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This tour ventures through California’s Central Valley, known as the nation’s breadbasket thanks to an imported supply of surface water and local groundwater. Covering about 20,000 square miles through the heart of the state, the valley provides 25 percent of the nation’s food, including 40 percent of all fruits, nuts and vegetables consumed throughout the country.

This 3-day, 2-night tour focuses on the San Joaquin Valley, the southern part of the vast region, which is facing challenges after years of drought, dwindling water supplies, decreasing water quality and farmland conversion for urban growth. Led by Foundation staff and Thomas Harter, Chair for Water Resources Management and Policy at the University of California, Davis, the tour gives participants an understanding of the region’s water use and issues as well as the agricultural practices, including new technologies and water-saving measures. 

Participants will visit farms and some of the state’s major infrastructure, such as Friant Dam and the San Luis Reservoir, as well as the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large concentrations of waterfowl and shorebirds. The tour begins and ends at the Foundation’s office in Sacramento.

Contact Programs Director Nick Gray via email with any tour questions.

What attendees say about this tour:

“It was very impactful to see the variety of perspectives at the ground level. Reading about issues can seem almost fictional. Seeing the reservoirs and farms with my own eyes truly deepened my understanding of San Joaquin Valley.”

“This was a fantastic tour. In three days, I had the opportunity to meet numerous experts in the field. It was a nice blend of speakers.”

“The tour was extremely organized. The information/material, speakers, and opinions were well rounded and I enjoyed engaging with farmers and other industry leaders who are on the frontlines of California water.”

Planned Stops Include:

• Kern Water Bank
• San Joaquin River
• Terminus Dam
• Mendota Pool
• Friant Dam
• San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
• San Luis Reservoir

Planned Topics Include:

• Water supply & drought
• Flood management
• Groundwater banking
• Surface water storage
• Subsidence
• Wetlands
• Agricultural supply & drainage

Tour Start & End Point:

The tour starts at 7:30 a.m. on April 26 and ends at 6:30 p.m. on April 28 at the Water Education Foundation office, 2151 River Plaza Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA. Free parking is available.

The tour includes overnight stays in Coalinga and Visalia which are arranged by the Foundation and covered by the registration fee.

The Courtyard Sacramento Airport Natomas is next door to the Water Education Foundation and also offers a shuttle to/from Sacramento International Airport (SMF). We have a discounted room rate arranged there and self-pay booking options are provided upon registration for the tour.

An alternative departure point from the tour on Friday afternoon in the Turlock area can also be arranged. Please contact Programs Director Nick Gray via email for details.

Pricing Details:

General – $959 (one person, single-occupancy room)

Fee includes all tour meals, transportation, materials, snacks and hotel accommodations once the tour begins Wednesday. Meals covered by the registration fee include lunch on Wednesday through lunch on Friday. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the tour’s beginning and end point.

A limited amount of scholarship funding is available to pay for a portion of the tour. Scholarships are awarded based on a few factors, including:

• Financial need
• Reason for scholarship request
• How the education & experience will be used after the tour

Contact Nick Gray via email to apply or for more information.

COVID-19 Policy:

The Foundation continues to monitor developments with COVID-19. Precautions will be implemented during the tour including enhanced sanitation protocols and an itinerary that maximizes use of outdoor/open-air spaces when feasible.

Despite these mitigating circumstances, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any place where people gather. All participants should consider their personal choices around harm reduction and risk tolerance in the face of current variants and the likelihood of additional variants emerging in the future.

Acceptance of an assumption of risk waiver is required during registration for the tour.

We ask participants not to attend if, within 72 hours of the tour start date, they have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., a fever of 100.4F or higher, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking muscle pain/achiness, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue or any other symptoms associated with COVID-19 identified by the CDC).

If a participant tests positive or is exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19 within 5 days of the tour start date, they must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of the tour start date regardless of their vaccination status.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

Deadline to cancel and receive a refund is three weeks prior to the first day of the tour due to hotel, meal and transportation commitments. Substitutions are allowed up to five business days before the tour. Eventbrite fees are nonrefundable and the remaining amount may be subject to an additional 10% processing fee.

We recognize that unexpected conflicts with our tours can occur from time to time. The Water Education Foundation recommends you consider arranging travel insurance from a provider of your choice soon after tour registration to protect against such unfortunate events.

Continuing Education Credits:

MCLE credits are available only for California attorneys for an additional fee, and may be available for water plant/wastewater plant operators and other vocations/professions. Contact Nick Gray via email with any questions.

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