Download GPX file for this article
36.778-119.793Full screen dynamic map

From Wikivoyage
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Fresno is in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The city has a population estimated at 530,000 and around 1 million live in the county (2019).

Understand

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.

Climate

Fresno
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
2.2
 
 
55
38
 
 
 
2
 
 
62
42
 
 
 
2
 
 
68
46
 
 
 
1
 
 
75
49
 
 
 
0.4
 
 
84
56
 
 
 
0.2
 
 
92
62
 
 
 
0
 
 
98
68
 
 
 
0
 
 
97
66
 
 
 
0.2
 
 
91
62
 
 
 
0.6
 
 
80
53
 
 
 
1.1
 
 
65
43
 
 
 
1.8
 
 
55
38
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches
See Fresno Aiport's 7 day forecast    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
56
 
 
13
3
 
 
 
51
 
 
17
6
 
 
 
51
 
 
20
8
 
 
 
25
 
 
24
9
 
 
 
10
 
 
29
13
 
 
 
5.1
 
 
33
17
 
 
 
0
 
 
37
20
 
 
 
0
 
 
36
19
 
 
 
5.1
 
 
33
17
 
 
 
15
 
 
27
12
 
 
 
28
 
 
18
6
 
 
 
46
 
 
13
3
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Winter weather typically features highs around 60 °F (16 °C), 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 110 °F (43 °C) 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.

Get in

By plane

1 Fresno/Yosemite International Airport (FAT  IATA formerly, "Fresno Air Terminal") (5.5 mi (8.9 km) northeast of downtown towards Clovis). This airport is accessed via N Peach Ave from CA-180 or E Clinton Ave from CA-168. It is the nearest commercial airport for year round commercial air service to Yosemite National Park and is the major airport serving the San Joaquin Valley in Central California and a crew base for SkyWest Airlines. The following airlines offer service from:

There are taxis, rideshare and hotel shuttles to bring you into town locally and long shuttles and buses for onward transport to Yosemite National Park, Hanford, Lenmore and Visalia. There are also car rental available from the airport which is the preferred method for greater flexibility in getting around. See this Link for a list of ground transport providers. The #26 bus connects the airport to downtown Fresno and the up north along N Palm Ave to Villaggio Mall while #39 bus goes west along Clinton to W Clinton and Brawey Ave in the west side of town, nowhere near downtown. Fresno Yosemite International Airport (Q2720229) on Wikidata Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Wikipedia (updated Apr 2020)

By train

Amtrak serves Fresno with six trains a day via its San Joaquin route, running south to Bakersfield and north to either Sacramento or Oakland. 2 Fresno station is in a historic Santa Fe Passenger Depot at 2650 Tulare St.

Fresno is also planned to become one of the first stops of the LA to San Francisco high speed rail system that is under construction, with a planned partial opening in 2022.

By car

Almost everybody gets to Fresno by car. The drive to Fresno takes about 3 hours from San Francisco, 3½ hours from Los Angeles, and 5½ 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.

By bus

Greyhound has a terminal next to Amtrak in downtown Fresno. Exercise caution in this area at night.

  • Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS). Year-round. The YARTS shuttle travels on Highway 41 between Fresno and Wawona and Yosemite Valley, with stops at the Fresno Amtrak/Greyhound station, Fresno airport, CSU Fresno (Shaw & Barton), North Fresno (Howard & Fresno), and the Highway 145 Park & Ride. Ticket prices include park entry, and can be purchased from the shuttle driver. (updated Feb 2016)
  • Flixbus, runs service along the 99 corridor.
  • V-Line runs six times a day between Visalia, Fresno airport, the university, and downtown Fresno.
  • KART, runs twice a day, weekdays, to Hanford.
  • Fresno County Rural Transit, runs service out to the small communities in Fresno County. Schedules vary.

Get around

By car

As is typical in California Central Valley cities, a car is useful and often necessary to access most parts of town. Traffic congestion in Fresno is not as bad as larger places in California, but Shaw and Herndon avenues can get quite crowded, especially since there is no east-west freeway through the north side. 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. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s these were the only freeways in Fresno, but a surge in growth has spurred the development of the CA-180 and CA-168 freeways.

By bus

There is a modest bus system, Fresno Area Express (FAX), but a car would be advised.

By bike

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 expanding its bike lanes further in an effort to improve bike access.

