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Forestiere Underground Gardens

5021 West Shaw Avenue, Fresno, California

Description

The Forestiere Underground Gardens are a series of subterranean structures originally dug to live in and grow fruits trees and plants in an environnent sheltered from the summer heat in Fresno, California. These were built by Baldassare Forestiere, an immigrant from Sicily, in the first half of the 20th century. There are 65 rooms in total over 3 levels interspersed with stone walls and archways. The fruits grown there include citrus, jujube, kumquat and loquat. Visits are by guided tours only and last one hour.

Access & Transport

Address: 5021 W. Shaw Avenue in Fresno. From CA-99 take exit 140 and head East for 2 blocks. Customers are requested to arrive 10mins ahead of time

Instructions & Recommendations

Bookings are required and can be made up to 2 weeks in advance. All tours are weather permitting. It is generally much cooler than at ground level so dress appropriately.

Meta review

The attraction is described and rated as the best - or at least the most interesting - in Fresno. Visitors enjoy the quality of the tour and knowledge of the guides, filled with details but it is the scope of what Forestiere was able to create that is deeply impressive and inspiring for most reviewers. They also add that it provides a good insight of what Fresno was like - and clearly no longer is. Some comments about the neighbourhood not being very attractive (nowadays).

Environmental & Social

Entrance fees helps preserve this original attraction, an example of creativity and determination. No material environmental impact.

Conclusion

Out of the ordinary and certainly very impressive. If you happen to be in or around Fresno this should be on the list of things to check out. It is a little pricey but that's partially understandable as visits are only via guided tours so daily numbers are limited. Still, a few dollars less would be so much better value.

Key positive

Original and interesting

Photogenic

Key negative

Expensive

Suitability

Accessible for wheelchair users with width of max 26 inches (66cm). No strollers and motorized scooters.

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in July 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
First tour at 09h00 and last one starts at 15h00. Closed on Thanksgiving.

av. transport time:2h

est. visit time:1h 15m

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Mar, 15

Season 1

MONDAY08:45 - 16:00

TUESDAY08:45 - 16:00

WEDNESDAY08:45 - 16:00

THURSDAY08:45 - 16:00

FRIDAY08:45 - 16:00

SATURDAY08:45 - 16:00

SUNDAY08:45 - 16:00

Start of Season 2:Dec, 01

Season 2

MONDAY -

TUESDAY -

WEDNESDAY -

THURSDAY -

FRIDAY -

SATURDAY -

SUNDAY -

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
60 - 99
US$21
Adult
18 - 59
US$23
Child
5 - 17
US$12
Infant
0 - 4
US$0
Price for college students with ID is $21

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