Santa Fe Trail (Tulare)

The 19th-century railroad-building boom brought the town of Tulare into existence in California’s Central Valley. More than 100 years later, the town transformed a former railroad spur into the Santa Fe Trail, which connects residential areas on both ends with the downtown commercial district.

The 5-mile paved trail takes an east–west route that is as flat as the surrounding valley; the only exception is the ramp up to a pedestrian bridge that crosses an active railroad line. Much of the trail, except through downtown, is accompanied by a bridle path separated by a fence.

The valley is cloudy and cool in the winter but hot as blazes in the summer. You will find about a dozen drinking fountains to quench your thirst along the way, or you can escape the heat by strolling beneath the streetlights that illuminate the trail at night through downtown. Although there’s no leafy canopy, trees planted along the corridor offer occasional shade.

The town was founded in 1872 as a regional headquarters for the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was named for nearby Tulare Lake, whose name comes from the tules (bulrushes) that the Indigenous people of the area fashioned into reed boats and more for centuries. The lake has since dried up, and the town faced a similar fate when the railroad headquarters moved away. Instead, the town built canals and adopted other dry-land agricultural practices that have made the area a dairy industry leader.

The trail follows a spur line once operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It opened in 2004, 10 years after the railroad ceased operations. Popular for recreation, the trail also runs within a half mile of virtually all of Tulare’s schools to enable safe student travel.

Starting at the northeast edge of town on Prosperity Avenue, you’ll notice a separate, fenced horse path paralleling the paved trail. This dirt path goes 2.2 miles to North Cherry Street, then resumes on the other side of downtown for a 0.9-mile run between North West Street and the trail’s terminus at West Inyo Avenue/CA 137.

Near the trail's northeastern end, the trail arrives at Live Oak Park, where you’ll find parking, ball fields, restrooms, and picnic shelters. In another half mile, you’ll cross over the busy Golden State Highway/CA 99, then go another mile to downtown, with its variety of restaurants, bus station, and library, among other amenities.

To take the pedestrian overpass across an active rail line, cross North K Street, go a half block north, and then turn left at the sidewalk that leads to the ramp. You’ll pick up the trail on North I Street and continue west through a residential area about 2 miles until the trail ends at West Inyo Avenue/CA 137.

Plans are underway to extend the trail along the same former rail corridor to meet Visalia's Santa Fe Trail in the larger city to Tulare's north.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available at a number of locations along the trail. Visit the TrailLink map for all options, available transit lines, and detailed directions.

To access the northeast trailhead, take State Route 99 to E. Prosperity Avenue. Follow the road east for 1.6 miles. The trailhead is on the right. There is no parking here, but a shopping center 0.5 mile west on E. Prosperity has plenty of parking.

To access the southwest trailhead, take SR 99 to E. Tulare Avenue (SR 137). Go west for 0.8 mile, turn left and follow M Street for two blocks. Turn right and follow W. Inyo Avenue for 2 miles. The trailhead is at the intersection of W. Inyo and W. Soults Dr. There is no parking at the trailhead, but you can look for parking in the neighborhood south of W. Soults Dr.

Parking is also available at Live Oak Park (600 N Laspina St, Tulare) and there is municipal parking on 463 N J Street, between E Cross Avenue and E San Joaquin Avenue.

Santa Fe Trail West bound

August 2011 oc3ddie

Bike ride going West bound . Started on East end.
Parking at gas station on Mooney blvd and Prosperity is very good. Beware there is private parking posted to the South of gas station. Stock up on goodies at the gas station if needed.

Travel a 1/8 Mile East on Prospertity to Trail entrance. I was delighted to much shade and nice settings. The trees are mature and provide plenty of coverage. Plenty of watering fountains and benches to enjoy the views.

The Mooney blvd crossing off the trail does not provide any crosswalk assistance. Use proper crosswalks when available. The trail crosses a few residental streets but do provide crosswalk markings. On a bike take extra caution, some of the cross walk areas have blind spots. I did spot a few Tulare police around the trail areas so do follow all signals and signs that are posted. Also beware of pedastrians and horses on the trail.

The trail is in excellent condition and provides plenty of space for different activities. Numerous Parks are located with in minutes off the trail. There is also some bussinesses and fastfood minutes off the trail. Fun trail for all ages.. Great Job Tulare and the old Santa Fe.

Entire 4.8 mile Trail

June 2009 noel.keler

This Excellent surfaced 4.8 mile trail, it is well equipped with drinking fountains. Near the east end of the trail, cross Hwy 63 on crosswalk 370 feet north of trail. No crosswalk/bike markings at West St, I used crosswalk, north, on Tulare Ave. There is a gap in the trail to cross RR Tracks, follow directions on sign at K St., go one block north to Cross Ave then west across RR tracks to the next St which is I St., unmarked, then south to trail. Fast food available on Cross Ave. Parking & restrooms at Transit Center ( N36.21147 W119.34673 ). This is the same Trail called “Corcoran to Tulare” Noel Keller 1 Jun 09

Tulare Santa Fe Trail

May 2009 noel.keler

Very little shade on this 4.8 mile trail, it is well equipped with drinking fountains. Surface in fine condition. No crosswalk/bike markings at West St, so no right away, use crosswalk, north, on Tulare Ave. There is a gap in the trail to cross RR Tracks, follow directions on sign at K St., go one block north to Cross Ave then west across RR tracks to the next Street which is I St., unmarked, then south to trail. Fast food available on Cross Ave. Parking & restrooms at Transit Center ( N36.21147 W119.34673 ). Near the east end of the trail, cross Hwy 63 on crosswalk 370 feet north of trail. Noel Keller 2 May 09

10/20/08 Ride on Easterly section East of "J" Street

October 2008 dham

The trail is great, relatively level and well maintained. Nice touch with the fenced, parallel equestrian riding trail. I found good parking at Lone Oak Park (off of Lespina north of the trail). I would have ridden farther west but the trail is not well marked between "J" and "I" Streets. There is a sign that mentions going over to "I" Street but there is no good signage.

California

4 Reviews