California Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Fresno, California

Population: 427,652

Located in Fresno County

Fresno, the only city surrounded by three national parks, provides easy access to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. Also, Fresno provides comfortable day trips to San Francisco, the California Coast and the Los Angeles area.

Fresno is the Spanish name for 'Ash Tree,' and like so many places bearing Spanish names throughout California, Fresno began in an era under Mexican rule. The original Fresno County seat was located at the town of Millerton on the San Joaquin River-an area now flooded behind the Friant Dam. When officials of the Central Pacific Railroad determined that their next stopping point would be a place called Fresno, a site surrounded by wilderness, but indicative of promise, the Millerton populace voted Fresno as their new county seat.

Today, the population of Fresno County, now over 799,000, represents an emerging metropolitan center with a rich, cultural mix of more than 90 different nationalities. Fresno has all the amenities of a large city, combined with the wonderful qualities of a small, familiar community. A new gust of wind has blown through downtown Fresno, one that is sending the downtown area into a whirlwind of changes. One of the most recent projects is the building of a new federal courthouse, adding beauty to Fresno's skyline. Fresnans will soon see the building of the Central California Regional Medical Network. Allowing the central valley community to have hospitals like those at UCLA and Stanford. There is also the hope of a new Amtrak Station and the most exciting news of Triple A Baseball/Entertainment Stadium. The future is downtown Fresno!

Culture, too, rates high among the unique characteristics of Fresno. Fresnans enjoy a rich and varied lifestyle that blends the cultural assets of much larger cities with an atmosphere of tranquility that often seems at odds with the area's dynamic growth. Fresno abounds with fine regional and ethnic restaurants as well as a vibrant nightlife. Its symphony, local theater companies, music and dance productions distinguish Fresno as a city with access to a wide variety of cultural events. The Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Fresno Art Museum and other cultural organizations preserve the area's rich history and serve at the forefront for future activities.

Fresno County agrarian beauty is showcased yearly at the Fresno County Blossom Trail, a 67 mile self-guided tour featuring the natural allurement of California's agricultural heartland. A panorama of blossoms such as peaches, nectarines, oranges, plums and almonds can be found along the trail. The Blossom Trail kickoff is customarily set for the end of February.

For many years, Fresno basked in its plentiful sun and quiet and stillness, breezing through the years with not too much turmoil, steadily building on its age-based foundation, and enjoying its small-town amenities while the metropolitan centers to the north and the south were concerned with "big city" issues. We were a quieter place then. Today, Fresno can boast about its 7,500 farmers harvesting 250 crops on 1 million irrigated acres. Known as the number one agricultural county in the world, Fresno grows cotton, tomatoes, lettuce, grapes, citrus, and much more. The total annual gross revenue from Fresno County crop production tops $3 billion.

Fresno is also home to nationally recognized organizations such as: Quickie Designs, one of the country's largest wheelchair manufacturers; Pelco, a worldwide distributor of camera and surveillance equipment; Duncan Enterprises, the world's largest hobby ceramics manufacturer; and Nisshinbo Industries, a leading Japanese textile manufacturer.

A new gust of wind has blown through downtown Fresno, one that is sending the downtown area into a whirlwind of changes. One of the most recent projects is the building of a new federal courthouse, adding beauty to Fresno's skyline. Fresnans will soon see the building of the Central California Regional Medical Network. Allowing the central valley community to have hospitals like those at UCLA and Stanford. There is also the hope of a new Amtrak Station and the most exciting news of Triple A Baseball/Entertainment Stadium. The future is downtown Fresno!

Fresno Yosemite International, continues to grow. This state-of-the-art commercial and general aviation center for the San Joaquin Valley has nearly 100 arrivals and departures daily. In addition, charter flights or rentals are also available. The Santa Fe and Southern Pacific rail companies provide service to the Valley, and over 200 trucking services operate from the Fresno area. Santa Fe railroad is currently looking to expand their operations in the Fresno area. Amtrak passenger service links Fresno with northern and southern California. Greyhound bus service connects travelers to other destinations.