64 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM in September for the Dark Sky Festival, which brings astrophysicists, astronauts and a small army of telescopes for an even deeper look. VENTURE INTO VISALIA Some might choose to rough it at camping locations throughout the park or at rustic accommodations like Wuksachi Lodge, Stony Creek Lodge and Montecito Se- {due west} intergalactic game of connect-thedots—the canopy of constellations comes into focus. Behold zodiac signs and listen to the ancient myth behind Ursa Major and Minor, the mother and son transformed into bears by the gods before they were flung into the sky. You’ll also learn some fascinating facts about our planets and glimpse a galaxy with the Seestar 30 smart telescope. Come quoia Lodge, but for those who’d rather return to civilization for a cushy bed and fine dining, venture to nearby Visalia. After your walk on the wild side, The Darling Hotel is the ideal place to unwind. This luxurious locale offers Art Deco flourishes, along with velvety furniture, gold light fixtures and rich wood-paneled suites. Rinse off the day under a gilded showerhead, then head upstairs to Elderwood, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. As you savor new American dishes with ingredients sourced from here in the San Joaquin Valley—and perhaps a classy craft cocktail or two—you will be treated to tree-lined views of downtown Visalia. After craning your neck up at all those sequoias earlier, this bird’s-eye view is a refreshing shift in perspective. The crowning glory of Visalia’s dining scene is Vintage Press, a jewel box of a restaurant arrayed in ornate embellishments and history. Its owner, an avid collector, outfitted the space with saloon PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: THE DARLING HOTEL ABOVE: Find Art Deco flourishes and warm hospitality at The Darling Hotel and its rooftop restaurant Elderwood.
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