I drove past Brix Mansion probably a hundred times before I actually stopped to look at it properly…read moreand I'm annoyed it took me that long. this building is stunning. built in 1889 and it still commands the whole block on Fresno Street. the architecture is the kind you just don't see anymore, ornate, detailed, genuinely grand. standing in front of it you get this weird feeling like you accidentally walked into a different century. it's on the National Register of Historic Places which it absolutely deserves. Fresno has more history than people give it credit for and Brix Mansion is one of the best physical reminders of that. if you're into architecture, local history, or just beautiful old buildings it's worth a deliberate visit not just a drive by. bring your camera because the photos basically take themselves. it's the kind of thing that makes you proud your city has preserved it and also a little sad most locals probably don't know its there. now you do. go look at it.

This is the only Italian Villa mansion with a baroque ornamentation that you would ever find in…read moreFresno, so tourist, architecture buffs and history lovers, this is perfect place for you to visit. This is a historic site and it should be on your must visit list while in Fresno. This mansion located in downtown Fresno, is one of its kind and unfortunately it is now a law office and doesn't showcase the lavish feature of its interior anymore to the public: three story twelve luxurious room, 4500 sq feet space. However the exterior of the house really is something to see and take plenty of picture off. Plus if you do visit this building, it wont be the only thing on your list to visit because 1 block away is the St John Cathedral and also the Meux mansion. There is no parking around its since its really close to the community hospital, I would suggest parking on R street near the church and take the opportunity to appreciate and take pictures of this architecture marvel. It looks like something that should be in Hollywood to be honest. most people in Fresno can pass it without even knowing that they have this beautiful building. If you must know the building was constructed for Herman H. and Helena S. Brix in 1910-1911. Herman H. Brix made a pioneering contribution to the development of Coalinga and was influential in the commercial expansion of Fresno. In addition to its historical associations, the Brix Mansion possesses considerable architectural significance. Designed by architect Edward T. Foulkes, it represents a brilliant example of a period-inspired Italian Villa, the only residence in Fresno built in this lavishly-embellished style. So take the opportunity to visit this unique mansion and bring your friends to impress them about the landmarks and historical building of Fresno.

I popped in to the Historic Water Tower during December's Art Hop. I had no idea it was open to the…read morepublic even until I stumbled across a FB event page for the Art hop event. Who knew? The tower itself is awesome. I got some great photos of it at night from the outside. I wanted to take a few more pics once inside but got camera shy because there was a handful of people lingering around in there. It was free to enjoy, so next time you are in downtown, check it out! You may end up purchasing something from the gift shop like I did.

The hours posted on the website are incorrect. We tried t lo visit on a Thursday at 1:40PM. Website…read morestates that is open from 10:00AM until 4:00PM. We were unable to visit as the tower was all locked up.

Zocalo Public Square is a "living magazine", bringing experts in various fields to Fresno to…read moreparticipate in free, open, public forums on a variety of topics. As a non-profit organization, they do this in the public interest, with sponsors interested in public education and involvement, such as the California Healthcare Foundation. They rove around Fresno to different venues, presenting in a variety of formats depending upon the specific topic: Lecture, Panel Discussion, Interviews. Their speakers are frequently people you've heard of or read about, and are generally nationally recognized experts. They ALWAYS provide for a healthy question and answer period, and all events are followed by a free wine and beer reception, where the audience has the opportunity to talk with the night's guests and with each other. I have personally attended over 100 of their events in various cities (mainly LA, their hometown), and I have found their events to be uniformly excellent and provocative, and I have learned a great deal on subjects that I knew nothing about, or even on subjects that I know well. I have particularly enjoyed meeting the various speakers in person and exchanging words with experts in the field. All of their events are videotaped and autiotaped for downloading and podcast the next day, and a written summary is generally available the following morning online. Their website is also a gem. It not only contains an archive of the hundreds of events they've held over the last 9 years, but also posts original writing daily on a variety of issues: cultural, societal, political, economic, health. Poetry is a common contribution. "Connecting People to Ideas and to Each Other" accurately portrays what they do.....and did I mention, they are FREE? From the website: "Zócalo Public Square, a project of the Center for Social Cohesion, is a living magazine, an innovative blend of on-the-ground events and on-line journalism, that connects people to ideas and to each other in an open, accessible, non-partisan and broad-minded spirit. Through our web publication, lectures, panels, screenings, and conferences, Zócalo explores ideas that enhance our understanding of citizenship and community--the forces that strengthen or undermine human connectedness and social cohesion. We believe that over specialization and narrowcasting undermine the public square and are committed to welcoming a new, young and diverse generation to the conversation. Established in Los Angeles in 2003, Zócalo roams across L.A. and Phoenix, and has traveled to Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, and as far as Shanghai, Berlin and Guadalajara. In our eight years, we have featured over 800 compelling thinkers and doers from a wide range of fields--politics, governance, humanities, health, economics, education, technology, foreign policy, arts, science and beyond--who explore how we see and relate to one another, be it locally, regionally, nationally, or globally." Here is a video excerpt from a recent event on the future of rural healthcare, an important topic for the region: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc6RYrYR3Zk&list=UUr14_h2WJNXeFfO38C9Rv3Q&index=6&feature=plcp

