Oakhurst is an unincorporated community in the northeastern corner of Madera County, California, set in the pine-and-oak foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It sits at the junction of Highway 41, the main route between Fresno and Yosemite National Park, and Highway 49, the historic Gold Country highway whose southern terminus is here. The community lies about 14 miles south of Yosemite's southern entrance and roughly 50 miles north of Fresno, making it the largest and most fully served gateway town on the park's southern approach. The community began as a lumber town called Fresno Flats, with a large mill that operated where the Old Mill Shopping Center now stands. Timber shaped its early economy, and the name Oakhurst was adopted to reflect the oak-studded landscape. Its position at the edge of California's Gold Country and the entrance to the Sierra gave it a durable role as a supply point and stopover for travelers, a role it still fills today as the hub of Madera County's "Gateway to Yosemite" corridor. Oakhurst today is a tourism-centered foothill town with a population of roughly 5,900. Lodging, dining, and outdoor services line Highway 41, and the community serves as the base for visits to Yosemite, Bass Lake, and the Sierra National Forest. It is home to the Yosemite Unified School District, including Yosemite High School, and to the region's main visitor center. Year-round residents mix with second-home owners and a workforce tied to tourism, forestry, healthcare, and commuting to the valley. For homebuyers, Oakhurst offers mountain foothill living with genuine amenities, four-season recreation, and a lower cost of entry than many other Sierra communities, all within reach of both a national park and a major Central Valley city. It suits outdoor enthusiasts, remote workers, and those seeking a gateway-town lifestyle with Yosemite practically next door.