Travelers from around the world choose to stay in Fresno or Clovis to take advantage of the area's close proximity to three national parks. Fresno and Clovis offer many exceptional hotel and motel options. Find a place to stay near Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park or Sequoia National Park here.
Home to the world's largest known living single-stem tree, the massive General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park is nothing short of extraordinary.
Other one-and-only opportunities include climbing 400 steps up the granite dome to the summit of Moro Rock. See peaks of the Great Western Divide, foothills, and San Joaquin Valley to the west, with the vast deep wilderness to the east. The park includes even more unique features, like Crystal Cave, the Tunnel Log, and the Giant Forest Museum.
Before you visit, stay up to date on the latest park conditions by visiting the National Park Service website.
Kings Canyon is treasured for its less-traveled serene stretches of incredible landscapes. With giant sequoias, crystal clear waters, green meadows, steep cliffs, and the deepest gorge-formed canyon in the nation, you'll no doubt want to add the park to your bucket list.
Must-sees include Cedar Grove, Zumwalt Meadow, Roaring River Falls, Mist Falls, and the second-largest tree in the world, the General Grant Tree. General Grant stands 267 feet tall with a base of nearly 29 feet. Known as “the Nation’s Christmas Tree”, there is a ceremony, “Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree” held by the Sanger District Chamber of Commerce each year on the second Sunday in December to honor this natural wonder.
Before you visit, stay up to date on the latest conditions by visiting the National Park Service website.
The world-renowned views of Yosemite National Park are infamous for the steep granite cliffs, tremendous stretches of land loaded with giant trees, and majestic waterfalls. From Glacier Point, see stunning sights like Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls (accessible by car from late May through November). Explore the park to see other landmarks like El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and the gorgeous Tuolumne Meadows. Or let someone else do the driving and take advantage of YARTS (Yosemite Area Transportation System)--a regularly scheduled, fixed public bus route that operates year-round. YARTS takes travelers into Yosemite and allows you to enjoy the scenery in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus safely.
A new vehicle reservation system will be implemented at Yosemite National Park in 2024. Reservations will be required to enter the park from 5 am to 4 pm on the following days:
April 13 to June 30: Reservations required Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
July 1 to August 16: Reservations required daily
August 17 to October 27: Reservations required Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Travelers entering outside of those hours do not require a reservation. Half-day passes will also be available for guests to be able to enter the park at noon. Reservation passes will be valid for 3 days.
Before you visit, stay updated on the latest park conditions by visiting the National Park Service website.
A wild adventure awaits you at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo! Learn about more than 200 species, the zoo’s conservation efforts and immerse yourself in various exhibits, including the African Adventure, the Reptile House, Sea Lion Cove and Kingdoms of Asia—opening June 3, 2023. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Pre-purchase tickets to get into the zoo faster.
Venture through the Forestiere Underground Gardens, an underground wonder carved by hand in the early 1900s by Baldassare Forestiere. The Sicilian immigrant and citrus farmer spent 40 years excavating rooms, creating beautiful courtyards, experimenting with citrus plants and even built an underground aquarium using farm tools and his imagination. As you wander through the magnificent gardens, you’re transported back in time and into the mind of a man pursuing his dream.
Location: 5021 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93722
Baldassare Forestiere spent four decades carving out these incredible hallways and skylights. During your tour of the underground gardens, you'll learn how he carefully crafted his home and the reason behind each room he created.
Learn about how Baldassare Forestiere experimented with plants, producing unique fruit trees. Some of those trees remain in the garden to this day.
The underground gardens are a way of preserving the story and legacy of Baldassare Forestiere. It also shines a light on the importance of stories like his in Fresno and the Central Valley.
Learn about the unique animals at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, try mini-golfing at Blackbeard's Family Entertainment, and explore kid-friendly museums.
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