I recently put together a fairly substantial road trip to see a bunch of California I'd never…read moreproperly explored, including a handful of stops, like this one, to see things that had gone on mental my list to see "eventually" like a decade ago, that I decided to cross off as many of as I could, at once. Honestly, I didn't entirely know what to expect - I'd seen pictures of the place, but pictures don't do the *scale* of the place justice. Indeed, having now taken the tour of what is left, the most mindboggling thing I learned about it is, by the time anyone had started working to preserve what was left, a majority of the land Forestiere had converted to his home, had long been sold to developers, who just filled it all back in. It was originally even several times larger! Anyway, the part I did already know, but it was still impressive to see in person: from ground level, it hardly looks like anything, just a standard small orchard, if that. But as soon as you descend, you can see, and *feel*, instantly why he built it. Unlike the sprawling Winchester house I originally had mentally compared it to, which was built by a rich person slowly going insane, in this case, it was built by someone with fairly modest wealth (indeed, when he started, no wealth whatsoever), just loads of time and the willingness to learn how to construct and then, for the rest of his life, continuously improve, a wonderfully air conditioned house using no electricity (it was a hundred million degrees outside the weekend we were there, and a perfect temperature once the tour started), that everything he built, was built to make it a more comfortable place for himself to live and grow citrus, as he slowly McGuyvered himself a megamansion out of nothing but primitive tools, a couple donkeys, and decades worth of time and effort. Super cool! (Well, we did learn, eventually he realized what he was building could be turned into a hotel, and had started working on that when he died. It's too bad he didn't complete it - I'd have loved to stay in that hotel!) It's even more impressive that, while it eventually turned into quite a home, he *started* digging it as a temporary fix to try to grow his citrus, after he moved to Fresno hoping to farm citrus, so when he discovered the topsoil sucked too much to grow citrus trees, he dug deeper down, planted citrus there, and built an underground citrus grove so successfully, with fruit of all shapes and sizes, that a majority are still the same citrus trees growing there now - and they look *seriously* juicy. I just wish they could sell them to us when they were ripe - I wanted to eat one! (I asked - they aren't legally allowed to sell produce to consumers themselves. Every once in a while some local business will buy produce and make snacks they can sell themselves, but mostly they just have to let the produce fall naturally and decompose back into the soil.) I wouldn't feel the need to come back now that I've seen it - it's not like anything is likely to *change* at this point (unless maybe they eventually could get a license to sell the citrus grown there?) - but it was definitely worth making the detour to see the place finally. p.s. Parking was not *nearly* as much of a big deal as I'd worried it would be. The website indicates that due to construction on the next big street over, it's street parking, so get there early. Turns out the street they said to park in, is basically a glorified alley - admittedly, we were the first tour of the day, it might get busier later, but there was *tons* of free parking. I was mostly worried about our car being broken into, being in what is now a fairly sketchy-looking neighborhood with zero foot traffic most of the time. It was fine, though, obviously.

Shoutout to Kelsey, our awesome tour guide. She walked us through the Forestiere's underground…read moregarden and spoke proudly about its history. My family came here to visit not knowing what to expect. It was a great experience learning how Forestiere built these tunnels so intentionally and with innovation. The guided tour is about 60 minutes and includes a lot of walking with some stairs, so be prepared with comfy shoes. However, there's also benches in the tunnels if you need a quick seat. The tour ends in the grand ballroom which connects to the gift shop. There you can find citrus sorbet made from the fruits of this garden. I had to give that a taste and it was sweet and zesty. I went home with some postcards to send to friends too. This place is also California State National Landmark No. 916! You must add it to your bucket list of adventures.

