Located between San Francisco and Los Angeles you’ll find an adventurer’s paradise in Fresno County. This year-round destination is jam-packed with outdoor activities to boost your adrenaline. From skiing and snowboarding to world-class hiking and rock-climbing there is something for every interest!
For those who love to be on the water, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to experience some incredible white-water rafting. Kings River Expeditions leads trips on the Kings River, which originates high in the Sierra Nevada mountains. These trips are great for both beginner and intermediate rafters, as the river is designated as a class 3.
For smoother waters, check out Fresno’s Pine Flat Lake, a beautiful and picturesque body of water in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lake is perfect for all sorts of recreational aquatic activities from boating and water skiing to kayaking and canoeing.
While exploring and adventuring you’re likely to build up quite a thirst, but not to worry, as Fresno County has some incredible wineries and vineyards.
Quady Winery
In fact, about one-fifth of all wine grapes in the state are grown in Fresno County! One fan favorite is Quady Winery, where a rare grape varietal is used to produce muscats with rich flavors not found anywhere else on the planet. If you’re more of a beer drinker, you’ll be on cloud nine – downtown Fresno offers many breweries, and in fact, has its very own Brewery District. Don’t miss a stop at Tioga- Sequoia Brewing Company, with their world-class beers brewed right in downtown Fresno. Their beer garden is open seven days a week and frequently offers live music and entertainment.
An epic outdoor adventure in Fresno County would not be complete without experiencing some national parks. Three of the best-loved national parks in the country are within 90 minutes of the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport. Sequoia National Park is home to the largest known living single-stem tree in the world, known as General Sherman. Standing at 275 feet tall, it is truly awe-inspiring. While the trees are breathtaking, there is so much more to explore at Sequoia National Park, like Crystal Cave or climbing to the top of Moro Rock, a granite dome rock formation in the center of the park.
Read Also: Find Your Getaway in Richmond County, NC
In addition to Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Park and Yosemite National Park are close by, both offering incredible natural spectacles that are truly treasures of the United States. A popular favorite is Yosemite’s El Capitan, a vertical rock formation rising 3,000 feet above the valley floor and revered by rock climbers around the world.
While little ones are certain to enjoy the national parks, they will definitely have a blast at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, which is open daily and is home to more than 200 species, from African Elephants and Southern White Rhinos to Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions. The zoo is also home to 40 species that are either endangered or extinct in the wild, and is part of an ongoing effort to restore these populations into the wild.
Fresno County is undeniably a gem. Easy to get to and with accommodations for all budgets, there is an endless list of things to do and places to explore. From local restaurants and boutiques to national treasures and everything in between, there is truly something for everyone.
Visit www.visitfresnocounty.org for more information.