Festivals, the Fresno County Way
Folks in Fresno County are always down for a good time. Late summer and early fall is a great time to visit to take part in the events loved by locals. Get ready to say “Opai!” at Fresno Greek Fest, where the city’s Greek community spends a weekend celebrating their heritage with music and food. Try gyros, souvlaki, loukoumades, and a variety of baklava all while dancing the night away to authentic Greek music. See hot air balloons lift off at ClovisFest, Clovis’s annual festival that bids farewell to summer and welcomes the fall. Colorful balloons take off just after sunrise. The festival spans 12 blocks of Old Town Clovis and features local businesses, food vendors, and live music. Fresno Reel Pride is one of the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ film festivals in the United States, bringing filmmakers from all over to Fresno’s Tower District.
The beginning of fall brings another one of Fresno’s biggest food festivals, the annual Taco Truck Throwdown. Taco trucks from across California go taco to taco to compete for the championship. The event includes live music, wrestling matches, michelada competitions, and plenty of tacos. Get ready for big fun at the Big Fresno Fair. From traditional fair foods and concerts to carnival rides and horseracing, it is a great stop for the family. Visitors can also explore historical exhibits, the kids’ zone, and livestock showcases.
The Real and Raw California
If you’re looking for a different kind of California vacation, Fresno County gives you access to the real and raw heart of the state. Start your trip wandering through the Forestiere Underground Gardens, a home carved by hand beneath Fresno’s surface. Inspired by the catacombs in Sicily, tour through the winding tunnels and see 100-year-old hybrid citrus plants. In the summer, the gardens have their own microclimate, making the tunnels 10-20 degrees colder than the surface level. Make a splash with your family at Wild Water Adventure Park in Clovis or Island Water Park in Fresno. Hike through Kings Canyon National Park, where giant sequoias, rushing waterfalls, and clear blue lakes sit within the deepest canyon in the United States. The park is quieter than neighboring national parks in the state, but the views are just as incredible. National park lovers can also see Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks just a short drive from Fresno.
As one of the most culturally diverse destinations in the United States, Fresno County’s food scene is unparalleled. Enjoy a luxury meal at Trelio Food & Wine in Clovis, where the chef uses local ingredients to create Italian dishes with a California twist. Enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail and Spanish cuisine, including tapas and paella, at Mochuelo in Fresno. Stop in Fresno’s Brewery District for great hops and a variety of food trucks. Sip your way through Fresno County’s wineries—California’s underground wine country. The county produces a large sum of the state’s wine grapes. Try the Evasion Rosé at Solitary Cellars Winery or the Cabernet at Ziveli Winery.
Plan your trip at VisitFresnoCounty.org