Fantastic place for the city of Hanford! From 1905 to now, we must preserve it! You should know…read morewhile other museums are dying our Hanford and surrounding area youth are enjoying it. Luckily the Pokemon group that uses it as a start point for their game are becoming members. Give it a looksie. Interesting items inside including articles from Amelia Earhart and the Mussel Slough Tragedy gunfight from 1880

This museum is the result of some people putting out the word to folks to bring in their treasures…read moreto preserve some local history. There is an odd, but lovely mix of things: antique medical equipment, a dress remade out of Amelia Earhart's dress, a fire-charred doll from the 1700s, a set of plastic California Raisins--circa 1986, old china, an impressive array of taxidermy. The "Hanford Horse", discovered during excavation at a construction site, gets prominent display downstairs. The building itself is interesting and appealing. Don't miss the huge hair wreath near the front door. It is made of (you guessed it!) human hair and was a wedding present long ago. If you're looking for some local color in Hanford, this is definitely worth a look.

Such a FUN place!! It was a good find and affordable tickets. Veterans and kids less than 3 y/o get…read morein free (Yayy). The only ticket we paid for was my husband's and that was only $8! My son loved it. He ran everywhere, fed the fish, dug for bones, so many things! Ms. Natalie did the group play when we were there, she is so sweet and professional. We will definitely keep Fresno discovery in our family's activity rotation. Thank you

Low cost end kept the kids busy for a couple hours-My daughter wanted to see animals and we just…read moremissed pumkin patch season and we were committed to taking her to a full on zoo day. They have tortoises, a turtle, frog, gecko and bugs. Plus a pond w fish in it. There's a lot of interactive and play exhibits. My favorite was the augmented reality on sand, which my daughter loved too. Some run-down things on display but there's enough things to do learn and explore. There are special days w even more discounted pricing. There is a lot of space to run on the back and a playground. It's also connected to another park and garden.

First time here with the kiddos and their little cousins! They had a blast! And I'm just at awe…read moreevery corner I look and go to! Down to the restroom with the tiny tiny toilets for the littles! Lol! Love the fact there's kid friendly washing stations through the museum making it easy for the kids. The indoor treehouse has cameras on the outside so parents can keep an eye on the littles while they are in the treehouse which is awesome! The entire time we were there I saw workers tidy up and sanitize and clean the whole time so that is reassuring! Like the indoor didn't impress me enough.. when we went outside.. I was mind blown at how much is outside and how even cuter it is! They had balance bikes with helmet and a track for kiddos, fishing, building, learning to milk a cow, dinosaurs, farmers market, and so much more! Also, kid friend height table and benches perfect for snacking and breaks. Is to note there isn't any food or drinks available for purchase at the museum but we were able to bring our snacks. Price point was so affordable especially for the experience and what they offer for the kids. We will definitely recommend this place and would highly likely return!

Heard this is a great place for young kiddos, and boy that rumor was true! Our kids loved it! Our…read morekids were entertained the whole time. Loved all the hands on activities. Everything from a fish aquarium, to a fire truck, slides , kitchen, and more. Could have spent the day here , if they were open longer. They have an outdoor area, however was closed due to the rain. Will be back to check it out though. Only open to the public four days a week, other days closed for field trips. Can be pricey $15 for kids one and up and $10 per adult; $7.50 for seniors. Can add up quickly for large families.

Beautiful little place in downtown Hanford! My son goes to music therapy there. Love the garden and…read morecharming atmosphere.

Very cute place. I enjoyed this stop. The kids had a lot of fun running around and visiting the…read moredifferent storybook homes. They also enjoyed going in the water. I didn't bring swimsuits so I let them swim in their underwear. The kids loved it.

