Visitor Center to move | Sierra Star

The Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau (YSVB) will be moving its office and the Visitor Center to the former Miller’s Mountain Sports building at 40343 Highway 41. The bureau expects to to in its new location by Nov. 1, after the building is remodeled to fit the bureau’s needs.

In addition to housing the Visitor Center, new location will also serve as home to the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce and the Oakhurst branch of the US Forest Service.

The new location sits conveniently in the heart of Oakhurst, and great visibility, good access, and convenient parking for visitors.

The new YSVB building has a rich history in Oakhurst with strong community ties. Owner Ann Topham. along with her late husband, Fred, began construction on the building in June, 1969. Soon after, in 1970, it opened as Top Drugs and remained in business for 23 years.

The Topham Family has been active members in the community since they made their move to Oakhurst in May of 1959 after a friend suggested over Thanksgiving dinner that they open a pharmacy in Oakhurst.

“I am excited to have several great community organizations in the building and I believe it will be a wonderful opportunity for the visitors bureau,” Said Topham. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this.”

“We are excited about the additional exposure and convenience for our visitors that this new location offers,” said Steve Welch, one of the founders of the bureau, and a current YSVB board member.

“We are looking forward to being at the center of activity in Oakhurst and providing 24 hour information so our guests have all they need to enjoy their visit,” said Rhonda Salisbury, CEO of the visitors bureau.

The Visitor Center is the official tourist information center for Madera County and hosts more than 35,000 travelers annually. Each visitor is greeted by one of 30 volunteers who help them plan their trip, from assisting with lodging, finding a place to eat, road directions, hiking trails, and other attractions in the area.

Until the move, the bureau and Visitor Center will continue to operate in its current location at 40637 Highway 41 (across the highway from Denny’s).

- YSVB