This was such a fun winter/holiday activity to do! I love that it is in the heart of our downtown…read moreand right across from our "skyscraper", the Security Bank Building. There is a small ice rink with beautiful lights, it's large enough to skate and have a good time. There are benches and heaters where you can put on your skates. There are no lockers, so don't bring anything you can't carry with you. They have a max number of tickets they sell for each night so the ice rink isn't crowded. There are igloos you can rent for you and friends. There are vendors with hot chocolate and other goodies. There is a beautiful Christmas tree and the back drop is the security bank Building. It's so beautiful. Each night is a theme at the ice rink. We went went on Howard's night, but no one was following the theme. It was fun! There are also skating aids if you need them, they're cute seals and reindeer skate aids. I really hope they continue to do this each year.

Small little rink in the middle of downtown. I have always wanted to check out this event because…read moreI'm the No town representer. Nice little date getaway or family excursion.. I grew up rollerblading and ice skating is damn near the same thing, so my 40+ year old a*s was zooming around all the youngsters haha. For me, it was a little too small, so next time I skate, I am going to hit the actual rink so I can practice an axel or 360 or whatever they call it. Anyway, I still worked up a sweat to the point I took off my sweatahirt and was cruising around in a short sleeve. Someone left a harsh one star review earlier, but I happen to know she had a great time despite the lack of skates and place to put small shoulder bags. All in all, it was fun. We didn't grab any refreshments or cookies, but it seemed like they had a few small food/drink options that you may want during your 90 min time block

One of our favorite places to be! We love coming to winton! It's a little drive for us but that's…read morepart of the fun because you get to see some countryside. Coming from the freeway, it's a little past avocado lake. There are different spots to park along side the river. There is a playground for the kids. Bathrooms are questionable. I've hear stories about the bathrooms being unkempt, dark and creepy. Even swamp like. So you may need to figure that out. Other than that it's a nice place for fishing, swimming and enjoying a day in nature.

I especially love to come here during feb and march because the mountains, hills are all green and…read morewildflowers are blossoming! Also the river is getting deeper from snow melt...

Decent alternative spot if your kids are bored with the neighborhood parks or jungle gyms…read more Avocado lake offers fishing, RV parking, swimming, and picnicking spots. I don't believe overnight camping is allowed, but you can book one of their grilling and table areas for your party. The lake itself is small and only allows "earth boats" on the water. I have no idea what an earth boat is, maybe it's just a hollowed out log? There is a "beach" area for swimming and suntanning, but the water sadly had a lot of trash in it and wasn't very inviting, even with the 100'+ temps during our visit. This lake/park area has two jungle gym play areas for the kiddos and a few older soccer goals with no nets. The cost is only $5 to enter and $40 for an annual pass. Currently, they're open until 10pm for the summer, but close at 7pm starting on October 1st for the winter season.

Very rude park ranger very disrespectful he pulled up when we where fishing and automatically…read moreassumed we didn't pay at entrance then started harassing my husband all that in front of our children

So. It's a good place. It smells nice for the most part…read more Lots of life. Nature. It's fun to walk around. Giraffes, tigers, monkeys, lots of things to see. I swear. It's a good place to chill. Recommend being here in colder weather. One of the best places in the city. Cheap to enter. Parking is easy. It's a small location so it is really easy to navigate. Soooyyyyy Dora!!!! Just don't bring Dora here. Maybe Dorathy.

This used to be our favorite zoo, but our recent visit was by far the worst experience we've had…read more We arrived at 2 PM, thinking our family of four could enjoy everything in two hours, only to find out they were closing early (at 3 PM) for a sold-out ice cream event starting at 5 PM. They no longer participate in the Museums for All program, which was a fantastic way to promote inclusion. Now, they offer a "Wednesday Welcome Days" program allowing adults with a valid ID and a WIC or EBT card to purchase up to four $5 general admission tickets on Wednesdays. This move feels exclusionary, as it limits access for lower-income families to just one day a week--who can take time off work or school to visit? Where's the every day equity? To make matters worse, they don't offer any discount for closing early when we had only an hour left. We paid $99.80 to enter (for 2 adults, a 4-year-old, and a 2-year-old). Additionally, we spent $18.00 for three of us to feed giraffes and $24.00 for the Zoorassic Park experience, which forced us to buy the butterflies package too. We even paid $10 to feed the stingrays, only to be told they were out of food after we had already paid. In total, we wasted $151.80 for just an hour of lackluster fun. Honestly, I'd rather pay a little more for a day at Disneyland--where kids' tickets are only $50 (recent promotion). This place is overcharging and seriously lacking consideration for families. We won't be returning to Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

