USA: 3 Adventures in Fresno for the Outdoor Enthusiast, California

Fresno is perfectly situated as a gateway to many of the adventures available in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and its foothills. We spent some time exploring here during our California road trip. The city offers an abundance of outdoor recreation for a wide variety of activities from bicycling to kayaking. Here are three destinations offering adventures in Fresno for the outdoor enthusiast.

Forestiere Underground Gardens

Built by a Sicilian immigrant from 1906 to 1946, these subterranean rooms and gardens were originally started to provide an escape from the San Joaquin Valley heat. They are an unconventional and spectacular example of vernacular architecture. This source explains that the underground home has a fish pond, fireplace, functional kitchen and beautiful stone arches and walls. It also has grottos, which are courtyards with small windows that let in light.

The structure contains several gardens, some with trees more than 100 years old. There are loquat, kumquat and jujube trees as well as vines that form canopies. The price of admission for adults is $19 and $9 for children. It does offer several discounts for seniors and active military. Forestiere Underground Gardens is open Wednesday through to Monday during the summer and Wednesday through to Sunday after Labor Day.

Woodward Regional Park

This source reports that Woodward Park boasts 300 acres of ponds, lakes and grassy areas and is ideal for bicycling in a natural setting. Located along the San Joaquin River, it is host to Shakespeare in the Park and the Shinzen Friendship Garden, a 5-acre Japanese garden with strolling paths. The park features a cycling route in Fresno with an elevation gain of 396 feet over about 26 miles. Its popular trails include West Audubon Drive, West Nees Avenue and Lewis S. Eaton Trail. Woodward Park is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kayaking and Rafting Near Fresno

This source talks about how Fresno offers several opportunities for kayaking and other river sports. Millerton Lake is about 15 miles north of the city and also has great fishing. The San Joaquin River has sections that are great for kayaking as well as some low-key rafting. If you are looking for a more exciting experience, Fresno offers a wide range of rafting experiences on the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers. Whitewater rafting is available for experts, and there are sessions for beginners. For a serene experience, you can take a boat tour of the river, see wildlife and spend some quiet time in nature.

Considered a great destination for the outdoor enthusiast, Fresno has a lot to offer its visitors. The city also has a vibrant nightlife and other local attractions, but the main draw is its accessibility to the great outdoors.