Coalinga in Fresno County holds many distinctions but our personal favorite involves horned toads that race at the annual Horned Toad Festival, usually in May. The event utilizes local critters and makes this hometown festival an authentic slice of the Fresno County pie.
More famous for the 1980s earthquake called the Coalinga Earthquake with registered around 6.5 magnitude, several hundred buildings were damaged in that event and were repaired or rebuilt.
Coalinga has a small airport and provides a great escape from bigger cities.