Located in the heart of California and set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountains, Fresno is an emerging metropolis and one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. A cultural mix of more than 125 different nationalities comprises the population of Fresno County, now nearly 1,000,000.
Fresno’s central location within the state provides easy access to many of California’s main tourist destinations. Three of the country’s most famous national parks — Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon — are all about an hour’s drive away. California’s picturesque Central Coastline, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area are all within a few hours’ drive from Fresno. The Fresno-Yosemite International Airport and an Amtrak station also provide convenient transportation options to and from the area.
Fresno offers some of the most affordable housing in California, along with several California Distinguished School districts. A junior college and two accredited four-year colleges — California State University, Fresno, and Fresno Pacific University — are also within city limits.
Fresno flourishes with a diverse variety of local and nationally-known restaurants, as well as a lively nightlife scene. We are also home to a philharmonic orchestra, several museums, and local theater companies. For the sports fan, Fresno’s local sports teams include Triple-A baseball’s Fresno Grizzlies, a professional hockey team, the Fresno Monsters, and the nationally ranked Fresno State Bulldogs athletics. Outdoor enthusiasts will find unparalleled opportunities for activities year-round, such as golf, tennis, sailing, fishing, kayaking, biking, camping, skiing, and snowboarding.
For those unfamiliar with our city, a befitting way to characterize Fresno is that it has all the amenities of a big city, but maintains the character of a smaller community.
