Sundrenched, semi-rural and forty minutes from Fresno, Coarsegold, CA sits right on the edge of the Yosemite Valley. As you may have guessed, the small town got its name during the California Gold Rush, and you’ll find many of the original buildings preserved in Coarsegold Village, the historic downtown area. These days, though, Coarsegold is mostly known as a peaceful, family-friendly and tarantula-loving town.
Yes, you did read that last part right -- if you’re scared of spiders, you might want to avoid Coarsegold during the month of October, when the town is scuttling with the tarantulas that emerge from their burrows to find a mate. Coarsegold celebrates this eight-legged love-in with the Tarantula Awareness Festival, an event designed to highlight the importance of our arachnid-American friends to the wider ecosystem. You and your leashed pooch are welcome at many of the outdoor events -- just watch your step!
With no dog park or even community park in town, you might be forgiven for thinking that Coarsegold isn’t the most fur-friendly place. Don’t let that bug you too much, though -- Coarsegold sits right on the edge of some of the most fabulous state parks in the country. And if your furry friend needs to run free, don’t fret -- you’ll find plenty of op-paw-tunities for off-leash adventure just a short drive away!