CITY SPOTLIGHT:

Your Guide to Fresno, California

fields in Fresno

Know Before You Go: About Fresno

Expect magnificent museums and an impressive array of art and entertainment in the Central Valley.

As California’s fifth largest city, Fresno is certainly a people-person’s city, populated with half a million residents. Aside from the state capital of Sacramento, Fresno is the largest city in California’s Central Valley. Expect magnificent museums and an impressive array of art and entertainment. Look a little further and you will find quite unusual attractions to explore as well. Not to mention, Fresno is only 75 minutes from Yosemite National Park and 90 minutes from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Get outdoors and enjoy the natural vistas of this California city with something to do for every member of your crew.

Eden in the Great Valley

Fresno’s mild climate invites you to come out and play. The coolest days arrive in January with daytime temperatures averaging 55 degrees and gradually warming up to averages of 62 in February and 69 in March. Spring is delightful—in the 70s and 80s. Summers are dry and hot, with average temps peaking at 98 in July. By fall, the days drop to the 60s and continue to cool into January. Most rain falls December through March, with each of these months receiving about 2 inches. Your chance of enjoying outdoor activities any time of the year are good—Fresno averages 194 blue-sky sunny days and 73 partially sunny days.

Attracted to Fresno Attractions

Fresno's many and varied attractions could keep you busy for weeks. At Forestiere Underground Gardens, explore a subterranean, hand-carved home. The National Register of Historic Places map leads you on an eclectic architectural tour, from the Victorian Meux Home Museum to what it calls one of California’s, “top performance spaces,” the circa 1928 Warnors Center for the Performing Arts. Other attractions you'll want on your to-do list are: the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, the night-owlish Tower District and seasonal Woodward Park with its Japanese garden, its barbecues and an amphitheater.

A Growing Industry

Fresno’s mildly seasonal climate and fertile soil gave birth over a century ago to its main industry—agriculture. Fresno County produces more crops than anywhere in the nation. Taste for yourself while mingling under the arbors at the year-round Vineyard Farmer’s Market. Mostly large commercial farms produce the county's 300-plus crops, with almonds leading the list. Family farms play an important role in certified organic and humane crops and agritourism. More Fresno jobs are connected to agriculture than any other industry, but leisure and industry play a role in the economic health of the city, too. And contributing in a big way to Fresno's status as the San Joaquin Valley's economic hub are such industries as health, transportation, higher education and manufacturing.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

You have a variety of options for getting to and around Fresno. From Sacramento to the north or Bakersfield in the south, drive to Fresno on California SR 99. Riding the rails? Amtrak’s Fresno stop is at the historic mission revival Santa Fe Railroad Depot with its enclosed waiting area. If you prefer the bus, the Greyhound station is located downtown, just blocks from Courthouse Park. Or fly into Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Hop a ride into town on the Fresno Area Express, the city’s public bus, which offers 16 fixed routes.

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Things to Do in Fresno

The fusion of city and country life ensures you'll find plenty of things to do during your Fresno stay.