Located along Highway 99 almost halfway between Fresno and Bakersfield, Tulare is a city where people tend to plant roots. “The South Pacific Railroad came here in 1872 and that’s when Tulare became a city, and a lot of those original legacy families have stayed and been a part of the community for 150 years,” says Samantha Sousa of Sousa Valley Real Estate, who has worked in the real estate industry for 15 years. While railroads originally brought people to Tulare, the city of just under 69,000 has become an agricultural hub with major brands like Land O’ Lakes and Saputo Cheese as large employers. “Ag is huge here with both farming and livestock, and we host the World Ag Expo each February, which brings people from all over the world to Tulare,” Sousa says. On top of its thriving agricultural industry, Tulare offers an outlet mall, a revitalized downtown area and 18 city parks.
Tulare's Own Customized Water Tower Rises Predominately Over Downtown
Young Tulare Southwest residents find fun activities at the World Ag Expo.
The Saputo plant in Tulare produces specialty cheeses.
The Cycle Park in Tulare brings out all the talented racers in the San Joaquin Valley.
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Shopping the Tulare Outlets
Just off Highway 99 on the city’s northern edge sits the Tulare Outlets, home to over 50 name-brand stores, including Nike, Levi’s and Kate Spade. “They certainly generate a lot of business, people come from Porterville, Visalia and really all over to shop here,” says Sousa. Downtown Tulare has plenty of boutique antique and thrift shops. “Our city hall has done a lot to revitalize downtown, incentivizing restaurants and local businesses to open on the downtown strip,” Sousa says. Restaurants include everything from diners to Asian fusion joints, but Tulare is mostly known for its Latin cuisine, with spots like Figaro’s Mexican Grill and Vejar’s Mexican Restaurant.
The Tulare Outlet offers several different big name brand stores for residents to shop.
Pick your favorite Mexican dish at Vejar's Mexican Restaurant near Tulare Southwest.
Figaros restaurant in Tulare has a Mexican Southwest flavor that residents enjoy.
The Nike store offers Tulare residents discount pricing on great shoes.
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Fishing at Del Lago Community Park
The city is home to 18 parks, ranging from large community parks to smaller playground areas. Del Lago Community Park is one of the largest; it has a stocked fishing pond and a water play area for children. Locals play volleyball, tennis or baseball at Live Oak Park, which also has an exercise course. Golfers can head to the 18-hole Tulare Golf Course, which opened in 2018 and has a full pro shop and driving range. The city maintains a public pool for cooling off in the hot summer months. Throughout the year, residents can attend city-sponsored events like the Spring Carnival Eggstravaganza, movies in the park and the Lights, Sights and Holiday Nights Christmas party. Each September, the Tulare County Fair celebrates the city’s agricultural history with livestock shows, live music and plenty of local food.
Residents throughout Tulare County look forward to the annual fair in September.
A Tulare father takes time to show his daughter how to tee off at Tulare Golf Course.
A Tulare Southeast couple sharpen their pickleball skills at the local court.
A Tulare couple takes a memorable photo in the lighted tunnel at the Winter Wonderland.
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Home values on the rise
Single-family homes in Tulare have a median price of $372,000, an 18% increase over the past three years and a 55% increase over the past five years. “We don’t really name our neighborhoods in Tulare, people just say what they live near or what street they live off of,” says Sousa. “The homes off Prosperity Avenue by Del Lago Park are really popular and then you have more established executive homes on Chevy Chase Street near the outlets.” The majority of single-family homes have a Mediterranean feel with stucco facades and tile roofs; many in the northeast and northwest portions of the city have private backyard pools. Manufactured homes are available in the far north and south ends of the city. Homes are surrounded by greenery, “It’s actually illegal to cut down oak trees without the city’s permission, so we have a ton of natural shade near homes,” Sousa says.
Spanish-Style Homes in This Subdivision Feature Tiled Roofs in Tulare
Parkview Mobile Home Estates in Tulare is a clean place for manufactured homes.
Craftsman style homes from the last century have been restored to their past glory in Tulare.
Most of the newer homes in Tulare have room for a swimming pool
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A-minus-rated Tulare Joint Union High School District
Kids In the city attend the Tulare City School District for elementary and middle school. The district holds a C-minus rating on Niche. Teens attend the Tulare Joint Union High School District, which has an A-minus Niche ranking and was named by the service as the top high school district in Tulare County. While the College of the Sequoias, a two-year community college, is in nearby Visalia, the school opened a Center for Agriculture and Technology campus in Tulare in 2013.
Solar Panel Shade for Parking at Tulare's Garden Elementary School
A marquee outside the Cherry Avenue Middle School in Tulare welcomes students.
Local students attend Tulare Union High School.
Graduates of College of Sequoias in Mooney can move on to pursue careers.
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Riding Highway 99 to Fresno
Highway 99 intersects the city from north to south. “Highway 99 is key, and you can take it south to Bakersfield or north to Fresno,” says Sousa. “But it also links with Interstate 5 so you can be at any of the southern California beaches in just three hours.” Locals can get around the city using the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency buses. The city also offers Dial-A-Ride on-demand transportation services. For air travel, locals will need to head 52 miles up Highway 99 to Fresno Yosemite International Airport, the closest commercial airport to Tulare.
Re-opening of Zumwalt Park
Crime rates have stayed consistent over the past few years, but Tulare does have a higher crime rate than the California and national average. The Tulare Police Department has initiatives to attempt to build a stronger connection with the community, like the PAL Program. The program encourages children to interact with police officers through fishing outings, archery classes and sporting events.
The City of Tulare is making efforts to improve the quality of life for its residents. One effort is the revitalization of the downtown area, incentivizing businesses to open in the district. The city also purchased a vacant former courthouse in 2024 and will use the space as a hub for over a dozen start-up businesses. Zumwalt Park in the heart of Tulare is set to reopen in the spring of 2025 with a new splash pad, an amphitheater for live events and new playground equipment.
Heat and air quality concerns
Because of Tulare’s agricultural industry, the city suffers from poor air quality. While the Sierra Nevada Mountains are just 20 miles to the east, locals rarely see them because of lingering haze in the air. The city also experiences extreme heat; temperatures often eclipse 100 degrees in the summer months.
A sign along Highway 99 reminds visitors of the rich history of agriculture in Tulare.
A Tulare Southeast jogger enjoys the view of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
A group of young women walk their dogs on the Santa Fe trail in Tulare.
Two Tulare friends meet up regularly to play a game of horseshoes at the nearby park.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