See

  • 1 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. Forestiere Underground Gardens (Q5469244) on Wikidata Forestiere Underground Gardens on Wikipedia 
  • 2 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 Chaffee Zoo (Q5503166) on Wikidata Fresno Chaffee Zoo on Wikipedia 
  • 3 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. Fresno Art Museum (Q22077983) on Wikidata Fresno Art Museum on Wikipedia 
  • 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. 1 Chukchansi Park is located downtown, built in 2002 for the team. From $7 to $44. Fresno Grizzlies (Q3106580) on Wikidata Fresno Grizzlies on Wikipedia 
  • Fresno State Bulldogs, 1600 E. Bulldog Ln. (south entrance to Bulldog Stadium), ☏ +1 559-278-DOGS (3647). 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). Fresno State Bulldogs (Q2927988) on Wikidata Fresno State Bulldogs on Wikipedia 
  • 4 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. Fulton Mall (Q5508451) on Wikidata Fulton Mall (Fresno) on Wikipedia (updated Oct 2016)
  • Fresno FC (Fresno Soccer Team), 1800 Tulare Street, ☏ +1 559 320-2525. Fresno Football Club is the first professional soccer team in the San Joaquin Valley. It is a member of the United Soccer league (one division below Major League Soccer). Its first season was in March 2018 and it plays in Chuckchansi Parki in downtown Fresno. $17 to 77 USD. Fresno FC (Q36404703) on Wikidata Fresno FC on Wikipedia (updated Jul 2018)
  • 5 Old Fresno Water Tower. Built in 1894, this is one of the oldest buildings in Fresno. Old Fresno Water Tower (Q15263783) on Wikidata Old Fresno Water Tower on Wikipedia 
  • 6 Pacific Southwest Building. The highest building between Los Angeles and San Francisco completed in 1925. Fresno Pacific Towers (Q5503193) on Wikidata Pacific Southwest Building on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2020)
  • 7 Woodward Park. Woodward Park (Q8033578) on Wikidata Woodward Park (Fresno) on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2020)

Do

  • 2 Island Waterpark.  - located in Fresno
  • Rogue Festival. March. Modeled on the Canadian and North American Fringe Festivals, the Rogue showcases 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 as far as Vancouver and London. 
  • 3 Shakespeare in the Park (Woodward Shakespeare Festival). Woodward Shakespeare Festival (Q8033585) on Wikidata Woodward Shakespeare Festival on Wikipedia 
  • 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, ☏ +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. 
  • 4 Tower Theatre. Tower Theatre (Q7829742) on Wikidata Tower Theatre (Fresno, California) on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2020)
  • Artists' Repertory Theatre. Artists' Repertory Theatre (Q4801297) on Wikidata Artists' Repertory Theatre on Wikipedia 
  • 5 Warnors Theatre. Spelled with an "o". The theatre used to be owned by Warner Bros., and the spelling was changed to avoid copyright infringement after it was sold. Warnors Theatre (Q7969843) on Wikidata Warnors Theatre on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2020)

Learn

  • 1 Fresno State University (California State University, Fresno). Noted for its agricultural programs, and many Fresno State students and faculty travel to developing nations on agricultural assistance programs. California State University, Fresno (Q1026919) on Wikidata California State University, Fresno on Wikipedia 
  • 2 Fresno City College. A 2-year community college. Fresno City College (Q2587006) on Wikidata Fresno City College on Wikipedia 
  • 3 Fresno Pacific University. An accredited private Christian university offering many bachelor's and master's degrees. It has satellite locations across Central California (Merced Regional Center, North Fresno Regional Center, Visalia Regional Center, Bakersfield Regional Center). Fresno Pacific University (Q2587376) on Wikidata Fresno Pacific University on Wikipedia 

Buy

  • 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. (updated Aug 2016)
  • 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. (updated Aug 2016)
  • The Vineyard Farmer's Market (Shaw and Blackstone). 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. 

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 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. 
  • 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 (Herndon & Marks), ☏ +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. 

Drink

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 (Blackstone & Olive). 
  • 1 Organic Pastures, 7221 South Jameson Avenue (20 minutes outside of Madera), toll-free: +1-877-729-6455 (RAWMILK). 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 from the farm. (updated Jun 2018)
  • 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 (updated Sep 2019)
  • Strummer's Bar & Grill, 833 E Fern Avenue, ☏ +1 559 4855356. Music venue in the Tower District (updated Sep 2019)

Gay bars

Sleep

Stay safe

Crime presents considerable concerns in Fresno. As a rule of thumb, travellers should exercise increased caution in parts of the city located south of Shaw Avenue.

Homeless people are known to congregate near the city's so-called Chinatown area, across the railroad tracks from Chukchansi Park. The area also suffers from a high crime rate. Caution should be exercised when visiting the area.

Avoid the southeastern part of the city at night due to high crime rates.

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.

Connect

Cope

  • 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.

Consulates

Go next

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
Routes through Fresno
Sacramento ← Madera ←  N  S  → Selma → Bakersfield
Morro Bay ← Lemoore ←  S  N  → Coarsegold → Yosemite N.P.
END ← Jct N S ←  W  E  → Kings Canyon N.P. → END
Sacramento / Emeryville ← Madera ←  N  S  → Hanford → Bakersfield


This city travel guide to Fresno is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Fresno&oldid=4021563"