This is a really cool place to spend the day with kids. The staff was very kind and helpful. They…read moreplayed a short film for us that explained how the fossils were found in the area. There are many fossils and replica of fossils. You guide yourself on a tour, they give you a booklet to use to guide yourself. Each station has information on the fossils, history,etc. There is an outdoor area with replicas of the homes of the native Yokuts tribe that was originally in the area. There is also an outdoor pond with plaques in front of each different plant that surrounds the pond. It was a really cool learning experience. You can pay a bit extra for fossil digging. There are 19 fossils to dig up, that can take about an hour. We spent about 3 hours there. They also have a cool little gifts shop area.

I don't know how many I've driven by this place along the 99, saying I (we) need to stop and check…read moreit out... finally! After moving out of state , made the stop. So many cool fossils!! Colombian mammoths, sloths, dire wolves, and, yes!! Even American camels.. they were here at one time. Saber tooth cats also roamed the area. Most of this and it's still an active recovery, was started with the expansion of the dump site and widening of highway 99. Once they started hitting the fossils in what used to be a ponded wetland, they've not stopped. Lots of interesting fossils and now they're adding a Mammoth Orange food site, from the golden days of traveling up and down the 99, stopping for a burger and soda coming back to life. It's all definitely worth a stop and enjoying the sight of see a huge full size Colombian Mammoth... a little secret.. they are much bigger than the more famous wooly mammoth. Stop by and enjoy.

If you like dry wines, you might like these wines. If you don't like dry wines, keep driving…read more Visited earlier this month because my husband loves to go wine tasting. I'm not a big wine fan so usually I'll do the slurp thing to taste the notes or take a sip or two and then pass my glass off to my husband, rather than dumping it. I've been to umpteen wineries around California, the US and internationally. This winery gives, hands down, the stingiest pours I've ever experienced. I could maybe get two sips out of a pour. And yet this tasting was $15 for 4 wines, but if you're a party of 6 or more, the fee for the same tasting goes up to $20 per person! Since when does pouring maybe a half ounce into more glasses warrant everyone in the party being charged $5 more bucks a piece? It feels stingy. I went to 4 wineries in the same weekend I visited Crū. J. Lohr in Paso charges $20 per person for 6 generous pours and a free pencil with herb seeds to plant at home. Eberle Winery in Paso does free tastings and yet have generous pours, free bottled water and a free tour of the underground storage facility. Quady in Madera charges $5 per person for a tasting and not only were the pours generous, we tried 7 wines, got to double back on our favorites before we ordered a half case. The server was nice and personable. I have no complaints about her. Overall it doesn't feel like a fun wine tasting experience when it seems like they're rationing their wine. While not the end of the world, there isn't much of a view for the outdoor patio because the tasting room patio is between the building and a fence with a road on the other side. If you're wanting to see vineyards while you sip, this isn't the spot for you. There was also a couple with a toddler at a table - with an iPad, playing a video outloud without headphones - while the parents were wine tasting inside, so just know that kids are allowed if that matters to you. March 2024

This lace is the best! Great wine and friendly people. Stopped in for a tasting and was quite…read moreimpressed. I'll definitely be going back!

Local race track at the Madera Fairgrounds. We've been going there for years. Last night was the…read moreHarvest Classic. Sprint cars and super modified cars. The concession stand has been closed (disrepair?) but there were two food trucks to satisfy the cravings. Bring a stadium cushion, those bleachers get hard.

Everything went well! The employees at the speedway were amazing. The food vendors were amazing…read more. It was my grandson's first race and he was the only racer, that was a little disappointing, but we were still excited!!! can't wait for the next one

One of just a few left. We really like going to the drive in. If you're new to the drive in…read moreexperience, here are a few pro tips. 1st- it's not like being at a regular theatre. You need some accoutrements. 2. Consider bringing lawn chairs and a FM radio. Many times the outside speakers do not work and I haven't figured how to play FM stations through my phone. 3. Bring your bug spray. I spray it on myself and the ground beneath me to keep away mosquitoes and ants. 4. We always bring dinner and snacks. We usually pick up a pizza, Panda Express, or some other fast food. I always bring an ice chest with water and sodas. We still hit the concession stand to help them stay in business. 5. Is the easiest, sit in your car with the radio dialed into the appropriate station. Enjoy the A/C car and enjoy the movie. 6. Beware, drive in theatre bathrooms are usually pretty bad. At least the Madera drive in has soap and paper towels.

Took my grandsons for an experience they may not have again, not many drive-ins out there. Nice…read morevenue movie showed well. Great time for the family. Backed the Avalanche up they laid in the bed. Had some pizza and snacks for them. Now here are some things you SHOULD KNOW: bring chairs yes but also bring blankets if you plan on being outside the vehicle, if you have a Bluetooth speaker bring it. Do not be deceived by the speakers hanging if you are outside of your vehicle they are not sufficient. This is a very cool place and even the popcorn is cool. Take the kids and have some fun. Take your lover and relive some "good ol' times" at the drive in!

