A Californian Favourite with Something for Everyone - It’s Fresno
Situated along the Golden State Highway in California’s Central Valley, Fresno is home to a diverse population of around half a million people, not to mention the student population at the local campus of California State University. Fresno is best known for its agricultural output but visitors tend to be more interested in its arts scene and proximity to some of the state’s most beautiful outdoor spaces. Accommodation options here range from low-cost motels to smart hotels, with a small number of B&Bs thrown in for good measure.
Outdoor Living
Fresno is a wonderful place to be outdoors. While most of the 75 urban parks in the city offer some form of activity such as baseball and basketball, as well as accessible features for less mobile visitors, popular spots include the 300-acre Woodward Regional Park, where features include a Japanese garden and a bird sanctuary, and Oso de Oro Lake Park, where visitors will find several play areas and an antique riverboat. If you’re willing to travel a little further afield, the Sierra National Forest, as well as the Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Park, can be found within an hours’ drive of your Fresno hotel. Visitors can take advantage of the hiking, swimming, and camping opportunities and, in the winter months, the chance to enjoy downhill skiing and snowshoeing.
Family Fun
While most children will be happy enough exploring the green spaces both within and outside the city, there’s plenty more to keep little ones entertained. Kids of all ages will enjoy cooling down at the Island Waterpark on West Barstow Avenue or at the Wild Water Adventure Park in neighbouring Clovis (just seven miles northeast of downtown Fresno). You might also spoil the kids by treating them to a fun-filled day at the Blackbeard’s Family Entertainment park (North Chestnut Diagonal) or the 39-acre Fresno Chaffee Zoo (Roeding Park). Younger children might especially enjoy a trip to the Rotary Storyland & Playland on West Belmont Avenue. Plus, with the likes of Carmel-By-The-Sea and Morro Bay less than three hours away, a day at the beach is not out of the question.
Performing Arts
Fresno features many performing arts spaces. You might choose to watch a performance of the Fresno Ballet or Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra at the 2,300-seat William Saroyan Theatre or chuckle at one of the comedies on the bill at the Good Players Second Space Theatre. And if you’re on a tight budget, watch out for student-led performances at the California State University’s Experimental Theatre Company and Fresno City College’s theatre. Additional performance spaces in the city include the historic Warnors Theatre, the Fresno Convention Center, and the Save Mart Center, the latter an 18,000-seat venue that often plays host to big stars. During late March and early April, the Rough Festival offers visitors the chance to watch both local and touring fringe performers.
Shopping and Dining
Opportunities to enjoy a little retail therapy in Fresno are both numerous and diverse. It’s the kind of city where you can rummage for discarded gems at a thrift store one day and spend the afternoon strolling through high-end stores the next. Many of the city’s larger retail centres, such as the River Park Shopping Center on Blackstone Avenue, feature a good choice of restaurants although you’ll also find a cluster of dining options within the downtown area and the Tower District. From tapas to tacos, most culinary tastes are covered. Foodies can also enjoy the city’s various culinary festivals; options range from speciality events such as the annual Serbian and Greek food festivals to all-encompassing celebrations such as the Fresno Food Expo.
More Itinerary Ideas
Looking for more ideas for your itinerary? California’s fifth-largest city doesn’t disappoint. You might take a tour of historical buildings such as Fort Miller Blockhouse and Kearney Mansion, explore the Fresno Art Museum, the only modern art museum between LA and San Francisco, or immerse yourself in the hands-on activities available at the Discovery Centre. You can enjoy one of the city’s monthly ArtHop events, attend the annual Zombie Crawl, or enjoy a scenic drive along the Fresno County Blossom Trail. And don’t forget that nearby Clovis has plenty to offer too. You could hire a bike and set off on the Old Town Clovis Trail or enjoy a Clovis Wine Walk. There really is something for everyone here.