Fresno, California

The city of Fresno is located in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The city proper 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 Sierra Nevada mountains.

Places to Go…

• Forestiere Underground Gardens, 5021 West Shaw Avenue – April through November – Wednesday through Sunday. Guided tours. The tour includes a tour guide who will teach you the life and work of Baldassare Forestiere. Walk through over 2.5 acres of tunnels, rooms and courtyards handbuilt by one man, see unique producing fruit trees and catacomb like structures.
• Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 West Belmont Avenue. November-February 9AM-4PM daily, March-October 9AM-6PM daily. A zoo located in Roeding Park near downtown Fresno that features many popular animal exhibits including the Winged Wonders Bird Show.
• Fresno Art Museum, 2233 N. 1st Street. The only modern art museum between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Collection includes contemporary art, as well as a large collection of Mexican art from pre-Columbian times to the present.
• Nonini Winery, 2640 N. Dickenson. Wine tasting and tours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
• Fresno Grizzlies. Minor league baseball team affiliated with the Houston Astros. Chukchansi Park.
• Fulton Mall, Fulton Street. A six-block pedestrian mall that features a large collection of public art and holds a spot on the California Register of Historical Places.

Things to Do…

• 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 as Vancouver and London.
• Shakespeare in the Park.
• Tower District Mardi Gras Parade.
• Island Water Park. Water slide park open between June and mid-September.
• Blackbeards Family Fun Center. 4055 N. Chestnut. Has batting cages, bumper boats, paintball, miniature golf, sprint cars, water slides and arcade games.
• About Town Taste – Walking Tours of Fresno. Unique walks through Fresno, featuring art, architecture, food, and local history.
• Back Country Off Road Tours. 37604 Cardinal Ln. Squaw Valley, Ca. 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.

Places to Shop…

As long as you’re right in the middle of California’s agricultural heartland, try the local produce. Fresno State’s Farm Market [29], at the corner of Chestnut and Barstow, sells the produce grown by the university’s agriculture department, plus fresh cheese, ice cream and wine. If you’re looking for a souvenir of the San Joaquin Valley, try the Sierra Nut House [30], for dried fruit, nuts, jams & jellies, and coffees & teas.

The Vineyard Farmer’s Market – at Shaw and Blackstone (Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons) is 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 from 5 to 9PM.

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 Dai-Bai-Dang Chinese restaurant, Lowes, Sam’s Club, Barnes & Noble, Pier 1 Imports, Target, and many more stores.

Places to Eat…

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. There are also many notable restaurants sprinkled elsewhere throughout the Fresno area.

• Campagnia – 1185 E. Champlain Drive. Upscale dining with great food and a nice bar.
• Dai Bai Dang – 7736 N. Blackstone Ave. Great Chinese cuisine.
• Doghouse Grill 2789 E Shaw Ave. Sports bar with lively atmosphere & raved-about tri-tip steak sandwich served with house BBQ sauce.
• Don Pepe Taqueria – 4950 N Woodrow Ave. Longtime takeout joint & eatery for beers & handmade Mexican food, like fish tacos & chile verde.
• Dusty Buns – 608 E. Weldon Ave.Gourmet sandwiches with local, seasonal ingredients.
• George’s Shish Kebab 3045 W. Bullard Ave. Armenian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
• Giulia’s – 3050 W Shaw Ave. Slightly more “upscale” Italian eatery.
• Grandmarie’s Chicken Pie Shop – 861 E. Olive Ave. Serving breakfast and chicken pot pies.
• Irene’s Cafe – 747 E Olive Avenue. A traditional coffee shop, known for its breakfast.
• The Landmark 644 E. Olive. Basque and traditional American food.
• Luby –1075 E Bullard Ave Chinese food.
• Mad Duck Eatery and Brewery – 3085 E Campus Pointe Dr. Airy, brick-walled tavern featuring its own small-batch brews, burgers & New American bar bites.
• Max’s Bistro & Bakery – 1784 W Bullard. French-inspired California cuisine.
• Mone`s International Market & Deli – 7975 North Cedar Avenue. Great Armenian, Russian, and Middle Eastern cuisine.
• Parma Herndon & Palm – Italian food, with homemade pastas.
• Pinot Wine Bar & Bistro – 805 E. Olive Ave.Seasonal menu, wine, and craft beer.
• Slates – 7455 N. Fresno St. One of Fresno chef Roy Harland’s creations, featuring contemporary American cuisine.
• Tahoe Joe’s – 7006 N. Cedar. Steakhouse that now has multiple locations in the state, but started in Fresno.
• Taqueria Don Pepe – 4582 N. Blackstone. Fast food (but good) style Mexican fare.
• Thai House – Thai food.
• Veni Vidi Vici – 1116 N Fulton St,. Good food, great atmosphere. At night fun music & a great patio.
• Wahoo Fish Tacos – 3053 Campus Dr. Casual counter-serve chain serving Mexican fare with Asian & Brazilian flavors, plus beer & wine.