Visiting the statue of Festus (Ken Curtis) from the television western Gunsmoke. Parking is always…read moreavailable at the bank.

We got the tip to see this statue from our Roadside America app. We detoured from Fresno to Clovis…read moreand found Ken Curtis next to the credit union. It's worth stopping to walk around the downtown area once your car is parked.

I went to the Fresno library and they did not have a book they told me that this book was located…read moreat the Madera Ranchos library. I decided to take the trip out there it is about 25 minutes away from the Fresno fig Garden branch library it is a very small library in a parking lot that is behind a store. To my surprise when I went inside there was a lot of room inside the library it was very clean and neatly organized . There was a very nice library in there who printed some bookmarks on her 3-D printer and gave one to me and my son. There was a young man in there making some arts and crafts and there was a children section. we also happen to use the restroom which was well-maintained nice and clean. As a mom who has to study sometimes I may use this library more quiet place to study because it's not as busy as the Fresno library usually is. It's also in a nicer part of town and it was easy to get to you just have to keep your eyes open for the library because it's in the furthest corner in the back of the lot. The nice lady at the counter was a younger woman and she showed us her 3d printer and that it printed its own replacement part!

No, I wasn't here for court. I had a Medicare Broker's meeting at the Doubletree Inn around the…read morecorner and wanted someplace different to eat for lunch. I'm a bit jaded. I saw the pictures of the cherry blossom café and didn't know it was in this building. But I'm so glad I came. If you don't mind going through a phalanx of security and metal detectors, you will be able to see what is one of the most beautiful brutalist style architecture federal court houses in the country. It is richly yet simply appointed with a blend between natural materials, stones, ceramics, metal and glass. Like my favorite in design, the materials and simplify do the talking. The scale is drop dead gorgeous and even the landscape show every bit of it it's $127 million budget. So glad I went off the beaten path to see this beautiful addition to the city. What a treat for the senses and so quiet, roomy...just the way I like it! For those who have historical knowledge of architecture, appreciate build quality and the brutalist style, do not miss this location! -G

Best food out of any courthouse I have had. You can come here for lunch even if you aren't set for…read morecourt. It's so fancy, I hear the judges have showers in their chambers and a BBQ on top.

What horrible customer service, I'm standing in the longest line I've seen in awhile. There's 3…read morewoman in numbers 7-9 not doing anything whatsoever. Except gossiping, ones on her phone. You want people to get in and out of here good luck with that. Oh and there's no free parking. Thanks Fresno for making the tax payers pay for parking just to come pay off traffic fines or tickets. Or even just come to traffic court. This is beyond crazy and unacceptable.

At least I know where it is at. But on phone they are very courtesy and friendly and give you…read moreinformation what you need to know. Online quick and easy for what you need to do.

We had to go to get on the computer for the hubby & we're not to savvy computer wise but the…read morelibrarian in there was sooo nice & professional & courteous helped us with what we needed. It's really clean pretty quiet has so much to give for anyone looking for what they need books & movies & studying etc. it's got good parking & next to the police department & fire department. Also has a lil playground for kids to play or have a lil picnic.

I dont come much but when I do with my cousin or other business it's always clean & the librarians…read moreare so helpful. So if your in our lil town & need books maybe a movie or something stop on by. We've never been disappointed.