Editing Oakhurst, California (section)

==Geography==
Oakhurst is located {{convert|3|mi|0}} south-southwest of [[Yosemite Forks, California|Yosemite Forks]], along the [[Fresno River]], and sits at an elevation of {{convert|2274|ft}}.<ref name="gnis" />

Surrounded by mountains in the upper [[Ecology of the Sierra Nevada#Foothill Woodland and Chaparral Zone|Sierra Nevada foothills]], Oakhurst acts as a significant geographic crossroads. It is bordered by the [[Fresno River]] to the west and north. To the south, there are roads leading to the [[San Joaquin Valley]], and to the east, paths extend to Crane Flat and the [[Ecology of the Sierra Nevada#Alpine Zone|High Sierra]]. Historically, this strategic positioning made Oakhurst an important meeting location for Native American tribes across [[Central California]]. Today, Oakhurst remains a critical hub, connecting mountain routes that lead in all four compass directions.<ref>{{cite news |title=The History Of The Towns And Cities |newspaper=Madera Tribune |volume=77 |date=21 May 1968 |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19680521.2.84&srpos=12&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-coarsegold+stage+road-------}}</ref>

Oakhurst is positioned at the southern end of California's [[Gold Country]], on [[California State Route 49|Highway 49]]. It bridges the [[San Joaquin Valley]] and the [[Yosemite Valley]] via [[California State Route 41|Highway 41]]. Nearby communities include [[Ahwahnee, California|Ahwahnee]], [[Coarsegold, California|Coarsegold]] and [[Bass Lake, California|Bass Lake]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|33.5|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|0.007|sqmi|3}}, or 0.02%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021"/>