Fresno

United_States

Fresno is in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The city has a population, as of 2010, estimated at 505,479 and around 1 million live in the county.

Many visitors find themselves stopping in Fresno on the way to Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, or other destinations in the Sierras. The Save Mart Center at California State University, Fresno ("Fresno State") has also played host to concerts featuring high-profile acts.

Fresno's most famous son is the writer William Saroyan, after whom a local theater is named. The city has a large Hmong community.

Winter weather typically features highs around, and "extreme" lows in the low to mid 30s F, often with morning fog and sometimes frost. Rain fall is sparse and occurs exclusively in winter and early spring months. Most rain storms last less than 2 days and are often spread weeks apart. It is not uncommon to experience hail, however it is very rare to see snow fall on the valley floor. The few times it does snow, the snow rarely sticks over night. While winter temperatures can reach below freezing, most all storms feature "warm fronts" that more or less eliminate the chance for snow (mid to low 40s F is a typical "cold" rain storm).

Summer temperatures average in the mid-90s F. Days with high temperatures or above are not uncommon. Humidity is only around 20% in the afternoon, though, making for a more bearable dry heat. The chance to find over 110° days commonly occurs beginning late July and continuing to mid August. During these days the low nighttime temperature will only get down to the mid 80s F. It is common for a heat wave to last two weeks.

  • Forestiere Underground Gardens, 5021 West Shaw Ave, +1 559-271-0734. Summer Schedule: Wednesday through Sunday. Off-Season: Weekends (Weather Permitting). Call for times and reservations (required). The Forestiere Underground Gardens are a complex of underground gardens and rooms built by Sicilian immigrant Baldasare Forestiere between 1906 and his death in 1946. Seniors (59+) $8, Adults $9, Teens (13-17) $7, Children (4-12) $6.
  • Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 West Belmont Ave, +1 559-498-5910. November–February 9AM-4PM daily, March–October 9AM-6PM daily. A zoo in Roeding Park near downtown Fresno that features many popular animal exhibits including the Winged Wonders Bird Show.
  • Fresno Art Museum, 2233 N. 1st St, +1 559-441-4221. The only modern art museum between Los Angeles and San Francisco. FAM's collection includes contemporary art, and a large collection of Mexican art from pre-Columbian times to the present.
  • Nonini Winery, 2640 N. Dickenson, +1 559-275-1936. Wine tasting and tours M-Sa 9AM to 4PM. Call ahead to schedule a tour.
  • Fresno Grizzlies, 1800 Tulare St, +1 559-320-4487. Triple-A Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the Washington Nationals. Chukchansi Park. is located downtown, built in 2002 specifically for the team. From $7 to $44.
  • Fresno State Bulldogs, 1600 E. Bulldog Ln. (south entrance to Bulldog Stadium), +1 559-278-DOGS. M-F 9AM-4:30PM (in person), 8AM-5PM (phone). Football game days, 10AM-halftime. The sports teams of Fresno State (formally California State University, Fresno), competing in a total of 20 sports (8 for men, 12 for women), with almost all teams in the Mountain West Conference. Football has traditionally been the highest-profile sport, with men's basketball a close second, but many other sports are nationally competitive, notably baseball and softball. Essentially all venues are on campus, most notably Bulldog Stadium (football) and the city's main indoor venue, Save Mart Center (basketball).
  • Fulton Mall, Fulton St. Traffic is being reintroduced to this formerly traffic-free six-block pedestrian mall. The mall features a large collection of public art and holds a spot on the California Register of Historical Places. Though the area does not have a robust retail or restaurant scene, it is home to Fresno Brewing Company (coffee and craft beers), Twee (artsy, hip, and often local home goods and gift items), and several other retail and dining outlets.
  • Fresno FC, 1800 Tulare Street Fresno, CA 93721, +1 559 320-2525. Fresno Football Club is the first professional soccer team in the San Joaquin Valley. They are a member of the United Soccer league (one division below Major League Soccer). Their first season was in March 2018 and they play in Chuckchansi Parki in down town Fresno. $17 to 77 USD.

