
The Forestiere Underground Gardens — 65 hand-dug subterranean rooms built by Sicilian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere from 1906 to 1946 — are California Historical Landmark No. 916.
“Fresno” is Spanish for ash tree — named for the ashes along the San Joaquin River; the city began in 1872 as a Central Pacific Railroad station.
Why People Visit Fresno
Visitors choose Fresno for its unique gardens, family-friendly parks, and gateway convenience. The Tower District and downtown highlight history and everyday culture, and the city's central location makes regional day trips simple — most of all into the High Sierra. Travelers find year-round appeal in its parks, paths, and public spaces, where vintage farm-town California and the wild mountains beyond sit side by side in a welcoming way.