Nestled in the heart of California’s breadbasket, Hanford is a lively Kings County city with a fascinating past. It was originally inhabited by the Tachi Yokuts people before being settled in the mid-19th century, with the town named after the American railroad executive, James Madison Hanford. In 1877, Chinese immigrants arrived and established what is now known as China Alley.
Things to do in Hanford
Occupying a Romanesque Revival-style building that dates back to 1905 is the Carnegie Museum of Kings County, which was home to the Hanford Library until 1968. Its exhibits detail the people and industries that have shaped the San Joaquin Valley, with everyday artefacts and antiques on display. Don’t miss the “dollhouse” replica of a historic Hanford residence and the rifle from an 1880s shootout.
Travelling with kids? Spend an afternoon at the Children’s Storybook Garden & Museum, a hands-on educational space with literature-themed exhibits. Explore the Victorian-era farmhouse with its recreated bedroom and reading room, then wander through the Seasonal Gardens. Young and old will enjoy identifying the clipped creations in the Topiary Garden.
Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places is the Taoist Temple, which has been located in China Alley since the 1890s. It once served one of the largest populations of Chinese in the United States and now houses displays of 19th-century religious artefacts and cultural objects. During your visit, you can learn about the vibrant culture of China Alley, with its traditional eateries, herb stores and gambling houses.
Getting around Hanford
Hanford is around 40 minutes’ drive from Fresno and about an hour from Fresno Yosemite International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Regular trains connect from San Francisco and Sacramento to the Hanford railway station while buses travel throughout the city.