Welcome to California's Fruit Basket! Yeah, we Californians are known as a bunch of nuts and fruits, and that hard-earned title makes Reedley proud. The Central Valley city has a proud history that includes arts, entertainment, culture, and a love of good food. Be sure to visit in the Spring when the fruit trees are in blossom with sweet scents and beautiful sights.
Reedley, California is known as The World's Fruit Basket because more fresh fruit is grown and shipped from this than any other place in the world.
For locals, one of the most notable things about Reedley is the towering twin landmarks, the Reedley Historic Water Towers. Showing some rust and character, the towers often get a facelift, with one of the more recent enhancements being a major rehabilitation project during the summer of 2022. The towers now feature stunning night lighting.
Clean, pure water was hard to keep in Reedley until the twin water towers
were built. The first tank was constructed in 1914 at a cost of $4,950.
The second was built in 1923 at a cost of $6,599. Each tank has a 60,000 gallon
water capacity.
Downtown Reedley is a lovely area featuring specialty shops, restaurants, a museum and the painstakingly restored 1903 Reedley Opera House. Downtown plays host to community events throughout the year, from the Reedley Street Faire to Reedley Fiesta, and the Electrical Farm Equipment Parade. Many shops and restaurants have been around for decades, including the Pub, Uncle Harry's, Valentino's and Main Street Cafe.
Reedley Opera House / Reedley River City Theatre Co. at 1720 10th Street, was built in 1903. In 1983, The Opera House was remodeled and in 1986 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the Opera House is home to Reedley's River City Theatre Company.
Reedley Historical Museum at 1752 10th Street is housed in Reedley's first City Hall, a 100-year-old building. Native American artifacts, antiques, farm equipment and other exhibits honor the area's diversity.
Surrounded by Lemoore Hanford, Kingsburg, Dinuba, Selma, Fowler, Sanger, Fresno, Visalia, Woodlake, Dunlap and other Central Valley locales, it is located in the San Joaquin Valley, 22 miles east-southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 348 feet.
Situated just inland along the Kings River between California's coastal mountain ranges and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Reedley is a popular stop for Californians, national and international tourists visiting Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.
In 1911, Gerhart Nickel purchased a vineyard 2 miles south of Reedley and started farming. His son, Ruben Nickel took over the farm years later. When Ruben died suddenly on the first day of peach harvest during the summer of 1951, his son-in-law Louis Wiebe took on the responsibilities of the farm. In 1956, Louis planted his first nectarine trees and began the transition from grapes to tree fruit. In 2008, the farm purchased the California Olive Oil Manufacturing Company and the BARI brand.