Major city · United States
Pixley
Skip Pixley as a base: it is a 1–2 hour stop on SR-99 for the wildlife refuge, best in Jan for sandhill cranes.
Pixley is a small farm town of about 3,300 people on California State Route 99 in Tulare County, between Tulare and Delano. Almost nothing here is built for visitors except the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge, which hosts up to 6,000 sandhill cranes from September to March. Come for a half-day in winter, or drive past the rest of the year.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (cranes peak in Jan)
- avoid Jun–Aug (Central Valley heat, 35–40 °C (95–104 °F))avoid Jun–Aug (Central Valley heat, 95–104 °F (35–40 °C))
- Airports
- FAT · BFL
- Nights
- 0–1
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pixley911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tulare County Sheriff, Pixley Substation+1 559 757-3526
- Tulare County Fire, Pixley station+1 559 757-3025
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 Pixley, 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
- SafetyLow street-crime risk in a small farm town; the real hazards are summer heat, long empty roads and no hospital in 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 · +1 559 757-3526 Tulare County Sheriff, Pixley Substation · +1 559 757-3025 Tulare County Fire, Pixley station
- 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.
- AirportcheckFAT Fresno Yosemite International (About 1 h north on SR-99; the closest airport with wider service (check).).
- 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.
- Coffee$3–5
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedRoadside motel room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedRoadside motel room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedRoadside motel room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200
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 1 h north on SR-99; the closest airport with wider service (check).) · BFL Meadows Field, Bakersfield (About 45 min south on SR-99; smaller schedule (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
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
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (7 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pixley: 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)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°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. SR-99 runs through town; the refuge is about 5.7 miles west of exit 56 on a county road. TCAT Route 20 links Tulare and Delano along the corridor, but service is limited and does not reach the refuge (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pixley National Wildlife Refuge
goDoor to door: About 20 min from town
Drive SR-99 exit 56, then about 5.7 miles west
One 1.5-mile loop trail to a wetland overlook; cranes Sep–Mar, peak Jan.
Tulare
goDoor to door: About 25 min
SR-99 north, or TCAT Route 20
Best nearby base for food and rooms.
Delano
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
SR-99 south
Nearest hospital south; little else for visitors.
Porterville
goDoor to door: About 35 min
SR-99 north to SR-190 east
Gateway to the Sierra foothills.
Bakersfield
goDoor to door: About 45 min
SR-99 south
Bigger city with museums and Basque food.
Fresno
goDoor to door: About 1 h
SR-99 north
Largest city in the valley; airport.
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.
Motels along Terra Bella Ave near SR-99
A handful of roadside motels; book ahead or plan to sleep in Tulare or Delano instead.
Tulare (about 25 min north)
More rooms, restaurants and services if you want a real base.
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
| Roadside motel room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Fuel, about 100 km of driving1 × US$12 · check | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$37 |
| Trip total≈ US$205 per person per day, bed included | US$409 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Burger or drive-in meal | $10–16 |
| Mexican plate at a local restaurant | $12–20 |
| Motel room, one night2026 estimate | $70–160 |
| Gallon of petrol | $4–5 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat: 35–40 °C (95–104 °F) afternoons in Jul–Aug; carry water.Summer heat: 95–104 °F (35–40 °C) afternoons in Jul–Aug; carry water.
- The refuge has one 1.5-mile loop trail and no shade; go early.
- Cranes often feed in fields outside the refuge by day: look and listen beyond the boundary.
- Fuel and food gaps: fill up in Tulare or Delano, not in town.
- No hospital in Pixley: nearest are in Delano or Tulare.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tulare County Sheriff, Pixley Substation
- +1 559 757-3526
- Tulare County Fire, Pixley station
- +1 559 757-3025
Pocket card
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PixleyPixley
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tulare County Sheriff, Pixley Substation+1 559 757-3526
- Tulare County Fire, Pixley station+1 559 757-3025
Embassy
No consulates in Pixley; nearest consulates-general are in Los Angeles and San Francisco (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SR-99 Tulare → Pixley by car: about 25 min, fuel only (check)
- TCAT Route 20 Tulare → Pixley: limited daily service, fare under $5 (check)
- Pixley → Bakersfield by car: about 45 min on SR-99
Say or show
- ¿Dónde está el refugio de vida silvestre? — Where is the wildlife refuge? (DON-day es-TA el re-FOO-hyo)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA-syas)
- Necesito ayuda — I need help (ne-se-SEE-to a-YOO-da)
Spanish is widely spoken in the southern Central Valley; English works everywhere.
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 Pixley. 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: Nov–Feb (cranes peak in Jan) · avoid Jun–Aug (Central Valley heat, 35–40 °C) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Refuge page with crane-season dates, trail length and access rules.
- SR-99 corridor page: fuel, food and motel gaps between Tulare and Delano.
- Vernal-pools access page with the preserve manager contact and season.
- Heat and wildfire smoke fixtures for summer visits.