After years and years of not being able to attend The Hot Air Balloon Festival because I was always…read moreworking, I was ecstatic to have the morning off to do so. There were already people checking in on going so my husband and I got up bright and early. Luckily, we had time to get our coffee and our dog a puppacino. We didn't know if we could bring our dog, but we decided to take the risk and it was dog friendly. As soon as we got to Clovis Street, it was packed so we parked in our usual place whenever we are in Old Town, right behind Kimmie's. It wasn't too far of a walk. We just stayed near the entrance. There was ample room to walk and our dog got a lot of attention because he was in his BB8 sweater. It took awhile for the balloons to go up, but it was cool to see. I expected it to be like the Chinese lanterns that floated in the air, but it is probably because the Hot Air Balloons were a bigger capacity that they went up one by one. The last two balloons ran out of gas which was a bummer. They also had Clovis Fest which is big like Big Hat Days. There were no pets allowed there so we went home. My advice is bring chairs and a blanket or throw because you will be there for awhile and the balloons are big enough for you to see even if you are way in the back. #discoveringfresno

This rest stop is so stinkin cool!! The sign in the middle helps you figure out the next trails you…read moreshould take and was super helpful on a long bike ride! With a water station, porta-potty, benches, and plenty of shade, I recommend stopping by!!

Where : this place is tricky to find but it's behind the Clovis fire department Station 3 at the…read morecorner of Minewawa and Villa but, Villa ( if you are going from south ) it turns to Minewawa so instead of keep going , if you see the fire department, turn right immediately and the parking lot will be on your right. It's easy to miss since it's a very small parking lot ( enough for 5 - 6 cars). There's a potter potty there and a picnic table and some signage. You can park your car here and take the Dry Creek Trail to Cottonwood Park which is only 1/2 mile , or go a little further and hit Dry Creek Park and the Clovis Botanical Garden or , all the way to the other trailhead which is the metal horse statue (Sunnyside and Shepherd). There are mile markers along the trail so you know how far you walked from the trailhead. Nicely paved trail good for strollers too. Good walking and running trail.

The City of Reedley offers a lap swim program and water aerobics classes. In the summer they also…read moreoffer swimming lessons. The facilities are beautiful - hoping the hours extend as lap swim gains in popularity. Go to the website for City or Reedley Parks and Rec Dept of like Swim Reedley on FaceBook.

I LOVE love LOVE this race! It has something for everyone....ultra marathon, regular marathon, two…read moredifferent half marathons that you can enter into as a walker or runner, and even one that you can split in half and do as a team relay (two person). The accompanying events (a fitness expo and after race amenities) are awesome....as is the organization (plenty of port-o-potties, water stations, etc). And with each racer receiving a shirt, and finishers receiving sweat shirts, medals, brownie sundaes, breakfast, massages, and a trip to the wine/beer garden after (I'm always too tired to enjoy this), this is one of the most swag-rich races in the state. Of course, having it in my own "backyard" doesn't hurt. I've done the race twice in the past, and look forward to bettering my time next year, and the year after that!

Two Cities Eye-Q Marathon and a Half was the most exciting marathon in California yet. Dean…read moreKarnazes was a phenomenal speaker and motivator. It was definitely a treat to have him as our guest speaker. I don't think many of us know or understand his accomplishments. The man is legendary. Overall, I thought the course was fairly flat and fast. It's a small race ( 200-250 Ultra, 400-450 Full, 3800 Halfs, and many many relays. (6,000 runners / walkers with 1,500 volunteers) This marathon is quite new to Fresno. This was just its 3rd running, so you can imagine how many newbies are here. I don't mind it but I'd wish they knew common etiquette. I do, however give kudos to all who have tried running, supported, and volunteered for this event. Without it, it would be meaningless. I was impressed on how well it was run, although, I felt some of the organizer could of done better. I also really appreciated that the marathon only cost $90 ($75 half, $65half relay) and had the best swag. I got a long sleeve black / blue technical shirt, a racing cap, a finisher's medal and a sweatshirt! Not to mention all the goodies after the race... Definitely, a recommendation to all new runner due to course, it's not challenging at all unless you do the Ultra. My advice- train better (w/ a pace setter, a team), smarter with technology, , mentally, physically, emotionally, and diligently. Slow and steady wins the race. "Drive less, run more, and save the planet for tomorrow." - Stanley K For other marathons throughout California, check out: http://www.halfmarathons.net/race_calendar_california.html OR around the world: http://www.halfmarathons.net/ For a good read: pick up The Courage to Run - "A guide to running for your life" by John " The Penquin" Bingham ( Great for anyone starting off ) or: Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen ( Ideal for intermediate ) Are you 50 miles in 50 days...ready? :) Hoorah! Good Luck! And please don't think Fresno suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), because most days, we don't! :)