Fresno Famous

I have lived in the Fresno/Clovis area my whole life and really haven’t ventured downtown very much. In fact, I avoid it because I always get lost there. Its reputation is that it is scary and unsafe, right? So, why would I or anyone else want to go there voluntarily?

Well, I have actually taken the time to get to know downtown this year and it truly has opened my mind.  If people took one afternoon to actually go check downtown out, attitudes toward it would change and its reputation would improve. The life in downtown is coming back; it is being revitalized and it is really cool to, first hand, get to watch a downtown come back. It is full of delicious restaurants, urban and historic architecture and buildings, and has something happening all the time.

The main complaint is about parking and homeless people. “There’s no parking downtown” and “I feel like I will get my car broken into because there are so many homeless people down there”. These are some very common statements, but they are not true. Yes, you may have to pay for parking in meters, but there are many restaurants that will validate parking and many streets that have no meters and are free. You just need to open your eyes and actually pay attention. As far as the homeless people, they’re there but they are not going to break into your cars or harm you. In fact, downtown has a lower crime rate than other parts of Fresno County.

Downtown Fresno really has a lot to offer; it is beginning to regain its heartbeat and thrive. To begin, the restaurants there are nothing like corporate restaurants. They are authentic, unique, and quite amazing. If people knew about the variety of restaurants and bars in downtown, I feel like they would give them a try. I personally have tried the Iron Bird Café, the Downtown Bistro, and Hero’s; all places I will continue to go to eat at.

Each week there is an event happening downtown. ‘Arthop’ happens the first Thursday of every month and gives people the opportunity to see all the artists Fresno has to offer. The new Fulton 55 is putting on a wide variety of weekly shows to give everyone in Fresno a show to attend. During the Spring and Summer months, you have the Grizzlies baseball games. These are just a few examples of the events continually happening in downtown. Downtown Fresno really is beautiful and eventful, you just have to take the time to check it out and keep an open mind about it. I personally have had my opinion about downtown change just by going there a few times. I really do enjoy going down there, and if more people were down there it would be even better. So don’t be afraid and check downtown out!