It is a shame that the Imperial Dynasty closed it doors in 2006 (see review), but China Alley's…read moreTaoist Temple Preservation Society, keeps at least the temple going. You can still visit the Temple & Alley on Sat.. You can also Goggle it & find a link to contribute to this almost forgotten piece of Chinese-American History. I will quote from their website as follows: "Everything you ever wanted to know about China Alley. China Alley in Hanford, California traces its roots to 1877, when the Central Pacific railroad was extended westward into the area and the new town of Hanford was formed. Numerous Chinese came to the area, many initially to help build the railroads, but others came for farming and agricultural purposes. China Alley grew rapidly and the Chinatown prospered to include restaurants, homes, boarding houses, grocery stores, laundries, herb shops with reputable herbal doctors, sundries stores, gambling establishments, a Chinese school and a Taoist Temple. It soon became known as a "city within a city" with buildings lining both sides of the alley made from bricks formed and fired on site. Visiting Hanford's China Alley Historic District is a fascinating adventure that allows us to step back into history. As visitors enter China Alley today, they are met with a sense of historic ambiance that is reminiscent of a strong cultural heritage. Many of the buildings lining the alley are visually unaltered and remain largely as they did over 100 years ago. Various myths and folkloric legends have weaved their way into tales of this historic Alley. It has been alleged that the population of Hanford's Chinatown went from a small but thriving number of residents to a crowded metropolis rivaling the Chinatowns of San Francisco and Los Angeles. The stories of underground passageways that connected the basements of some merchants on China Alley have been wildly embellished to include tall tales of an expansive network of subterranean tunnels that reached far away from the Alley's core. Some minor alterations to the ground floor of several of the buildings occurred while creating The Chinese Pagoda and Imperial Dynasty restaurants in the late 1950s. These restaurants were established and operated by the Wing family and once served as a catalyst for the revitalization of China Alley. For nearly 50 years until its closure in 2006, the Imperial Dynasty was recognized as a world renowned restaurant serving continental cuisine. The restaurant became famous for its gourmet dinners, extensive wine cellar, and escargots bourguignon. Certified executive chef Richard Wing is widely credited as the originator of fusion cuisine as he combined Chinese and French cooking techniques that became known as Chinoise. One of the highlights of China Alley is The Taoist Temple Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Temple and Museum offers a rare and authentic experience of entering a unique and historic cultural structure that has remained mostly unchanged over the years. Upstairs in the Taoist Temple Museum, the original Temple exists where visitors are first met with large plaques covered with Chinese characters that list the names of members of the Sam Yup Association who donated funds for the construction of the building. On the south wall are wooden figures of the eight immortals while their corresponding ceremonial staves are displayed next to the stairwell. In a corner of the room is a ceremonial brick oven in which symbolic paper money or clothing was burned as an offering to an individual's ancestors. Silk embroideries throughout the Temple featuring animals, birds, and shiny objects have various symbolic meanings. A variety of tools used for individual worship remain where they were once used. Apparent on the ceiling are different methods of lighting from bygone eras that were used to illuminate the Temple. A separate room behind an elaborate altar served as a schoolroom so children could learn of their cultural heritage and beliefs. The street level of the Taoist Temple Museum includes rooms that once served as sleeping quarters for single men. These rooms now reveal a variety of artifacts from the everyday life of Hanford's Chinese residents including kitchen items, gambling matter, and articles and furnishings from several of the Alley's herb shops. Along the walls of the single hallway are photos of the early populace and structures of the area. A small shop occupies the front of the ground floor where informative books and commemorative items can be purchased with the proceeds used to assist in ongoing maintenance of the Temple and the restoration of other buildings in the Historic District."

The Lord told me about this place in a dream, and the upstairs is a temple. I been here 3x first 2…read moreI came it was closed but the third time I came they were open however to visit the temple upstairs you will need appointment in advance. I pray that this place will be preserved forever in Jesus name because the spirit of the LORD dwells here.

Well organized and informative, with a wide range of local historical exhibits. Displays cover…read morepaleontology, Joaquin Murrieta, oil era, earthquake, and much more. Pleasant and helpful staff.

Such I neat museum! So many things to see. The docent is very nice as well. Enjoyed this and the…read moregas station museum as well

One of the best places to learn about wars in US History from the last 125 years! So much…read morememorabilia, artifacts, costumes, and testimonials along with actual veterans who volunteer there and are ready to answer any questions you have or just to say "thank you for your service." Such a rich treasure trove of information and artifacts and well organized. Anyone who is doing research on any of the wars, making a movie or documentary, or even some local Fresno history needs to come here and do their homework. You simply can't take it all in with one visit. Seriously, this place has the most artifacts I've ever seen in any veteran's or US historical museum and we have this piece of history right here in our own town. Let your friends in Hollywood know, this is the place to come to check your facts and see an amazing collection!