Places to Stay…

• University Square Hotel, 4961 N Cedar Ave. Classic rooms & suites in a straightforward hotel with free Wi-Fi, breakfast & parking, plus a pool.
• University Inn, 2655 East Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710, ? (559) 294-0224, [15]. Budget motel. 2 stars. Straightforward rooms in a modern, low-rise motor inn offering an outdoor pool, free internet & free breakfast.
• Hilton Garden Inn, 520 W Shaw Ave, Clovis, CA. Modern rooms offer custom-designed beds, plus flat-screen TVs premium cable channels, microwaves, minifridges and free WiFi. 3 stars. Suites add separate living areas and pull-out sofas. A cooked-to-order breakfast is available (for a fee), and there’s an on-site restaurant serving American cuisine, as well as a bar and a 24/7 convenience store. There’s also a fitness center and an outdoor pool with a hot tub. Additional perks include 4 meeting rooms and a business center.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Clovis-Fresno Area, 650 W Shaw Ave, Clovis, CA 93612. Classic rooms come with desks and flat-screen TVs with cable channels, plus coffeemakers. There’s also free WiFi and high-pressure showerheads in the bathrooms, plus kids 19 and under stay free with an adult. 3 stars. Suites add sitting areas with pull-out sofas and kitchenettes with microwaves and minifridges.Amenities include a free breakfast buffet, a meeting room, outdoor pool and fitness/business centers, plus free parking. There’s are also free airport and 5-mile-radius shuttle service.
• Best Western Plus Fresno Inn, 480 E Shaw Ave. This straightforward hotel features free WiFi. The casual rooms offer desks and flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, as well as coffeemakers, minifridges and microwaves. 3 stars. Suites add sitting areas with pull-out sofas.Amenities include complimentary hot breakfast and parking, plus an outdoor pool, a hot tub and a fitness room. There’s also a 24-hour business center and on-site laundry.
• Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Fresno North, CA, 6065 North Thesta Street. Offers a variety of guestrooms and amenities and is close to many local attractions.
• Ramada Inn Fresno, 324 East Shaw, Fresno, CA 93710. The modest rooms have free WiFi and TVs, while some feature pull-out sofas. Suites add minifridges and microwaves. Kids 17 and under stay free with an adult. Amenities include free continental breakfast and parking, plus an American restaurant/bar, an outdoor pool, and fitness and business centers.
• Courtyard Fresno, 140 East Shaw Avenue. Near Bass, Shaver & Huntington Lakes for fishing, boating & hiking. Convenient to Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Wildwater Adventures and the Muex Home Museum.
• Homewood Suites, 6820 North Fresno Street. Suites with full kitchens, large work desk, free internet, flat screen TV. Guests have access to free hot breakfast, pool and fitness center.
• SpringHill Suites, 6844 North Fresno St. Suites with microwave, mini-fridge, free internet, flat screen TV. Guests have access to free parking, free hot breakfast, business center, pool and fitness center.
• Comfort Suites, 102 East Herndon Ave (Herndon Ave between Blackstone Ave and Freeway 41). All suites include micro/fridge, coffee/tea maker, free Wi-Fi, desk, two phone lines and sofa sleepers. Free hot breakfast served every morning, fitness room, indoor pool and hot tub.
• Vagabond Inn, 2570 S. East Ave. All rooms include free high-speed WiFi, coffee/tea maker and free parking. Complimentary breakfast served every morning.

Getting Around…

The drive to Fresno takes about 3 hours from San Francisco, 3.5 hours from Los Angeles, and 5.5 hours from San Diego. Coming from the southern Peninsula or South Bay, most people take U.S. Highway 101 to Gilroy, State Highway 152 over Pacheco Pass and through Los Banos, then State Highway 99 south to Fresno. From the northern Peninsula, one might take highway 92 over the San Mateo Bridge, to 880 North, then 580 East to 205 East to 5 North to 120 East to 99 South. From Los Angeles, take Interstate 5 north and State Highway 99 north. Fresno is accessible from the southern Central Coast by State Highway 41, usually used with State Highway 46. Fresno is the largest city in the United States without an Interstate highway running through it, but 99 provides much of that function and is slated to be upgraded to Interstate status.

CA-99 runs along the west side of the city, becoming semi-rural before exiting Fresno County on the northwest side of Fresno. CA-41 runs down the middle of the city.

In 2011, Fresno became the first town or city in the Central Valley to earn a Bronze Medal Designation from the League of American Bicyclists, recognizing Fresno as a bicycle friendly community. The city is in the process of further expanding its bike lanes in an effort to improve bike access.