Fresno County is where thrills are second nature, farm-fresh is year-round, and you’ll find underground experiences—literally. Only true travelers dare to take on this other side of California.
Park Hop with No Lines and Fewer Crowds
Skip the crowds and lines of major theme parks, and enjoy a different kind of “park hopping” experience with just as many thrills. Three of California’s most beautiful national parks surround Fresno and Clovis. Only a short drive away, visitors can see three parks in one trip. A hidden gem, Kings Canyon National Park, is the deepest canyon in the United States. At 8,200 feet at its deepest points, Kings Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon and rewards hikers with incredible views of a glacial valley, roaring waterfalls, and giant sequoias. Stand beneath the General Sherman, the largest tree in the world, inside Sequoia National Park. Don’t miss the iconic El Capitan Mountain and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite requires reservations to enter the park from April through October.
Farm-Fresh, Year-Round
From luxury dining experiences to farm stands with fresh fruits, experience farm-fresh in the United State’s heartland of agriculture. It’s here you’ll discover California’s most underrated wine country. Not only does Fresno County produce a large sum of the state’s wine grapes, but wine lovers can also taste award-winning wines in an intimate setting at a reasonable price. Local wineries like Kings River Winery provide guided tours with the owner of the winery, taking you through the vineyards where their grapes are grown and the wine cellar to learn about their storing process. At Trelio Food & Wine in Clovis, the menu changes with the season and the chef utilizes locally grown ingredients to create high-end dishes. The restaurant’s sommeliers are trained to pair the best local wines to your taste and meal. Join the community in celebrating the spring harvest on the Fresno County Fruit Trail. Stop for fresh salsa and apricots at Sweet Girl Farms, juicy strawberries at Sunshine’s Farm, and a variety of fruits, dried nuts and old-fashioned sodas at Simonian Farms.
Take the Road Less Traveled
Explore the Forestiere Underground Gardens, an underground wonder carved by hand more than 100 years ago. The gardens have their own microclimate that makes the tunnels 10-20 degrees colder than the surface level. Take the family to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to see more than 200 species within their interactive exhibits for a fraction of the cost of other nearby zoos. Join one of the behind-the-scenes experiences to help train sea otters, feed a giraffe, and touch a stingray. Thrill seekers can take a wild ride down the Kings River. Experienced tour guides will take you through twisting channels and chilled waters during a whitewater rafting trip hosted by the Kings River Expedition Class 3. The rafting season runs from late March through August. Take part in springtime events like the Clovis Rodeo, Kingsburg Swedish Festival, and the Wildflower Trail.
For more information go to visitfresnocounty.org