Fresno, the fifth largest city in California, can be found in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. When gold was discovered in California in 1856, the city was founded. Many ash trees line the banks of the San Joaquin, hence the name.
36 Fun & Best Things To Do In Fresno CA (California)
Cheap Things To Do In Fresno CA, the city’s climate ranges from mild and damp in the winter to hot and dry in the summer. In winter, temperatures rarely drop below freezing, making it a popular tourist destination.
In need of some Fresno activities without breaking the bank? But in Fresno, you can do a lot of things for less money. We’ve spent some time outlining them here so you don’t have to.
9 Best Hotels In Fresno CA (California)
40 Indoor Best Things To Do In Fresno CA (California)
10 List Of Cheap Things You Can Do In Fresno CA Today
1. Forestiere Underground Gardens
Explore the ancient Roman architecture and a wide range of trees, shrubs, and vines in the underground Forestiere Gardens.
Prices for tickets start at $8 and go up to $17. For a fee, visitors can explore the underground maze that one Sicilian immigrant built in the early 20th century.
2. Woodward Park, Fresno, California
Woodward Park is the third largest park in the greater Fresno area and is home to a wide variety of fun and exciting attractions. It’s as easy as going for a walk along the San Joaquin River or exploring the Shinzen Japanese Garden, which spans an area of five acres (two hectares).
The list features a tea house and over a hundred bonsai trees. The park is great for picnics because it has six park shelters, a gazebo, and two activity areas.
3. Visit the Fresno Chaffee Zoo
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo wasn’t always dedicated to housing exotic animals. Due to the lack of institutional memory, Fresno State’s past is clouded by speculation.
With the passage of time, more animals were given as donations, and an amphitheater was constructed. The Roeding Park Zoo first welcomed visitors on May 1, 1929, under its new name.
Animals like elephants, cheetahs, and gorillas are now residents of the doubled-in-size “African Adventure” section of the Fresno Convention Zoo.
4. Fresno Art Museum
Fresno Art Museum, a gathering place for local artists to show their work and provide constructive feedback to one another, founded in 1940. It has been transformed into a hub for cultural events, including exhibitions, workshops, and artist talks. Throughout the year, the museum hosts a number of art classes open to visitors of all ages and skill levels.
Some of the highlights of the museum’s permanent collection include the Andean Pre-Columbian Textiles and Artifacts to Tower District and the Kenneth E. Stratton Collection of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Art: Earth, Fire, and Stone.
5. Awaken Your Spirit At Yosemite National Park
There are over 3 million annual visitors to Yosemite National Park, the vast majority of whom come to see the Yosemite Central Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The park spans the entire width of the state, an area of 747,956 acres, and extends to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Waterfalls and incredible granite cliffs have made this region famous around the globe.
There are more than 800 miles of trails throughout the park, ranging from short strolls to multiday, exhausting climbs up and down the park’s many mountains.
6. See a Show At The Warnors Theatre
In downtown Fresno, you can find the historic Warnors Theatre, which regularly hosts a wide range of musicals and family-friendly performances. The San Joaquin Valley Bowl is a 2,000-seat arena that first opened in 1928 and is famous for the historic pipe organ that was installed at the same time as the building.
The theater also regularly presents film series and comedic shows in addition to musicals and plays. Weddings and other special events can also be held there.
7. Get Drenched At Island Water Park
Island Water Park is a great place to take the kids for an inexpensive and entertaining day trip. Even those with short attention spans will find plenty to do at this enormous water park, which is filled with slides and artificial wave machines.
It is possible to experience the Mumbai Monsoon or the Tunnel of Terror. There are 7 different food and drink stands to choose from when you need a break from the water activities. Please check the park’s website prior to your visit to ensure it is open.
8. Fresno Grizzlies Minor League Baseball – Chukchansi Park
The Fresno Grizzlies play their home games at Chukchansi Park, which first opened to the public in 2002. In Downtown Fresno, the ballpark plays a pivotal role.
At one of the 72 home games held there each year, this area really comes to life in the spring.
Visitors who aren’t into baseball can still have a good time at Chukchansi Park. Fantastic vistas of the Sierra Mountains and downtown Fresno can be seen from here.
There are also 33 luxury suites, a pool, and a spa at the ballpark. A kid-friendly area with a carousel, an inflatable slide, and batting and pitching games for young Grizzlies fans.
9. Catch a classic film at the Visalia Fox Theatre
Sun, sand, and Hollywood glitz and glamor sum up the Golden State of California. In addition to the traditional entertainment setting that many are used to.
Fresno has been attracting tourists from all over California since at least the 1930s. The Fox Theatre is a landmark movie theater that is run by a group of dedicated volunteers who call themselves the “Visalian Friends of the Fox Theatre.”
Classics from the past and cutting-edge productions from today both find a home in this time-honored venue. The original 1947 version of “Miracle on 34th Street,” M.A.S.H. (1970), and “The Big Lebowski” (1998) are just a few examples.
10. Black Angus, Fresno, CA
Since 1964, customers have been able to enjoy delicious meals at the Black Angus Steakhouse, including perfectly cooked steak and prime rib.
The restaurant is known for its certified Angus beef and expertly seasoned 21-day-aged beef prepared via flame grilling.
After a long day of sight-seeing in Fresno, visitors can unwind with some of the city’s best steakhouse appetizers. Even though Black Angus beef is well-known for being exceptionally juicy and flavorful. However, guests who aren’t fans have a wide variety of chicken, pork, and seafood options to choose from.
Start Planning Your Trip To Fresno
Visit the Big Fresno Fair whether you’re on a family vacation, a solo adventure, or just passing through town for the day.
Even though Big Fresno Fair isn’t as well-known as its neighboring cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco, it should not be underestimated. Fresno is the perfect destination for a day trip if you’re looking to fill your vacation with culture, entertainment, and history.
FAQs IN Cheap Things To Do In Fresno CA
Is Fresno California worth visiting?
To attract tourists and retain its residents, Fresno, as the fifth largest city in California, needs to provide a wide variety of exciting, cost-free entertainment options. Visitors from all over agree that the Hilton Fresno is an excellent choice for a vacation.
What is Fresno CA known for?
It has 1.88 million acres of some of the most fertile farmland in the world, making it an agricultural powerhouse. More than ten thousand hotel rooms and numerous cutting-edge event spaces can be found at the Hilton Fresno County.
Is living in Fresno cheap?
Four times cheaper than the most expensive city in the country, San Francisco, and twice as affordable as the second most expensive city, Los Angeles, Fresno is a great alternative. Among the many wonderful places in California, this one is known for being among the most budget-friendly.