Forestiere Underground Gardens, 5021 West Shaw Ave, +1 559-271-0734. Summer Schedule: Wednesday through Sunday. Off-Season: Weekends (Weather Permitting). Call for times and reservations (required). The Forestiere Underground Gardens are a complex of underground gardens and rooms built by Sicilian immigrant Baldasare Forestiere between 1906 and his death in 1946. Seniors (59+) $8, Adults $9, Teens (13-17) $7, Children (4-12) $6.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 West Belmont Ave, +1 559-498-5910. November–February 9AM-4PM daily, March–October 9AM-6PM daily. A zoo in Roeding Park near downtown Fresno that features many popular animal exhibits including the Winged Wonders Bird Show.

Fresno Art Museum, 2233 N. 1st St, +1 559-441-4221. The only modern art museum between Los Angeles and San Francisco. FAM's collection includes contemporary art, and a large collection of Mexican art from pre-Columbian times to the present.

Nonini Winery, 2640 N. Dickenson, +1 559-275-1936. Wine tasting and tours M-Sa 9AM to 4PM. Call ahead to schedule a tour.

Fresno Grizzlies, 1800 Tulare St, +1 559-320-4487. Triple-A Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the Washington Nationals. Chukchansi Park. is located downtown, built in 2002 specifically for the team. From $7 to $44.

Fresno State Bulldogs, 1600 E. Bulldog Ln. (south entrance to Bulldog Stadium), +1 559-278-DOGS. M-F 9AM-4:30PM (in person), 8AM-5PM (phone). Football game days, 10AM-halftime. The sports teams of Fresno State (formally California State University, Fresno), competing in a total of 20 sports (8 for men, 12 for women), with almost all teams in the Mountain West Conference. Football has traditionally been the highest-profile sport, with men's basketball a close second, but many other sports are nationally competitive, notably baseball and softball. Essentially all venues are on campus, most notably Bulldog Stadium (football) and the city's main indoor venue, Save Mart Center (basketball).

Fulton Mall, Fulton St. Traffic is being reintroduced to this formerly traffic-free six-block pedestrian mall. The mall features a large collection of public art and holds a spot on the California Register of Historical Places. Though the area does not have a robust retail or restaurant scene, it is home to Fresno Brewing Company (coffee and craft beers), Twee (artsy, hip, and often local home goods and gift items), and several other retail and dining outlets.

Fresno FC, 1800 Tulare Street Fresno, CA 93721, +1 559 320-2525. Fresno Football Club is the first professional soccer team in the San Joaquin Valley. They are a member of the United Soccer league (one division below Major League Soccer). Their first season was in March 2018 and they play in Chuckchansi Parki in down town Fresno. $17 to 77 USD.

  • Island Waterpark. - located in Fresno
  • Rogue Festival. March. Modeled on the Canadian and North American Fringe Festivals, the Rogue showcases both local and national artists, with dance, music, comedy, film, art, and theatre at venues around the Tower District. Performers come from around the state, and even as far as Vancouver and London.
  • Shakespeare in the Park.
  • Tower District Mardi Gras Parade.
  • Reel Pride. The sixth oldest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in the country takes place every year in Fresno's Tower District.
  • Island Water Park, +1 559-277-6800. Water slide park open between June and mid-September.
  • Blackbeards Family Fun Center, 4055 N. Chestnut, +1 559-292-6386. Has batting cages, bumper boats, paintball, miniature golf, sprint cars, water slides and arcade games.
  • About Town Taste - Walking Tours of Fresno. F 6PM, SA 10AM. Unique walks through Fresno, featuring art, architecture, food, and local history. Advance reservations needed via info@AboutTownTaste.com. Four tours available: Downtown Art & Architecture; Art Born of Graffiti: Murals; Art & Antiques: Old Town Clovis; and Tower Art Taste. $25pp.
  • Back Country Off Road Tours, 37604 Cardinal Ln. Squaw Valley, Ca. 93675, +1 559-470-8086. Tour eastern Fresno County and the Sierra Nevadas with a local who has 30 years of experience as a guide of nearby parks. Tours may include waterfalls, meadows, fishing, camping, beautiful vistas and trails, and also information about historical logging operations, efforts to preserve the world-famous redwood groves, and stories of historical figures. Tours can be tailored to areas of specific interest. Call for details.