They have really good pricing on their snacks and popcorn I had a really fun experience going to…read morethe movies

Great time at the movies with my son!! Great clean family owned theater at the heart of Madera!…read moreStaff was super friendly and courteous! We watched Superman and we had a blast! Will definately be back... my son wants to watch The Bad Guys 2!

My brothers and I, and hundreds of other folks, have been preaching at the mission for years now…read more What a blessing it is to be able to come alongside homeless addicts and other troubled folks to encourage and challenge them in Christ. There are programs, food, beds, showers and a ton of services here for those down and out to take advantage of. But the best part is that anyone eating there is required to hear God's word each evening before eating. The men and women so appreciate solid folks mentoring to them. It's love in action! It was at my deepest point in life, in a homeless shelter, that the Lord began to minister to me and basically taught me that I wasn't to trust myself but put my faith in him alone. Despite the surroundings, this was a highly productive time in my life, exciting and I was being rebuilt from the ground up. The things that once were important to me no longer were. I needed a deep spiritual surgery and Christ himself forever changed me. I've never looked back (only in testimony). I once took up a bed in a homeless shelter and now I'm ministering to those in similar situations. It's rewarding, of substance and satisfying. I get to serve the Lord by serving others while watching some mighty transformations as hearts and minds are forever changed. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord and he is in the business of changing lives and turning debris fields into mighty testimonies about His faithfulness and grace. He did that for me and promises a restoration to all those rending their hearts to him. Joel 2:25 Thank you my Lord for rescuing me, your protection, assurance and pulling me back from the brink! What a joy you've given me! I could never have imagined how good it could be and your plan for my life. The Madera Rescue Mission needs donations of time, treasure and talent. Even taking the trash out and helping feed folks is a blessing! Please pray for those at the mission and those serving, that lives would be changed for Christ, that HE'D receive the honor, for protection, favor and blessing! For us, it's impossible work, but not for Him! It's in gratitude that I walk, -G

Did not eat there! . Drove several miles out of way. Found dining room empty. Ditty tables, not…read moreset up or spaced. 4 or 5 people at counter, weaitress distracted, no acknowledgement! Walked out after 10 minutes . Not at all an appealing waitress!

absolutely loved playing here.. went for a 7am t time with my cousins for first time & i can't wait…read moreto go back! the course was in spectacular shape & the greens/fairways were very nice. on top of the amazing course, the staff was awesome & very kind. if you get the chance to play here i highly recommend you do.

This place blew me away. I had Rhanda (I think that's the spelling) as a guide and she was SO…read moreterrific. This is a historical landmark and she walked me through every room with great detail on the origin story and the rooms we were in. One of the best tour guides I've had. I have never experienced anything this - you have to really appreciate the amount of work, design and detail by Baldassare Forestiere - truly a feat! Very grateful the family makes this available for tours. Highly recommend if you appreciate gardening, architecture, art, engineering etc. They also did a great job of reminding me of my appointment and following up afterwards. If in Fresno area, this is a don't miss!!

My family along with our cousins and aunt decided to tour the Forestier Underground Gardens. It was…read moresuch a gem to visit. The gardens were built in an unexpected park of Fresno and these is a lot of history behind them. Parking was somewhat difficult but once you enter, the staff were very kind, organized, and positive. Our tour guide Raul was super sweet and provided a lot of history regarding the gardens and the family who built them. Raul had my 3 young boys engaged and interested. He answered all my questions and was so open to conversation. You could tell Raul was proud to be there telling all of us how the Gardens came to be. The Gardens are very interesting. I've never seen anything quite like these. The smell of all the citrus trees combine with the natural cooling underground was amazing and made the tour comfortable. If you have any time i do recommend visiting these secret gardens.

Joel, Nikki and the rest of the staff is top notch! Great wines and great prices makes this one of…read moreour fav wineries Their Cab is a fav. Roomie and I used the Red Blend as the standard-to-beat in Paso this weekend -- no other Red Blend came home with us -- next trip will be back to Madera! See you again soon Joel

With our baby shower quickly approaching we decided to reach out to a few possible venue options…read more We initially emailed San Joaquin with our estimated guest count and preferred dates. We heard back within a timely manner and we decided to check out the space in person before officially committing. Once my husband and I went in person we knew that it was the perfect venue as it was open and inviting. Not to mention the staff was fantastic and made us feel so welcome! I also appreciated their quick communication. The day of the event was just perfect! Their staff was so helpful and accommodating. You can tell our guests really enjoyed themselves especially having a host bar. Our event was in the spring, so even if there was a risk of rain having a covered heated patio space gave us peace of mind. I can't thank San Joaquin enough for all of their help and would highly recommend them to our family and friends!

After going to a few of these over the years I would say it's just ok. I do like they moved it to…read morethe fairgrounds because the parking at the airport was a dirt field and the event was on the tarmac. Now the Pomegranate Festival is nicely shaded with grassy areas and parking is not an issue. One thing I would like to see is vendor booth's going pomegranate crazy, nothing here says this is a pomegranate Festival. I would expect to find a plethora of food item's with pomegranate but nope you won't find that. There is a small car show, the food vendors get better every year (slightly) , the rest of the event is misc. booth's selling or advertising. The event is family friendly and is FREE!