Making the move to Northridge a few years ago has been a bittersweet experience for me. On one hand, I'm glad to have gotten out of my hometown and been able to pursue my dreams; but on the other hand, I miss the comfort that came with living in Fresno. I know I made the right decision by moving to L.A. to go to school, but sometimes I miss the Central Valley.
1. The absence of traffic
Oh, how I miss the wide open roads on streets like Shepherd or Willow, where you could hit 60 miles per hour at 5 o'clock on a Friday. Before moving to Los Angeles, I didn't really understand road rage or why people had it, but the City of Angels has opened my eyes and I can see clearly now. In Fresno, you could get across town in around 15 minutes; no doubt this would be a dream for any Angelino.
2. The Clovis Rodeo
"The last weekend in April " is a phrase that most people in Fresno County are familiar with. That is the slogan for the Clovis Rodeo, an event that draws a lot of attention around the Central Valley. When I tell people the town I'm from has a rodeo, the next question is usually if I have a pair of cowboy boots. The answer is yes; I have two actually. Going to the rodeo was just something people did; it was a place to be seen, clad in your bedazzled boots and daisy dukes.
3. Sakura Chaya
"Of course I want hot and spicy sauce!" said my inner white girl. Sakura Chaya, better known as just Sakura, is a Hibachi restaurant in Fresno. It is the most popular hibachi restaurant in the area; their reservation book would be a testament to that. As soon as they open at 11, people start calling for reservations. You wouldn't get a seat on a weekend night without a reservation; which is unusual for Fresno.
4. Available Parking
When I lived in Fresno, finding a parking spot was never a problem, unless you were at Doghouse during any part of the work day. When I'm at school, I always hear people griping about not being able to find parking and being late for class; I've had multiple professors that ran into the same problem. At the community college I went to in Clovis, there was always at least one parking lot that was almost completely empty; there were four to choose from.
5. Doghouse Grill
Doghouse Grill, located across from Fresno State, is a favorite of most Fresno natives. The food might not be for everyone, mostly things like burgers and steak/pulled pork sandwiches, but their menu has kept many students' bellies full. Doghouse is one of those restaurants that is constantly busy; pitting families against each other for the next free table. One thing that always frustrated me, and most other patrons, about Doghouse is their parking lot. For a restaurant that is so popular, you would think they would have adequate parking.
6. Winter
Winter has always been my favorite season, and I think that's partly because of where I'm from. Because summer days in Fresno are usually in the 100's, it makes people long for winter where the days are in the mid to high 50's. It will occasionally drop below freezing at night, but because Fresno is so dry, they never get to see snow; which is something I've always kind of liked.
7. Wild Waters
Most of my friends don't agree with me, but I've always enjoyed going to Wild Waters, a local waterpark. Having a pool was one thing, but being able to go a waterpark was a whole other experience. There are all kinds of water slides and other attractions, with plenty of shade and grass to relax on.
8. Shaver Lake
Shaver Lake was an escape for people in/around Fresno. Being that it takes under an hour to get there from Fresno, it is perfect for a little day trip. It is a popular destination in the summer for people trying to escape the valley heat. In the winter, Shaver's green meadows turn into white fields, attracting people to frolic in the snow. Shaver is home to Bald Mountain, a naked dome of stone overlooking Shaver Lake. When I was in high school, my buddies and I would navigate up the off-road trails to the top of the mountain.
9. GB3
GB3, or George Brown Sports Club, is a chain of gyms in the central valley. In Fresno/Clovis, it seems like everyone goes to GB3. It isn't because there aren't other options, but because the facilities are so nice. I've been to a lot of gyms, but nothing really compared to GB3. The gyms are really spacious, have Jacuzzis and heated pools, along with a steam room and a sauna.
10. The Comfort of Home
I might not end up living in Fresno again, but it will always be my hometown. There were a lot of things I thought I hated about Fresno when I left, but as the saying goes, distance makes the heart grow fonder. When I'm in Fresno, I feel at ease. There's a comfort in knowing what your day will hold and being in a familiar setting. I don't think life is supposed to be easy; part of life is diving into the great unknown.
