Things to do in Coalinga
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
This park offers beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay, with picnic areas, fishing (including two fishing piers) and hiking trails (including a fitness course for seniors and a bike trail.) The park has an area popular with windsurfers. There is another area with unique wind and metal musical instruments permanently placed within the park for visitors to enjoy. The name of the area came from the days of the early settlers. When wooden ships were burned off the point, the last part sinking into the water resembled a candlestick.
Mission San Antonio de Padua
This mission fell into decay so quickly after being secularized in 1834 that no buyer could be found for it when it was advertised for sale eleven years later. Everything that was not nailed or screwed down was stolen, and the interior demolished. It was 1907 before a start was made on restoration, especially of the church and the inner courtyard, and this was not completed until the fifties. A small museum houses some interesting artifacts from long ago. The rural character of the isolated valley gives the mission its special charm.
Jolon Road, Coalinga, CA 93930
Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum
The museum complex has 6 buildings: the Exhibit Barn, Olson Blacksmith Shop, and the History of Irrigation Museum; plus the historic Spreckels House (1898), La Gloria Schoolhouse (1887), and the King City Train Depot (1903). All are completely furnished with turn-of-the-century artifacts. There are outside exhibits of antique farm equipment dating from the late 1800s into the 1940s. The main Exhibit Barn features displays following the development of Salinas Valley agriculture and rural life from the late 1700s to 1940. We also have meeting rooms, picnic facilities and camping through the auspices of the Parks Department.
1160 Broadway Street, Coalinga, CA 93930
Tachi Palace
At The Tachi Palace, we proudly feature over 2,000 video slot machines. More per square foot than you’ll find in any other casino in the central San Joaquin Valley. With the latest ticket-in ticket-out technology, The Tachi Palace offers players an exciting, hassle-free gaming experience! Call 559-924-7751 for more information.
17225 Jersey Avenue, Coalinga, CA 93245
Tule Elk State Reserve
Tule Elk State Reserve protects a herd of tule elk, once in danger of extinction. In the 1880s, vast herds of tule elk were greatly reduced in number by hunting and loss of habitat. Cattleman Henry Miller began a 50-year effort to save them in 1874. At that time, few elk remained. In 1932, the herd was given permanent protection on the park property, now known as Tule Elk State Reserve. Call 661-764-6881 for more information.