Fresno is in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The city proper has a population of about 460,000 and around 1 million live in the city and surrounding area.

Like the other cities of the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno has few attractions that can compare to the rest of California. But you might find yourself 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.

Winter weather typically features highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, often with morning fog and sometimes frost. Rain falls almost always in winter and early spring. Summer temperatures average in the mid-90s. Days with high temperatures 100 degrees or above are not uncommon. Humidity is only around 20% in the afternoon, though, making for a more bearable dry heat.

Fresno's most famous son is the writer William Saroyan. The city has a large Hmong community.

Get around

As in virtually every city in the western United States, a car is pretty much a necessity to get around. There is a modest bus system, Fresno Area Express (FAX), but a car would be advised. 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.

Attractions

Forestiere Underground Gardens  - 5021 West Shaw Avenue, +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) $7.00, Children (4-12) $6.00.
 

Activities

• 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.
• The Fresno County Public Library has its main branch downtown, at 2420 Mariposa Street.
 • Woodward Park is a large grassy park on the north side of Fresno, on Friant Road. There is an entry fee of $3 per car.
 • Roeding Park is another large park in southwest Fresno. It contains the Chaffee Zoo and small amusement parks Storyland and Playland.

Shopping

As long as you're right in the middle of California's agricultural heartland, try the local produce. Fresno State's Farm Market, 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, 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. During summer, there is also one in Old Town Clovis every Friday evening.

Lodging

 • Best Western Garden Court Inn, 2141 N Parkway Drive, (559) 237-1881, Toll-free: (800) 437-3766, Fax: (559) 237-9719
 • Best Western Village Inn, 3110 N Blackstone Avenue, (559) 226-2110, Toll-free: (800) 722-8878, Fax: (559) 226-0539
 • Courtyard Fresno, 140 East Shaw Avenue, (559) 221-6000, Fax: (559) 221-0368
 • Courtyard Fresno Airport, 1551 North Peach Avenue, (559) 251-5200, Fax: (559) 454-0552
 • Holiday Inn, 5090 East Clinton, (559) 252-3611
 • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 5046 N. Barcus, (559) 277-5700
 • Motel 6 Fresno - Blackstone North, 4245 North Blackstone Avenue, (559) 221-0800, Fax: (559) 224-8298
 • Motel 6 Fresno - Blackstone South, 4080 North Blackstone Avenue, (559) 222-2431, Fax: (559) 229-8491
 • Motel 6 Fresno - SR 99, 1240 North Crystal Avenue, (559) 237-0855, Fax: (559) 497-5869
 • Residence Inn Fresno, 5322 N Diana Avenue, (559) 222-8900, Fax: (559) 222-9089
 • TownePlace Suites Fresno, 7127 North Fresno Street, (559) 435-4600, Fax: (559) 435-4613

Education

Fresno State University is noted for its agricultural programs, and many Fresno State students and faculty travel to developing nations on agricultural assistance programs.

Stay safe

Fresno has problems with gangs and crime, but it has been on the decline since the mid 1990s. The north side, especially north of Herndon Avenue, has less problems than much of the rest of the city. Avoid the downtown area at night--not much is there anyway. Keep your car locked, and avoid leaving valuables in your car.

A few notes on driving in Fresno: Winter brings frequent thick fog. A good portion of local drivers drive just as fast in the fog as in fair weather. This is compounded by the historically lax traffic enforcement, giving rise to speeders and red-light runners. Enforcement has been stepped up in recent years, however, and a few major intersections in town have red-light enforcement by camera.