Major city · United States
Chowchilla
Skip unless you need a cheap bed on the way to Yosemite or want to see the Fossil Discovery Center. One night max, no more.
Chowchilla is a small agricultural town in the San Joaquin Valley, best known as a budget stopover between San Francisco and Yosemite. The main draw is the Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County, with Pleistocene-era exhibits. Most travellers use it for a single night's sleep before heading into the Sierra Nevada.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat, over 38°C (100°F))avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat, over 100°F (38°C))
- Airports
- FAT · SJC
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Chowchilla911 ▾
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
- Chowchilla Police (non-emergency)559-665-8611
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chowchilla, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyChowchilla is a quiet, low-crime town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / fire / ambulance · 559-665-8611 Chowchilla Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFAT Fresno Yosemite International (About 40 min drive south on CA-99).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner)$2–4
- BeerBeer (domestic, bar)$4–6
- Budget bedBudget motel (e.g. Star Motel), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel (e.g. Star Motel), a night, per roomUS$90
- High-end bedBudget motel (e.g. Star Motel), a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International (About 40 min drive south on CA-99) · SJC San Jose International (About 2 h drive west on CA-152)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Dec (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chowchilla: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Jul
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. No public transit within town. Everything is along Robertson Blvd (CA-233) or near the CA-99 interchange.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yosemite National Park
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car via CA-99 N to CA-140 E, about 1.5 h to the Arch Rock entrance
A full day; leave before 7 AM to avoid summer queues.
Madera
skipDoor to door: About 15 min
Car via CA-99 N, about 15 min
Smaller than Chowchilla; nothing that warrants a detour.
Oakhurst
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car via CA-99 N to CA-41 S, about 45 min
Gateway to Yosemite's south entrance; has dining and the Children's Museum.
Coarsegold
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Car via CA-99 N to CA-41 S, about 40 min
Tiny historic town with a few antique shops; not worth a dedicated trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
CA-99 / Robertson Blvd corridor
All major motels are here, close to the highway. Easy for one night, but no walkable dining.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range chain (e.g. Days Inn, Holiday Inn Express)1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Fossil Discovery Center entry2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Gas for a day trip to Yosemite (round trip)1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$38 |
| Trip total≈ US$209 per person per day, bed included | US$418 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner) | $2–4 |
| Burger and fries | $10–15 |
| Beer (domestic, bar) | $4–6 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $4–5 |
| Motel room (budget chain) | $70–120 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer temperatures regularly exceed 38°C (100°F); carry water and run the A/C.Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C); carry water and run the A/C.
- No Uber or Lyft coverage is reliable; arrange your own transport.
- The Fossil Discovery Center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (check).
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911
- Chowchilla Police (non-emergency)
- 559-665-8611
Pocket card
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ChowchillaChowchilla
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
- Chowchilla Police (non-emergency)559-665-8611
Embassy
The nearest consulate services are in San Francisco (about 3 h drive). Most countries have embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fresno airport → Chowchilla (taxi): about $60–80, 40 min (check)
- Gas station on Robertson Blvd: several, open 24 h
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chowchilla. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat, over 38°C) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Chowchilla
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