Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [384]
Generals Hwy., Giant Sequoia National Monument (mailing address: Sequoia Kings Canyon Park Services Company, 5755 E. Kings Canyon Rd., Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93727). ☎ 866/ 522-6966 or 559/452-1081. Fax 559/452-1353. www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com. 11 units. $135–$145 double. AE, DISC, MC, V. Closed Sept–May. Take the Stony Creek Village exit off the Generals Hwy., between Grant Grove Village and Wuksachi.
This small, recently renovated lodge offers comfortable, motel-style accommodations in a pretty setting in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, between the Grant Grove and Wuksachi sections of Kings Canyon National Park. Rooms are simply but attractively decorated and sleep two to four. The lodge's lobby is inviting, with a massive stone fireplace. The lodge has a pizzeria that serves lunch and dinner, a self-service laundry, a store, and nature trails.
IN THE NEARBY GATEWAY TOWNS
In addition to the properties discussed below, reliable chains in Visalia include the Best Western Visalia Inn Motel, 623 W. Main St., Visalia, CA 93291 (☎ 877/ 500-4771 or 559/732-4561), which has rates for two of $79 to $84; and the Super 8, 4801 W. Noble Ave., Visalia, CA 93277 (☎ 800/800-8000 or 559/627-2885), which charges $65 double. Options in Three Rivers include the Best Western Holiday Lodge, 40105 Sierra Dr. (P.O. Box 129), Three Rivers, CA 93271 (☎ 888/523-9909 or 559/ 561-4119), which charges $79 to $139 double; and the Holiday Inn Express, 40820 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA 93271 (☎ 800/465-4329 or 559/561-9000), where a double goes for $89 to $119.
Ben Maddox House
601 N. Encina St., Visalia, CA 93291. ☎ 800/ 401-9800 or 559/739-0721. Fax 559/625-0420. www.benmaddoxhouse.com. 6 units. TV TEL. $85–$130 double. Rates include full breakfast. AE, DISC, MC, V. Closed Nov–Mar. Children under 13 not accepted.
Our top choice for an enchanting place to stay in the Visalia area, the Ben Maddox House is named for one of Visalia's most prominent citizens of the late 1800s and early 1900s, who started the local newspaper and the area's first electric company. Located 4 blocks from downtown Visalia on a street with a number of other Victorian homes, the inn consists of two historic homes set on an acre of land, with gardens, decks, a small finch aviary, and a citrus orchard with a 100-year old lemon tree that is still producing. Large palm trees grace the front yard, and the long covered porch has a swing.
Both houses are furnished with antiques, and the comfortable, attractive guest rooms boast 14-foot ceilings and white oak floors. One room has a king-size bed, and the rest each have one queen bed; all have phones with dataports, refrigerators, irons, and hair dryers. Breakfast, which is served at private tables, is cooked to order from a menu that might include omelets, waffle or pancake specialties, plus breakfast meats and baked items. There is also an attractive 40×20-foot swimming pool (10 ft. deep at the deep end), open April through October, and a Wi-Fi network.
Buckeye Tree Lodge
46000 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA 93271. ☎ 559/561-5900. www.buckeyetree.com. 12 units. A/C TV TEL. $58–$130 double; $99–$210 cottage. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted by prior arrangement.
Located just a half-mile from the entrance to Sequoia National Park, this motel is a good choice for almost anyone. Not only does it offers affordable and attractive rooms, but the property has rolling lawns that end at a picturesque river, and every room has a patio or balcony offering splendid views. Rooms are basic motel units, with a king or two queen beds, light-colored wood furnishings, stucco walls, refrigerators, coffeemakers, and VCRs (video rentals are available). Some rooms have microwaves. Eight rooms have showers only; the rest have tub/shower combos. A separate cottage sleeps up to five. The motel has an outdoor swimming pool, and pathways lead down to the river.
Lake Elowin Resort
43840 Dineley Dr., Three Rivers, CA 93271. ☎ 559/561-3460. Fax 559/561-1300. www.