Overview

Thanks to irrigation in the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno ranks among the nation's leaders in agricultural production, with grapes, figs, almonds, turkeys, cotton, and oranges all contributing to an industry worth more than three billion dollars a year. If your visit coincides with the main blooming season (late February-March), be sure to travel the Blossom Trail, a self-guided tour of about 65 miles featuring almond groves, orange and peach orchards, vineyards, and other sites of historical interest. Landmarks of note include the hundred-foot-high Water Tower (currently home to the city's Visitors Center) – built in 1894 and modeled after a medieval tower in Germany – and two houses: Kearny Mansion, former home of an agricultural baron, and the Meux home, one-time residence of a Confederate surgeon. Area sports fans support baseball's Fresno Grizzlies and the Bulldog teams of Fresno State, and local leisure activities range from sailing to snow skiing in the Sierras. Fresno is home to two regional parks, Woodward Park (with its tranquil Japanese gardens) and Roeding Park and Zoo. Plus, within 1-1/2 hour's drive, you'll find Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks and will have the opportunity to explore Sierra National Forest.

Recent User Activity in Fresno