Avenal sits within easy driving range of Carrizo Plain National Monument, where sweeping grasslands and spring wildflowers reward visitors and primitive camping offers wide-open skies. San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is another nearby destination for boating, fishing, and developed campsites with day-use parking that can handle a travel trailer. A scenic drive along Panoche Road and connecting stretches of Highway 33 provides memorable views and straightforward access from Avenal, with pullouts and trailheads suitable for unhitched day trips. Plan parking and campground reservations ahead, especially during peak seasons.