from hiking, mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding, golfing, water sports, camping and winter sports. And all the while you will feel as one with nature.

Activities such as the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad which recreates the old logging steamers, take modern day visitors on a four-mile excursion through the forest. One can discover gold and relive the area's past at the Fresno Flats Historic Park, where a collection of historic buildings including homes, schools and log cabins have been restored inside and out to look as they did a century or more ago. And there are many specialty shops featuring such treasures as crystals, minerals and fossils, handcrafted gifts and jewelry, Native American arts and artifacts. The wonders of Yosemite are myriad, and include such visual poetry as quicksilver falls, precipitous overlooks and surreally sculpted rock formations. Wawona's Pioneer Village is a 19th century historical site, hosted by folks in period costume from mid June through Labor Day and at Christmas. Mariposa Grove contains some 250 awe-inspiring giant sequoias, the largest trees on earth. Glacier Point provides one of the most spectacular overlooks anywhere, and Tunnel View is one of the most photographed vistas in the world, providing a panoramic view of such wonders as El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock and Bridalveil Falls.

One of California's premier winter sports havens, Madera County features alpine skiing, ice skating, the Junior Snow Ranger Program for kids, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and snowshoe walks. A wide variety of local events include Mountain Peddler's shows, the Mountain Harvest Festival, the annual Bass Lake Triathlon and the Talbot McGuire Show. Native Americans host a number of events in southern Yosemite such as The Precious Sunset Pow Wow, and The Sierra Mono Indian Fair Days. The area supports art galleries, antique shops, collectible events and many cultural, theatrical, dance and musical events. Plenty of fine dining, and all the services you can think of are close at hand. Madera County is the perfect place to get away from it all.