Island Waterpark. - located in Fresno

Rogue Festival. March. Modeled on the Canadian and North American Fringe Festivals, the Rogue showcases both local and national artists, with dance, music, comedy, film, art, and theatre at venues around the Tower District. Performers come from around the state, and even as far as Vancouver and London.

Shakespeare in the Park.

Tower District Mardi Gras Parade.

Reel Pride. The sixth oldest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in the country takes place every year in Fresno's Tower District.

Island Water Park, +1 559-277-6800. Water slide park open between June and mid-September.

Blackbeards Family Fun Center, 4055 N. Chestnut, +1 559-292-6386. Has batting cages, bumper boats, paintball, miniature golf, sprint cars, water slides and arcade games.

About Town Taste - Walking Tours of Fresno. F 6PM, SA 10AM. Unique walks through Fresno, featuring art, architecture, food, and local history. Advance reservations needed via info@AboutTownTaste.com. Four tours available: Downtown Art & Architecture; Art Born of Graffiti: Murals; Art & Antiques: Old Town Clovis; and Tower Art Taste. $25pp.

Back Country Off Road Tours, 37604 Cardinal Ln. Squaw Valley, Ca. 93675, +1 559-470-8086. Tour eastern Fresno County and the Sierra Nevadas with a local who has 30 years of experience as a guide of nearby parks. Tours may include waterfalls, meadows, fishing, camping, beautiful vistas and trails, and also information about historical logging operations, efforts to preserve the world-famous redwood groves, and stories of historical figures. Tours can be tailored to areas of specific interest. Call for details.

  • Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market, 5368 N. Chestnut Ave (corner of Chestnut and Barstow. As long as you're right in the middle of California's agricultural heartland, try the local produce. Fresno State's Farm Market sells the produce grown by the university's agriculture department, plus fresh cheese, ice cream and wine. Fresno State is one of a few universities in the United States with a wine-making program that can sell its products to the public.
  • Sierra Nut House. If you're looking for a souvenir of the San Joaquin Valley, try the Sierra Nut House for dried fruit, nuts, jams & jellies, and coffees & teas.
  • The Vineyard Farmer's Market. Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. The largest and most extensive of the farmer's markets in the area. Open year round twice a week on Wednesday afternoons from 3-6PM and Saturdays 7AM till noon. During summer, there is also one in Old Town Clovis every Friday evening.
  • Riverpark Shopping Center, Corner of Blackstone Ave. and Nees Ave.. The most popular shopping center and hangout in the city of Fresno. Contains Edwards Movie Theatres, the famous Dai-Bai-Dang Chinese restaurant, Lowes, Sam's Club, Barnes & Noble, Pier 1 Imports, Target, and many more stores.

Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market, 5368 N. Chestnut Ave (corner of Chestnut and Barstow. As long as you're right in the middle of California's agricultural heartland, try the local produce. Fresno State's Farm Market sells the produce grown by the university's agriculture department, plus fresh cheese, ice cream and wine. Fresno State is one of a few universities in the United States with a wine-making program that can sell its products to the public.

Sierra Nut House. If you're looking for a souvenir of the San Joaquin Valley, try the Sierra Nut House for dried fruit, nuts, jams & jellies, and coffees & teas.

The Vineyard Farmer's Market. Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. The largest and most extensive of the farmer's markets in the area. Open year round twice a week on Wednesday afternoons from 3-6PM and Saturdays 7AM till noon. During summer, there is also one in Old Town Clovis every Friday evening.

Riverpark Shopping Center, Corner of Blackstone Ave. and Nees Ave.. The most popular shopping center and hangout in the city of Fresno. Contains Edwards Movie Theatres, the famous Dai-Bai-Dang Chinese restaurant, Lowes, Sam's Club, Barnes & Noble, Pier 1 Imports, Target, and many more stores.

River Park Plaza contains many popular chain restaurants, including The Elephant Bar, Tony Roma's, Logans Steak House, Yoshino's Sushi House, and Hooters. For a large and diverse concentration of local establishments, head to the Tower District (http://www.towerdistrict.org/). There are also many notable restaurants sprinkled elsewhere throughout the Fresno area.

