Fresno is no longer a small, sleepy, dusty town that it was at the turn of the century. Today, Fresno has transformed into the medical, educational, and entertainment hub of California’s Central Valley. Whether you’re here for world-class healthcare, visiting a student at Fresno State, exploring nearby national parks, or simply passing through on a California road trip—our city offers more than you might expect. And from our home – Rudraksha Vacation Rentals – in Fresno’s safest neighborhood, you’re perfectly positioned to experience it all. Here are a few of the reasons that make Fresno famous, along with the things to do in Fresno.
Things To Do In Fresno
Fresno is one of California’s most underrated cities for visitors. From three world-class national parks to Broadway shows, sporting events and a vibrant food scene, there is something for every group and family. Use this guide to discover the best Fresno city attractions during your stay at Rudraksha.
Shopping & Dining Experiences
Riverpark Shopping & Dining near Rudraksha Fresno vacation rental.
Fig Garden Village: Our personal favorite for weekend strolls—great coffee shops and boutiques.
Fashion Fair Mall – the original Fresno Mall less than 10 minutes from Rudraksha Vacation Rental
Park Crossing Shopping & Dining – groceries, dining, shopping less than 7 minutes drive from Rudraksha Vacation Rental
Schools, Colleges & Universities
Fresno State University, on
Shaw Ave, is near our vacation home.
Clovis North High School,International Ave, is less than 500m from Rudraksha Vacation Home.
Clovis Commmunity College,
Willow Ave is a 2 minute walk from holiday home.
Granite Ridge Intermediate School,
International Ave is less than 500m from Rudraksha Vacation Home.
Forestiere Underground Gardens
When an immigrant from the Mediterranean island of Sicily arrived in Fresno around 1905, he found the summers brutal. Yet the intense sun was part of the point for Baldassare Forestiere, then in his 20s, who had visions of creating a grape and citrus empire in the fertile soil of the San Joaquin Valley.
He bought 70 acres — sight unseen. But when he put his shovel to the dirt he quickly realized he’d made a terrible mistake. The ground was like brick, too unforgiving to grow his crops. Then, for reasons no one fully understands, Forestiere started digging — and digging and digging and digging.
For 40 years he carried on, until what started as a cellar where he would seek refuge from the afternoon heat grew into a spectacular subterranean palace with passageways, living rooms, patios, a chapel, and a simple earthen home.
Forestiere became obsessed by his innovation of below-ground living as an answer to the valley’s intolerable summers. In time, he aspired to make the home into a resort for all Fresnans. He added underground grape vines, fruit trees, and even a glass-bottomed fish pond.
Family & Entertainment
Among others, noteworthy pastimes in Fresno are Simonian Farms, Island Waterpark, Chaffee Zoo, Chukchansi Casino, Table Mountain Casino, Regal/Edward Cinema, Imax, Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre, Saroyan Theatre, John Wright Theatre at Fresno State, Clovis Performing Arts Centre at Clovis North, Shinzen Park, Mountain Brook Ranch with Cherry, Boysenberry & Pomegranite Picking, Woodward Park and its Japanese Garden, various horseback riding schools and the Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures and bowling at Xlanes, Bowlero.
Our National Treasures
Fresno is a hop skip and jump away from some of the most beautiful National Parks & Forests of America.
Yosemite National Park
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life an the tranquility of the High Sierras. First protected in 1864, Yosemite is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, a vast wilderness that is home to ancient giant sequoias which have been stood silently watching time pass by. Some of them have been witness to historial events going back to thousands of years, including the birth of Jesus Christ.
Yosemite National Park waterfall is a day trip from Rudraksha Vacation Rental
Sequoia National Park
Truly a land of giants – huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees exemplify the diversity of landscapes, life, and beauty here. Explore these pages to plan your visit or to learn about the plants and animals here and the threats they face. The seemingly invincible ancient giant sequoias are so very vulnerable.
King’s Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park in the southern Sierra Nevada, in Fresno and Tulare Counties, California. The park’s namesake, Kings Canyon, is a rugged glacier-carved valley more than a mile (1,600 m) deep. Other natural features include multiple 14,000-foot (4,300 m) peaks, high mountain meadows, swift-flowing rivers, and some of the world’s largest stands of giant sequoia trees. Kings Canyon is north of and contiguous with Sequoia National Park. Majority of the park (461,901-acre (186,925 ha), except a small percentage of land drained by the Middle and South Forks of the Kings River and many smaller streams, is designated wilderness.
Stanislaus National Forest
Stanislaus National Forest iis spread over 898,099 acres (1,403.3 sq mi; 3,634.5 km2) of land in four counties in the Sierra Nevada in Northern California. Named after the Stanislaus River, it is one of the oldest national forests, having been established on February 22, 1897. With 78 lakes, 811 miles of streams and rivers, and more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails, the 898,000 acre Stanislaus National Forest is the perfect destination for whatever your next adventure may be!
