Mr. Tambo has what I believe a great suggestion. That's Santa Fe Blvd, stretching from Riverbank yard MP 1096 all the way south (railroad east) to East Switch Sharon MP 1032. Also, the weeds are bright green and the Sierras have pretty good snow cover. Hopefully, you'll be met with very clear air or interesting clouds. Some good places for almonds (ow-mins? ammins?)are near: East Empire, Hughson, Swanson, and Ballico. They're are really peaking this week. South of Merced you won't see as many orchards along the Santa Fe, as it's more about cattle ranches, but that certainly isn't the rule. Plenty of bridges on this route, as well. There are many freeway close orchards along Hwy 99 adjacent the SP, too. Highway City has a couple of decent locations, and if you are quick on the draw, you can navigate the many on/off exits along this way without getting creamed to get what I believe are some of the longest running freeway close opportunities for mainline foamin' in California: Hwy 99 from Stockton to Bakersfield.

If you're interested in catching the usually dependable SJVR, you'll find excellent stonefruit blooms by Reedley, Kingsburg and Sanger. Follow the UP along Golden State Blvd. from Fresno all the way south to Kingsburg, roughly 20+ miles. The SJVR interchanges with the UP just south of the old SP Fresno depot (which still has its Pullman sheds). The BNSF (ex-ATSF) yard is also along that way, and you can railfan under the shade of the Golden State Blvd (once was State Route 99) overpass at the diamond at Calwa Crossing.