Corning, California—Corning
isn't corny, though some say it's the pits (olive pits, that is). The
Olive City, home to the world's largest ripe olive cannery, might even be
described as zany, especially during the annual Corning Olive Festival in
August. That's when things that go on behind closed curtains are suddenly
aired like yesterday's linens on the streets of Corning in the heated Bed
Race, part of the antics at a community-fun celebration saluting Corning's
favorite crop. It's the type of merriment you may find in a road stop along
Interstate Highway 5.
The destination that
features half a dozen olive tasting rooms also enjoys gourmet edibles such as fine almonds and walnuts
grown and hand-picked at local orchards. You shouldn't go hungry in Corning
with Lindsey Olive Company & Bell Carter Foods, Sunsweet (Dried Plums,
Almonds, Walnuts and Peaches), Calico Groves fine Olive
Oil Products, Nash's Olive Oil, The Olive Hut and Olives Inc.
For over 4,000 years
olives have been enjoyed and their oils utilized in food preparation. In an
earlier time, the olive branch symbolized peace and was extended to the
enemy who was forced to acknowledge the conciliatory act. Corning embraces
the olive and all it represents. While their annual car shows,
contests, runs, races and competitions can get downright dirty (especially
in the Lawnmower Competition at Olive Festival), everyone shakes
hands and spends the rest of the year laughing about the fun they had.
Located two hours north of the historic California state capitol in
Sacramento and less than an hour south of the gleaming Sundial Bridge in
Redding, Olive City is much smaller than its neighbors. Less than 10,000
people live there but a typical day may see thousands upon thousands of cars
and vehicles fly by on the Interstate that begins at the Mexico border in
San Diego and continues onto Oregon and Washington states. The very first
municipal auto camp was built in Corning in the early 1900’s for travelers
passing by
and though the camp no longer exists, modern hotels with conveniences such
as air conditioning and cable television are as popular as the first car
park's offerings were.
At first glance you may
hardly notice Corning. A few road signs announce
hotels, shopping opportunities and the city's olive status. But what's
noticeable is the landscape on which the signage stands—there's
miles and miles of tan and gold-colored
grasses, a few barns, farms and livestock, but nothing outstanding, except
for the mountain peaks far away. Though their tops may appear white with a
dusting of snow, you're not sure if you want to get out of the car
when the temperature says it's 100 degrees. In the summer it can be hot in
Corning, though locals say it's a dry heat that's quite tolerable. Tehama
County is surrounded by snow-covered mountains including Lassen Peak with
its still active volcano in Lassen National Vocanic Park, imposing Mt.
Shasta, and the rugged alpine-looking Trinity Mountain Range.
Visitors and locals find
several ways to cope with the heat. They sip lots of drinks, go to the lakes
or head for the mountains where the air is cool. One of the closest spots to
cool off is Black Butte Lake, featuring 40 miles of
shoreline, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting,
hiking, picnicking and camping. Another recreational facility operated by
the California State Parks system is Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area.
The oak woodland
park nestled along the Sacramento River near Corning offers
spectacular scenery, a boat launch ramp, broad sand and
gravel beaches and great bird watching in the dense riparian forest. The
Bald Eagle nests there in the winter months and the Yellow Billed Cuckoo
enjoys its summers. Woodson Bridge, a 328 acre preserve, features over
100 plant species shaded by huge valley oak, California black walnut, Oregon
ash, sycamore and willow trees. Look for elderberries, wild grapes and
wildflowers that survive in the filtered light. Woodson Bridge State
Recreation Area is located on South Avenue three miles west of Highway 99 at Vina, or
six miles east of interstate 5 at Corning.
Call: (530) 839-2112.
http://parks.ca.gov
Though Corning, New York
is home to a famous designer glass studio, it's not to be confused with
Corning, California's shop called The Glassblowers. The California
studio does design glass items from three generations of local glass
artisans but the style of work is quite different and the prices more
affordable. Open to the public, The Glassblowers is located at
2985 Highway 99 W. and South Avenue, Corning, CA 9602.
Phone: (800) 886-7455.
The Corning Museum
includes displays of clothing, tools, pictures and items dating back over
100 years. The exhibits represent the
cultural heritage of Corning and Tehama County.
Corning Museum,
2512 Fennell Rd., Corning, CA 9602.
Call: (530) 824-5935
Nash's Olive Oil - It takes a ton of hand picked olives to produce between 15 to 20
gallons of quality olive oil at Nash's, home to Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Let
them tell you why their oil is the best, freshest product on the market.
Nash's Olive Oil,
Street 1210 Solano St., Corning CA 96021.
Phone (530) 824-5187.
www.nashsoliveoil.com
More olives in Corning:
The Olive Hut,
3487 Highway 99W,
Corning, CA 96021. Call:
(530) 824-5920.
www.olivehut.com
Olives Inc.,
Street Fig Lane Corning CA. Call: 925-634-4753
Special events in Corning
include May Madness Show, Shine and Cruise and Corning Olive Festival in
August. For additional events, see www.corningchamber.org