  • Campagnia, 1185 E. Champlain Dr, +1 559 433-3300. Upscale dining with great food and a nice bar.
  • Dai Bai Dang, 7736 N. Blackstone Ave, +1 559 448-8894. Great Chinese cuisine.
  • Dusty Buns, 608 E. Weldon Ave (Fresno High Area. W-Sa 5-9PM. Gourmet sandwiches with local, seasonal ingredients.
  • George's Shish Kebab, 3045 W. Bullard Ave, +1 559 449-0100. Armenian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
  • Giulia's, 3050 W Shaw Ave, +1 559 276-3573. Slightly more "upscale" Italian eatery.
  • Grandmarie's Chicken Pie Shop, 861 E. Olive Ave (Tower District, +1 559 237-5042. Serving breakfast and chicken pot pies; go for the mid-century-era electric green booths and stay for the food.
  • Irene's Cafe, 747 E Olive Ave (Tower District, +1 559 237-9919. A traditional coffee shop, known for its breakfast.
  • The Landmark, 644 E. Olive (Tower District, +1 559 233-6505. Basque and traditional American food. Often live music.
  • Luby, 1075 E Bullard Ave, +1 559 439-8357. Chinese food. Only has a few tables.
  • Max's Bistro & Bakery, 1784 W Bullard, +1 559 439-6900. French-inspired California cuisine.
  • Mone`s International Market & Deli, 7975 North Cedar Ave, +1 559 438-8975. Great Armenian, Russian, and Middle Eastern cuisine, as well as some very interesting international products.
  • Parma, +1 559 432-3389. Italian food, with homemade pastas.
  • Slates, 7455 N. Fresno St, +1 559 256-4141. One of Fresno chef Roy Harland's creations, featuring contemporary American cuisine.
  • Tahoe Joe's, 7006 N. Cedar and 2700 W. Shaw, +1 559 299-9740 (Cedar), +1 559 277-8028 (Shaw). Steakhouse that now has multiple locations in the state, but started in Fresno.
  • Taqueria Don Pepe, 4582 N. Blackstone, +1 559 224-1431. Look for the old style of KFC building. Fast food (but good) style Mexican fare.
  • Thai House, 1069 E Shaw, +1 559 221-7245. Thai food.

Campagnia, 1185 E. Champlain Dr, +1 559 433-3300. Upscale dining with great food and a nice bar.

Dai Bai Dang, 7736 N. Blackstone Ave, +1 559 448-8894. Great Chinese cuisine.

Dusty Buns, 608 E. Weldon Ave (Fresno High Area. W-Sa 5-9PM. Gourmet sandwiches with local, seasonal ingredients.

George's Shish Kebab, 3045 W. Bullard Ave, +1 559 449-0100. Armenian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Giulia's, 3050 W Shaw Ave, +1 559 276-3573. Slightly more "upscale" Italian eatery.

Grandmarie's Chicken Pie Shop, 861 E. Olive Ave (Tower District, +1 559 237-5042. Serving breakfast and chicken pot pies; go for the mid-century-era electric green booths and stay for the food.

Irene's Cafe, 747 E Olive Ave (Tower District, +1 559 237-9919. A traditional coffee shop, known for its breakfast.

The Landmark, 644 E. Olive (Tower District, +1 559 233-6505. Basque and traditional American food. Often live music.

Luby, 1075 E Bullard Ave, +1 559 439-8357. Chinese food. Only has a few tables.

Max's Bistro & Bakery, 1784 W Bullard, +1 559 439-6900. French-inspired California cuisine.

Mone`s International Market & Deli, 7975 North Cedar Ave, +1 559 438-8975. Great Armenian, Russian, and Middle Eastern cuisine, as well as some very interesting international products.

Parma, +1 559 432-3389. Italian food, with homemade pastas.

Slates, 7455 N. Fresno St, +1 559 256-4141. One of Fresno chef Roy Harland's creations, featuring contemporary American cuisine.

Tahoe Joe's, 7006 N. Cedar and 2700 W. Shaw, +1 559 299-9740 (Cedar), +1 559 277-8028 (Shaw). Steakhouse that now has multiple locations in the state, but started in Fresno.

Taqueria Don Pepe, 4582 N. Blackstone, +1 559 224-1431. Look for the old style of KFC building. Fast food (but good) style Mexican fare.

