In Fresno, Baldassare Forestiere created an underground complex of courtyards, grottos and garden courts. Arches and stonework made from locally sourced hard sedimentary rock define the site. The Forestiere Underground Gardens were designated California Registered Historical Landmark No. 916 in 1979 and are also listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. A guided walk takes you through underground passageways, rooms and courtyards. If you plan to visit, check the operator’s reservation information in advance.
History in Buildings and Collections
Other places offer different ways to explore history. Kearney Mansion Museum, also known as Superintendent’s Lodge, was the headquarters of the ranch at Kearney’s Fruit Vale Estate. Kearney Historic Site in Kearney Park offers tours about M. Theo Kearney and the agricultural beginnings of the San Joaquin Valley. Together, these topics offer insight into the region’s history, but focus on different aspects: the ranch on one hand, and the person and the valley’s agriculture on the other.
The original 1867 Millerton County Courthouse is located in the Millerton State Recreation Area. The Fresno Art Museum offers a different focus: its permanent collection includes more than 3,800 paintings, prints and sculptures. At the Fresno County Historical Museum, audio tours guide visitors through more than 45 exhibit areas featuring numerous artifacts and stories. Visiting hours may change, so check the current schedule before making plans.
Wildlife and Hands-On Experiences
African Adventure is a 13-acre expansion with naturalistic habitats for lions, African elephants, cheetahs and white rhinos. Kingdoms of Asia focuses on the culture and wildlife of Southeast Asia; its exhibits include Malayan tigers, Komodo dragons, sloth bears and Asian songbirds. The two themed areas therefore offer different focuses: African wildlife in one, Southeast Asian wildlife in the other.
At Twiga Terrace, visitors can hand-feed lettuce to giraffes at a giraffe-feeding station. Feeding conditions and prices may change. At Stingray Bay, visitors can touch or feed Caribbean and southern stingrays; feeding availability may vary. If you plan these animal encounters, check the relevant conditions in advance.
Fresno Discovery Center offers hands-on STEAM experiences. Downing Planetarium has a 73-seat planetarium theater with a hemispherical dome 30 feet in diameter. Public programs take place on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons one weekend per month. As the program schedule may change, check the current calendar.
Gardens, Landscapes and Regional Recreation
Deutsch Cactus Garden includes more than 250 species. A winding garden path continues to a habitat for desert tortoises. Shinzen Friendship Garden covers 5 acres and combines distinctive landscaping with architectural features. At River Center, visitors can explore the cultural and natural history of the San Joaquin River through art exhibits, educational offerings, programs, activities, gardens, and connections to walking and cycling trails. Individual programs may change.
Fresno County’s regional recreation facilities include 12 parks and two fishing access points. There is also a boat launch with parking at Shaver Lake. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area is a Sierra Nevada foothill reservoir located in Fresno and Madera counties. These offer distinct perspectives: county-level recreation facilities and a reservoir that spans two counties.
The Fresno County Blossom Trail can be driven, and you can photograph the blossoms from the roadside because the orchards are privately owned. Visitors can also drive along the Fresno County Fruit Trail. Roadside stands and seasonal u-pick are among the offerings along the way; seasonal availability varies. The two trails therefore differ in the activities described: the Blossom Trail focuses on roadside photography, while the Fruit Trail also offers stands and u-pick.
Giant Sequoias and Their History
Grant Grove offers a broader regional nature experience. Visitors can hike through old-growth and logged sequoia groves; trail conditions vary with the season and weather. Big Stump Grove tells a different story: several old tree stumps and young sequoias that regenerated after historic logging operations remain there, at the site of the Smith-Comstock sawmill and logging camp. Trail and picnic area conditions vary by season.
These nature experiences bring landscape and land-use history together: Grant Grove offers hikes through groves with different histories, while Big Stump Grove brings together traces of logging and the regrowth of young sequoias. When trail and picnic conditions vary by season, it is worth checking conditions before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Clovis, Fresno, Reedley, Kingsburg, Fowler, Selma, Coalinga, Sanger, Miramonte, Squaw Valley, Kerman, Orange Cove, Parlier, Dunlap, Lakeshore, Shaver Lake, Huron, Mendota, Big Creek, Cantua Creek.
View the main travel overview: California.
