Now I'm not dissing the town here...Coalinga may be hot and tiny, but I figure every place has something cool or interesting about it if you look.

Just wondering if anyone has taken in any interesting sights or found something cool in Coalinga...

I was actually there for the Horned Toad Derby last year (not planned), the fair was fun and the margaritas were good, but we missed the dang derby!

I also found a kinda nice coffee shop in that shady downtown area, looks like college students might hang out there.

I haven't made it to the Baker Museum yet, but I REALLY want to check the "Iron Zoo" where they painted the oil rigs to look like animals!!

Qwerty,

Damn girl, I've never even heard of these things! I think that I should start hanging out more with you! lol =) All I have seen is the K-mart, but I started visiting PVSP late July of last year, so maybe I will get to see more of Coalinga, I'll be sure to look for the places that you are mentioning when I go in April, do you have like a link to them? I've also visited the gift shop at the Harris Ranch and i've had dinner there, does that count? lol

Rebeca

I haven't made it to Harris Ranch yet, it's on my list... but I sure have put in major miles at that K-mart!!!! :D

If I go there before heading home I always see a bunch of ladies from the visiting room there too... and I'm starting to recognize their outfits LOL like, ooooh that was on sale this week...

Here's some pictures of the Iron Zoo: try offbeattravel.com/coalinga.html or just google: iron zoo coalinga.

The Baker museum I've just seen from the road on the way into the prison from my side of town, it's near the corner of Jayne and 198, across from where the Perko's and Starbucks are.

Here's the biggest event of the year:

May 26 – 29, 2006 Coalinga’s Centennial Horned Toad Derby, 70th Annual

Who knew this year Coalinga is 100 years old!!

Thanks for the info on that. I did try to find something about the Toad Derby, but all I got was the website for the city of Coalinga and I didn't find any description there. But I will be sure to head over there after visit. We should meet up and have a Margarita! lol

Rebeca

There will be a fair at Olson (the one on the right when you enter) Park, with rides, food , games and booths on April 8-9 Sat& Sun. This Sat Aril 1, is Week of the young child and will be celebrating it with family picnics next to the Child Development Center from 9-12 am, well you'll probably be at visit but for the fair it runs all day.

If your lookig for good food STOP going to MC Donalds. Their is good Mexican food at various locations, first on 5th street to the left in front of the car wash , they have good tacos, everything their is good, then where the laundry is and the RN Market shopping center is a place called MARIAS, they have chips and salsa while you wait, and good home tasting mexican dishes. CAzuelas off by Motel 6, has good carne asada tortas, and food. The chineese food is on the corner of 5 th street to the right and its GOOD!. Pizza the best one is FATTES, also on 5th ST., try their slice of pizza with ranch dressing to dip and you'll come back.

If you need anymore info. PM I'll let you know whats up in Coalinga I use to go to PVSP for 2 years, until Jan, my hubby moved but I have made many friends that live in Coalinga. Anything I can help with just PM me since I usually have a favorite link that takes me just to the KVSP section.

Ooooh Nit4life thanks so much for all the great restaurant info!!!! :D

I've eaten at Las Cazuelas and it was good, but now I'm going to try all the others...

Rebeca, you're on -- margaritas (they're made with wine but still pretty good) at the Horned Toad Derby! Any other takers??? :)

Q,

Margaritas with wine? I've never tried them like that but I'll try anything once! I hope that someone else wants to join us!

Nit4life, thanks for the awesome information, however I don't think that I will make it for that weekend =( But I sure will try!

Rebeca