Thai House, 1069 E Shaw, +1 559 221-7245. Thai food.

Night life in Fresno is great if you're in the right areas.

  • Dirty Olive, 9455 North Fort Washington Road #104, +1 559 434-3077.
  • Elephant Bar, 7965 N. Blackstone Ave, +1 559 226-2110.
  • Five, 1110 E Champlain Dr, +1 559 434-5553.
  • Last Call @ Zapp's Park.
  • Organic Pastures, 7221 South Jameson Avenue (20 minutes outside of Madera. California's last and only raw (unpasteurized) milk dairy. The owners are a family farm who are passionate about raw milk. You can buy fresh cold just milked milk and dairy products right from the farm itself.
  • Spokeasy Public House, 1472 N Van Ness Avenue, +1 559 4927765. Bicycle-themed bar that offers craft beer and arcade games in the Tower District
  • Strummer's Bar & Grill, 833 E Fern Avenue, +1 559 4855356. Music venue in the Tower District

  • Alibi, 4538 E Belmont Avenue, +1 559 2522899.
  • FAB, 716 E Olive Avenue, +1 559 4923911.
  • The Red Lantern, 4618 E Belmont Avenue, +1 559 2515898.

Alibi, 4538 E Belmont Avenue, +1 559 2522899.

FAB, 716 E Olive Avenue, +1 559 4923911.

The Red Lantern, 4618 E Belmont Avenue, +1 559 2515898.

Dirty Olive, 9455 North Fort Washington Road #104, +1 559 434-3077.

Elephant Bar, 7965 N. Blackstone Ave, +1 559 226-2110.

Five, 1110 E Champlain Dr, +1 559 434-5553.

Last Call @ Zapp's Park.

Organic Pastures, 7221 South Jameson Avenue (20 minutes outside of Madera. California's last and only raw (unpasteurized) milk dairy. The owners are a family farm who are passionate about raw milk. You can buy fresh cold just milked milk and dairy products right from the farm itself.

Spokeasy Public House, 1472 N Van Ness Avenue, +1 559 4927765. Bicycle-themed bar that offers craft beer and arcade games in the Tower District

Strummer's Bar & Grill, 833 E Fern Avenue, +1 559 4855356. Music venue in the Tower District

Crime presents considerable concerns in Fresno. Caution should be exercised in parts of the city located south of Shaw Avenue during daytime, and avoid those parts of the city at night. Exercise caution at night in the Tower District, which contains various options for nightlife.

Unlike other parts of California, earthquakes of any magnitude are infrequent in Fresno and surrounding areas. If felt, the quakes tend to cause very little (if any) damage.

  • Fresno County Public Library Main Branch, 2420 Mariposa St, +1-559-600-READ.

Fresno County Public Library Main Branch, 2420 Mariposa St, +1-559-600-READ.

  • Woodward Park is a large grassy park on the north side of Fresno, on Friant Road. There is an entry fee of $5 per car,but if you get there early enough (usually before 7AM) there is no charge.
  • Roeding Park is another large park in southwest Fresno. It contains the Chaffee Zoo and small amusement parks Storyland and Playland. It has the same $5 entry fee.

  • Mexico Mexico, 7435 N Ingram Ave, +1 559 233-3065. M-F 8AM-5PM.

Mexico Mexico, 7435 N Ingram Ave, +1 559 233-3065. M-F 8AM-5PM.

Woodward Park is a large grassy park on the north side of Fresno, on Friant Road. There is an entry fee of $5 per car,but if you get there early enough (usually before 7AM) there is no charge.

Roeding Park is another large park in southwest Fresno. It contains the Chaffee Zoo and small amusement parks Storyland and Playland. It has the same $5 entry fee.

The adjacent town of Clovis has a small "old town" with numerous antique stores. The last weekend of April the town hosts the Clovis Rodeo.

Millerton Lake is about 20 miles northeast of Fresno on Friant Road. It's a popular site for fishing and waterskiing.

Many locals escape the summer heat at the lakes in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. These lakes have recreation areas, campgrounds, and bed and breakfasts:

  • Shaver Lake (with nearby Sierra Summit ski resort)
  • Huntington Lake
  • Bass Lake
  • Pine Flat Lake