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Fresno, CA

Fresno, CA

Fresno is a major city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It covers about 115 square miles (300 km2) and had a population of 542,107 as of the 2020 Census, making it the fifth-most populous city in California, the most populous inland city in California, and the 33rd-most populous city in the nation.

Named for the abundant ash trees lining the San Joaquin River, Fresno was founded in 1872 as a railway station of the Central Pacific Railroad before it was incorporated in 1885. It has since become an economic hub of Fresno County and the San Joaquin Valley, with much of the surrounding areas in the Metropolitan Fresno region predominantly tied to large-scale agricultural production. Fresno is near the geographic center of California, approximately 220 miles (350 km) north of Los Angeles, 170 miles (270 km) south of the state capital, Sacramento, and 185 miles (300 km) southeast of San Francisco. Yosemite National Park is about 60 miles (100 km) to the north, Kings Canyon National Park 60 miles (100 km) to the east, and Sequoia National Park 75 miles (120 km) to the southeast. Fresno is also the third-largest majority-Hispanic city in the United States with 50.5% of its population being Hispanic in 2020.

Fresno has a total area of 116 square miles (300 km2) with 98.96% land covering 114.79 square miles (297.3 km2), and 1.04% water, 1.21 square miles (3.1 km2).

Fresno's location, very near the geographical center of California, places the city a comfortable distance from many of the major recreation areas and urban centers in the state. Just 60 mi (97 km) south of Yosemite National Park, it is the nearest major city to the park. Likewise, Sierra National Forest is 40 mi (64 km), Kings Canyon National Park is 60 mi (97 km) and Sequoia National Park is 75 mi (121 km). The city is located near several Sierra Nevada lakes including Bass Lake, Shaver Lake, and Huntington Lake. Fresno is also only two and a half hours from Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, and the central coast.

Because Fresno sits at the junction of Highways 41 and 99 (SR 41 is Yosemite National Park's southern access road, and SR 99 bypasses Interstate 5 to serve the urban centers of the San Joaquin Valley), the city is a major gateway for Yosemite visitors coming from Los Angeles. The city also serves as an entrance into Sierra National Forest via Highway 168, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks via Highway 180.

Fresno has three large public parks, two in the city limits and one in county land to the southwest. Woodward Park, which features the Shinzen Japanese Gardens, boasts numerous picnic areas and several miles of trails. It is in North Fresno and is adjacent to the San Joaquin River Parkway. Roeding Park, near Downtown Fresno, is home to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and Rotary Storyland, and Playland. Kearney Park is the largest of the Fresno region's park system and is home to the historic Kearney Mansion and plays host to the annual Civil War Revisited, the largest reenactment of the Civil War on the west coast of the U.S.

In its 2023 ParkScore ranking, The Trust for Public Land, a national land conservation organization, reported that Fresno had one of the worst park systems among the 100 most populous U.S. cities, with only 5% of city land being used for parks and recreation. The survey measures median park size, park acres as percent of city area, residents' access to parks, spending on parks per resident, and playgrounds per 10,000 residents.

Health and wellness are paramount in Fresno, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Fresno Yosemite Health Care stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Fresno Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Warrior Fitness and Fort Washington Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Fresno, such as the Lewis S. Eaton Trail and the San Joaquin River Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Fresno, CA are Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Forestiere Underground Gardens, and Fresno Art Museum. 

Population: 545,716 (2023). ZIP code: 93722. Area code: 559. Elevation: 308 ft. Area: 116.00 sq mi (300.43 km2).

FAQs

Is Fresno, CA a good place to live?

Living in Fresno offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Fresno, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Fresno and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Fresno are above average.

What is Fresno, CA known for?

With its fertile soil and ideal climate, the city is a major hub for agricultural production. Fresno is home to numerous farms and orchards, producing a wide variety of crops such as grapes, almonds, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. The city’s agricultural industry not only contributes to the local economy but also provides fresh and high-quality produce to the rest of the country.

Is Fresno, CA expensive to live in?

The cost of living in Fresno, CA is 21% lower than the state average and 9% higher than the national average. Fresno, CA housing is 5% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 28% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 0% in Fresno, CA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 0%

Sources

Wikipedia

Fresno County

Fresno Yosemite Health Care 

Fresno Parks and Recreation Department 

Warrior Fitness 

Fort Washington Fitness

Lewis S. Eaton Trail 

San Joaquin River Trail

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Forestiere Underground Gardens

Fresno Art Museum

Niche

Redfin

Rentcafe

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