Fresno, California: 5th largest city in California, known for being the near-center of California, agriculture, sweltering summers, and kind of crummy air quality, especially in the hot months. The summer is not a time that I get particularly excited for in Fresno, but I must admit that a pool makes the heat a lot more manageable.
But this time right now−with the temperatures rising ever so slightly; everything blooming; and the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas towering in clear view over our city−makes me downright giddy to be a Fresnan. On the surface, our city may not seem saturated with activities, but take a closer look and you’ll find that life isn’t so boring here.
Really, without too much thought, I came up with a list of 10 fun things to do in Fresno before it heats up! On a side note, the list doesn’t include hiking or lake activities, but only because those activities could compile a list of their own.
Also, I tried to truly stick to the Fresno area and include a wide range of activities that nearly anyone could partake in. Embrace your city! Traveling and getting to know the world can be such an incredible experience, but there is nothing like appreciating the home that you live in, flaws and all.
What makes traveling fun: fabulous weather, new adventures, learning about the unique quirks of a city...we have all of those things! I challenge you to be a tourist in your own town.
(In no particular order)
1. Patio Brunch
- Let’s start out simple. When the temperatures are perfect and the sun is shining, is there anything better than eating outside? Fresno has tons of patios to choose from. Heck, maybe even your own.
- But if you brunch at a restaurant, typically there’s no post-meal cleaning included. No cleaning, yummy food, big sunglasses? Sounds like a vacation to me. One of my favorite spots is the Patio Café in Fig Garden Village.
- They’ve basically been around forever and their menu is creative, healthy, and delicious. Don’t get me started on how adorable their patio−it’s in the name, you can’t go wrong.
- Check out their menu on their website, http://www.patio-cafe.com, which also informed me that they apparently host bands on the weekend. I may have to add that to my calendar
2. Yoga In The Park
- I must admit that I just recently stumbled across this on Instagram and have not yet participated myself, but I really, really want to. The Fulton Yoga Collective is this cool downtown Yoga studio that has Yoga in the Park on several Saturday mornings each month, along with other regularly scheduled classes held indoors.
- But when the weather is this beautiful, you have to take advantage of that outdoor play! The next date for Yoga in the Park is April 1st, and I am totally on board. For more info, check out their website http://fultonyogacollective.com.
3. Gazebo Gardens
- If you don’t have plans any given Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, if you love food trucks, if you’re into live music, if you like to drink beer, or hang out surrounded by beautiful plants and landscaping, you have to go to Gazebo Gardens on Van Ness and Shields!
- Basically, all of the things I just described are qualities I hunt for when I want to relax and have fun on vacation. Good news! A little bonus, they’re dog and family-friendly! I found all of those things in one spot here in Fresno. Technically, these events are now nearly year-round, but−not to beat a dead horse− come on people…this weather!
- Check out their calendar of bands here: http://www.gazebogardens1922.com/BeerGarden.html
4. Farmers Market
- I feel like this is self-explanatory. If you’re into strolling around and checking out farm-fresh wares and sometimes cool local artists/craftsmen, there’s no better place than a farmer’s market.
- The Vineyard Farmer’s Market on Shaw and Blackstone runs year-round on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. It’s close to my home, so it gets my vote, but there’s a whole list you can check out here: http://www.playfresno.org/farmersmarkets
5. Fresno Chaffee Zoo
- Not everyone loves zoos, and that’s understandable. But if you have kids, or want to change up the scenery on your daily walk, the Chaffee Zoo is a great place to do just that. If you haven’t seen the new expansion yet, you really need to get down there.
- It’s breathtaking, and with the extra space and exhibits, you can definitely spend the good part of a day in the zoo. You can even have lunch overlooking the “African savannah.”
- I also have to add that the staff is usually so knowledgeable and friendly, and their daily “talks” are awesome if you can catch one. What’s even better, is the admission prices are only between $5-$10, and parking in Roeding Park will cost you $5. Worth every penny.
6. Fresno Grizzlies Game
- True confession: I’m not that into sports. Sure, they’re fun to play, but sitting and watching hours of throwing and catching and hitting…can actually be fun, too! The great thing about baseball is that the games are plentiful, and the tickets to minor league games are cheap!
- The Grizzlies are constantly having fun themed nights, and how great is it to switch up an evening watching TV on the couch with the excitement of being in the ballpark and watching a live game.
- And if you check out their schedule, you can find out all the different special events nights, including fireworks. Fun, inexpensive, and fireworks? Pshhh…why fight big-city traffic to catch a good ball game?
7. Woodward Park
- I love the trails in Woodward Park. I always forget how big the park actually is. There are also great picnic areas, geese, the gorgeous Japanese Gardens, playgrounds; it has the full park amenities going on.
- During this season, it’s not uncommon for me to meet with friends there for coffee and a walk or even a picnic. Embrace the old-school picnics with the basket and the blanket; they’re so fun! I would advise steering clear of the geese when picnicking. Those birds are not afraid to steal your food or chase your children.
- Also, if you search for events in the park, there are frequent fun runs and 5ks on the weekend. I did a “Color-Me-Rad” there a few years ago, and it’s a fun experience and maybe a challenge if you’ve recently gotten into running.
8. Downtown Walking Tour
- This is another one on my to-do list. Apparently, there is an app you can download that will take you on a self-guided walking tour in and around some of the coolest and most historic sites in downtown Fresno.
- I love downtown and all of the revitalization that’s been happening. A city just isn’t a city for me without a solid downtown and some interesting history. I so appreciate the gorgeous details on some of the older buildings.
- The website (http://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/downtown-walking-to... ) says there are 9 attractions and it takes about 2 hours. If you haven’t been downtown recently, I insist you go check it out. There are a lot of great things happening down there. New and shiny things are nice, but they are no substitute for character.
9. Forestiere Underground Gardens
- If you have never been here, do yourself a favor and go to their website right now: http://www.undergroundgardens.com/ This is probably one of the most peculiar and amazing places in Fresno.
- Tickets are a $17 for adults, $15 for students/seniors, and $8 for kids 5 and up. This may not be the cheapest ticket, and tour dates are limited, but it really is a place you have to see once in your life.
- It really isn’t much more than a movie ticket; so save the air-conditioned movie dates for the summer and get to Forestiere Gardens while it’s still accessible to the public.
10. The Driving Range
- Admittedly, I’m a terrible golfer. However, I do love a visit to the driving range now and then. There’s something so cathartic about getting a bucket of balls and just hacking away at solid air 90 percent of the time.
- Oh, and then when you actually make contact with the ball, it’s nearly the most exciting ten seconds of your life or my life. If you think hitting a tiny ball with a long stick can’t possibly be fun, think again my friend. It can also be a killer core workout if you swing as much as I do.
- Take a friend, take a date, or go by yourself. Wear a lot of loud plaids. Give people tips like you’re a pro if they watch in pity for too long; tell them missing the ball makes you a better player on the course. Make a spectacle of yourself. Enjoy the view (the River Park Golf Center off of highway 41 isn’t bad) and the mini-vacation from everyday life.
I’ve seen this concept of creating a life from which you don’t need a vacation. Traveling is one of my favorite hobbies, but what I really enjoy is the adventure of trying new things or learning something new.
Extravagant, foreign adventures are not feasible at all stages of life, but I would argue that there are far more adventures in your own backyard than you can imagine. Go find them.