Fresno is a little different from what most people typically picture when they think of the state of California. The cliche is that this state is always sunny and hot, but winters in Fresno can get quite chilly considering it is located more in then center of the state and further away from the beach-lined coast. Still, it remains a remarkable city to visit year round.

While the beaches are not right outside your hotel door, there is a close second with the Fort Washington Beach that sits beside the San Juaquin River and allows some of the comforts of a beach, though not quite. You can fish along the shore and camp out for just a few dollars per person.

Yet, most people prefer to get outdoors recreation of another variety in this city. The Yosemite National Park is quite different from those in other areas of the country because it has beautiful waterfalls, domes and peaks of granite, big sequoia.

There are some other noteworthy parks for more typical forms of outdoor recreation, such as the Kings Canyon National Park. It allows visitors to get out into the natural habitat of this area of the country to hike, picnic, or just look around.

There is a thriving arts community in the area as well, as represented quite well by the Fresno Ballet and the Metropolitan Museum. There are some other local amusements and festivals that entertain visitors as well as locals, though most tourists come to Fresno for the outdoor beauty.