Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
& Hostel. Round-trip adult/child costs $25/18 and includes park entry (quite a bargain!).
There's limited space for bicycles, so show up early.
Greyhound (710 W 16th St) also operates from the Transpo Center (Los Angeles four
times daily, 6½ hours, $43).
Fresno
Smack in the arid center of the state, Fresno is the biggest city in the Central Valley by far.
It may not be scenic (it's a testing ground for every new chain store), but it is beautifully
situated, just an hour's drive from four national parks (Yosemite, Sierra, Kings Canyon and
Sequoia), making it the ideal last stop for expeditions.
Unfortunately, in recent years, Fresno's agriculture-based economy has been hit hard by
catastrophic droughts and plummeting food prices, while unemployment has risen. A local
farm movement to regain footing seeks to revolutionize food production through organic,
sustainable practices and fair wages. Fresno's proximity to these progressive farms means
it's experiencing a food and cultural renaissance. The produce and meat is the freshest
you'll find anywhere. Fresno? Oh, Fresyes.
Like many valley towns, Fresno is home to diverse Mexican, Chinese and Basque com-
munities, which arrived in successive waves. More recently thousands of Hmong people
have put down roots in the area. The longstanding Armenian community is famously rep-
resented by author and playwright William Saroyan, who was born, lived and died in this
city he loved dearly.
Sights & Activities
One hopping side of town is the Tower District, north of downtown, an oasis of gay-
friendly, alterna-culture, book and record stores, music clubs and a handful of stylish res-
taurants. Many of the historic buildings are along the Sante Fe railroad tracks and down-
town, including the 1894 Fresno Water Tower and the 1928 Pantages (Warnors)
Theatre . The crowds gather at the sprawling Convention Center and Chukchansi Park ,
home of Fresno's Triple-A baseball team, the Grizzlies.
Downtown lies between Divisadero St, Hwy 41 and Hwy 99. Two miles north, the
Tower District sits around the corner of E Olive Ave and N Fulton Ave.
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