Major city · United States
SelmaSelma, California
Skip unless you're driving CA-99 and need a quick raisin stop or a cheap bed near Fresno: 2–3 hours, not a destination.
Selma is a small San Joaquin Valley town of about 23,000 people, known as the Raisin Capital of the World. It sits on CA-99 just south of Fresno. There are no major sights; the main reason to stop is for a meal or an overnight stay while travelling between Fresno and Bakersfield. Most visitors pass through in under an hour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- FAT
- Nights
- 0–1
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Selma911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Selma, 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
- SafetySelma is a safe, quiet 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
- 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 20 min north on CA-99; the closest commercial airport.).
- 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
- Budget bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · 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 20 min north on CA-99; the closest commercial airport.)
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
not flagged
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, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Selma: 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)
6 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Jul
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°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. Selma is spread along CA-99 with no public transit worth using. Walking is possible downtown but impractical for hotels.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
CA-99 north, about 20 min
Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, downtown breweries.
Kingsburg
goDoor to door: 10 min
CA-99 south, about 10 min
Swedish-themed downtown, good for a quick walk.
Door to door: 25 min
CA-99 north to Manning Ave east, about 20 min
Blossom Trail in spring, Blain Park.
Door to door: 30 min
CA-99 north to CA-168 east, about 25 min
Old Town Clovis, Sierra Vista Mall.
Door to door: 50 min
CA-198 west, about 45 min
Pleasant Valley State Prison area; limited attractions.
Shaver Lake
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
CA-99 north to CA-168 east, about 1 h 15 min
Mountain lake, hiking, camping; a full day trip.
Firebaugh
skipDoor to door: 50 min
CA-99 north to CA-152 west, about 45 min
Small town with little for visitors.
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 corridor
Hotels cluster near the highway exits, mostly chains. Best for a one-night stop.
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
| Chain hotel (Best Western / Holiday Inn)1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Gas (CA-99 driving, 50 km)1 × US$8 · check | US$8 |
| Meal at Pea Soup Andersen's2 × US$18 | US$36 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$42 |
| Trip total≈ US$233 per person per day, bed included | US$466 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner) | $2–4 |
| Burger and fries | $10–15 |
| Pea soup bowl (Andersen's) | $8–12 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $4–5 |
| Motel room (one night) | $70–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer temperatures regularly exceed 38°C (100°F); carry water.Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C); carry water.
- CA-99 can have heavy traffic around Fresno during commute hours.
- Downtown is quiet after dark; most restaurants close by 21:00.Downtown is quiet after dark; most restaurants close by 9:00 PM.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SelmaSelma, California
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fresno Yosemite Intl (FAT) → Selma: Taxi about $40–50, 20 min; no direct bus.
- Selma → Fresno downtown: Car about 20 min; no public transit.
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is universal; no language barrier.
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 Selma. 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, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add verified opening hours for Pea Soup Andersen's and local diners.
- Add a walking route for downtown Selma (Raisin Festival grounds, mural walk).
- Add seasonal events: Raisin Festival (check dates).
Sources
Ask about Selma
Loading…
Was this useful?