Fresno, CA (Guest Article Feat. MsLimonV)

Ah yes! My hometown of Fresno, California. The bellybutton of California, the 5th largest city, the 559, the No.Fresno is not just a lay over at "FAT" Airport or a pit stop on the 99. This city offers a variety of fun activities and has had a recent surge in new hot spots! Breweries? Got em. Chic boutiques? Got em. Night clubs? Got em. The biggest little city has plenty to offer from thriving small businesses to chains, there's food, bowling, skating, art, and even fashion! A lot of people wonder what to do when they come here and I'm ready to tell you just that!

Year Round Activities

There are many fun things to do in this city. Local favorites include The Chaffee Zoo, Forestiere Underground Gardens, Woodward park, Roeding park, and Discovery Center for anyone who loves to look at Nature. At The Chaffee Zoo, you can see exhibits such aas the Stingray Bay, Dino Dig, Valley Farm, Sea Lion Cove, African Adventure, and Ross Laird's Winged Wonders Bird Show. Little known fact is that the food there is pretty good and they decorate for any holiday going on. I would also like to highlight the beautiful Underground Gardens are a series of subterranean structures built by Baldasare Forestiere, an immigrant from Sicily, over a period of 40 years from 1906 to his death in 1946. It is an absolutely gorgeous botanical beauty, a place were you can take one of a kind pictures. It is a definite must see in my opinion. Lastly, The Discovery center is a Science center with hands-on exhibits including fossil digs, fishing & educational displays. Definitely kid friendly. You can also catch a Grizzley's game in Chuckchansi Park!

Underground Gardens by Photographer Kristine Putica (@KP-Sunce on IG)

Meux Home and Kearney Mansion for history buffs

The Meux Home is an elegant 1800s Victorian mansion with period furnishings, a scenic garden & guided tours. The house (pictured below) is also conveniently located near down town Fresno. You can easily make this your first stop if you are traveling by bus or train. The Meux Home also decorates their property for any holidays going on and it is also right across the street from Saint John's Cathedral. The Kearney Mansion is another beautiful photo opportunity featuring early 1900's decor and period pieces.

Interesting Finds

Up for Drinks? Be sure to check out "Tioga Sequoia Brewing," "Full Circle Brewery," "House of Pendragon," "Moravia Winery," "LoMac," or any other winery/brewery in the area! There's plenty to choose from. If you're more interested in teas or coffees, i recommend my personal favorite - "Teazers!" "The Revue", or local coffee chain "Kuppa Joy" would be.... your cuppa tea. Yes I just made that joke! Kuppa Joy now offers a personal barista for you to try out different coffees and The Revue is always coming up with new blends. Fresno Art Museum or Arte Americas for Latino/Chicano art, and if you're visiting on the first Thursday of the month, then you will be lucky enough to go to Art Hop in downtown Fresno! Surprisingly, the art scene is thriving here. During certain art hops you might even be able to catch a free fashion show! Fresno has a ton of creatives just waiting to show you all they've made and put their passion into.

The Hot Spots

Riverpark, Fig Garden, Tower District, Manchester Center, Sierra Vista Mall, and Fulton Mall for shopping. Fig Garden has more upscale stores and a more luxe atmosphere, while Riverpark hosts an outdoor shopping center, and is next to our IMAX movie theater "Edwards Cinemas". Manchester Center is indoors with an arcade, and also close to Regal Manchester Movies, it used to have a huge old carousel inside but was unfortunately removed due to under use. Sierra Vista and Fulton Mall are my personal date night favorites! Sierra Vista is also outside with fountains, fire pits, flowers, and a relaxing movie theater that has reclining seats, a bar, and food trays attached to the seat. Fulton Mall is also outside in historic Downtown Fresno! Recently revamped to be a drive through outdoor shopping center, you can enjoy mosaics, murals, statues, and water fountains while supporting local small businesses and enjoying old architecture.

Food Game and More

Check out Tower Theatre, Roger Rockas, Warnor's, or Crest Theatre for upcoming shows! All are gorgeous inside and out, located in the downtown area close to local restaurants and beautiful skylines. If you love old movies, Warnor's Theatre will play them once a month.

For delicious and diet sensitive spots, I strongly recommend Loving Hut, Namikaze, Casa de Tamales, and Heirloom for food. Whether you're vegan or gluten free, these spots should have you covered. Want something more fancy? Fleming's, Vintage Steakhouse, or Ruth's Chris Steakhouse should have you covered. The highlight is Heirloom, they are a fairly new farm-to-table restaurant that has taken the city by storm! You can see some of their dishes below, we love the the Tri-Tip, Cashew Cauliflower and the Eggplant Parmesan.

Seasonal Activities

For the spring time I would definitely suggest going to the Blossom Trail! It's so gorgeous and is one of the best photo ops around. Depending which month it is, you might also be able to attend Grizzly Fest, a weekend long locally run music, food, and arts festival with big headliners and local bands alike, it's an experience worth having. Summer time, I would definitely recommend going to the Island Water Park or Wild Water Adventures, or even rafting down the San Joaquin river which is my personal favorite. There's also Millerton, Shaver, or Avocado lake to take a dip in. Please remember your life jackets! Fall time, if you're in the spooky spirit then you just gotta check out Hobb's Grove! There's a corn maze and 2 different haunted trails to get the adrenaline going. Hobb's is ALWAYS on my fall time to do list as well as the Strummer's costume contest.

Winter time is for the famous Christmas Tree Lane and Christmas parade, as well as the Ugly Sweater Skating party! Last year I both walked and was driven Christmas Tree Lane with hot chocolate spiked with peppermint schnapps and fireball whiskey! But trust me, you don't need any extra help enjoying the beautiful homes decorated in sparkling lights and fun characters. You can even try to spot all 8 reindeer when going down Van Ness avenue. Fig Garden will be PACKED so try to remember to use the bathroom before you go down the Lane, same with the Christmas parade in downtown. The ugly sweater skating party has been a bi yearly thing, so just try to google it ahead of your visit.

Last Thoughts

I hope you give this city a chance to win you over! Even if you're just passing through on your way to north/south California or Yosemite, this city offers a little something for everyone. Fresno is among one of the Central Valley city's that are bringing more attention to the so-called "farm land" of California. We are much more than that and i hope you give us a chance to prove it!

Email me at ofriceandcities@gmail.com if you enjoyed the article, if you went to Fresno and tried anything @MSLimonV mentioned or if you did something we totally missed!

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Meet the Guest Author: Anndrea "MsLimonV" Villarreal

I'm Anndrea Villarreal, lover of cheese, liquor, and fashion. I run the design house Ms. Limón V and in my spare time I like to relax with my tiny bun Daisy or travel with my boyfriend. You can find me on any social media platforms under Ms. Limón V and check out my podcast Lounging with Limón on Anchor or YouTube! You can see and purchase my current designs on my website www.mslimonv.com!