I didn't visit this museum this time around, but did watch my nephew and niece in a play version…read moreof, The Wizard of OZ. The theater here is on the smaller side, but is perfect for kid plays and other local theater shows. To help fill the space on stage, they have an LED screen that allows any color, theme, or design to be added and enhance the physical props on the stage. The audio kept popping, not if that's because of the kids touching mics, but was a little distracting. I loved the real fire balls they shot up from the stage whenever the wicked witch arrived along with the subtle fog and light elements. The only available parking is street parking and it's metered. So get here earlier to snag a spot close to the venue.

This was a very interesting place. It's nice someone cared enough to preserve it for future…read moregenerations. It's good to embrace history and this museum is full of that. Our tour guide was new and a little vague on some points of interest but that really didn't bother me. It has a cute little gift shop and tours are by donation so don't cheap out when you visit. What's a few dollars to walk back in time.

Quoted from the Taoist Temple Preservation Society website (where you can also contribute online):…read more "Everything you ever wanted to know about China Alley. China Alley in Hanford, California traces its roots to 1877, when the Central Pacific railroad was extended westward into the area and the new town of Hanford was formed. Numerous Chinese came to the area, many initially to help build the railroads, but others came for farming and agricultural purposes. China Alley grew rapidly and the Chinatown prospered to include restaurants, homes, boarding houses, grocery stores, laundries, herb shops with reputable herbal doctors, sundries stores, gambling establishments, a Chinese school and a Taoist Temple. It soon became known as a "city within a city" with buildings lining both sides of the alley made from bricks formed and fired on site. Visiting Hanford's China Alley Historic District is a fascinating adventure that allows us to step back into history. As visitors enter China Alley today, they are met with a sense of historic ambiance that is reminiscent of a strong cultural heritage. Many of the buildings lining the alley are visually unaltered and remain largely as they did over 100 years ago. Various myths and folkloric legends have weaved their way into tales of this historic Alley. It has been alleged that the population of Hanford's Chinatown went from a small but thriving number of residents to a crowded metropolis rivaling the Chinatowns of San Francisco and Los Angeles. The stories of underground passageways that connected the basements of some merchants on China Alley have been wildly embellished to include tall tales of an expansive network of subterranean tunnels that reached far away from the Alley's core. Some minor alterations to the ground floor of several of the buildings occurred while creating The Chinese Pagoda and Imperial Dynasty restaurants in the late 1950s. These restaurants were established and operated by the Wing family and once served as a catalyst for the revitalization of China Alley. For nearly 50 years until its closure in 2006, the Imperial Dynasty was recognized as a world renowned restaurant serving continental cuisine. The restaurant became famous for its gourmet dinners, extensive wine cellar, and escargots bourguignon. Certified executive chef Richard Wing is widely credited as the originator of fusion cuisine as he combined Chinese and French cooking techniques that became known as Chinoise. One of the highlights of China Alley is The Taoist Temple Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Temple and Museum offers a rare and authentic experience of entering a unique and historic cultural structure that has remained mostly unchanged over the years. Upstairs in the Taoist Temple Museum, the original Temple exists where visitors are first met with large plaques covered with Chinese characters that list the names of members of the Sam Yup Association who donated funds for the construction of the building. On the south wall are wooden figures of the eight immortals while their corresponding ceremonial staves are displayed next to the stairwell. In a corner of the room is a ceremonial brick oven in which symbolic paper money or clothing was burned as an offering to an individual's ancestors. Silk embroideries throughout the Temple featuring animals, birds, and shiny objects have various symbolic meanings. A variety of tools used for individual worship remain where they were once used. Apparent on the ceiling are different methods of lighting from bygone eras that were used to illuminate the Temple. A separate room behind an elaborate altar served as a schoolroom so children could learn of their cultural heritage and beliefs. The street level of the Taoist Temple Museum includes rooms that once served as sleeping quarters for single men. These rooms now reveal a variety of artifacts from the everyday life of Hanford's Chinese residents including kitchen items, gambling matter, and articles and furnishings from several of the Alley's herb shops. Along the walls of the single hallway are photos of the early populace and structures of the area. A small shop occupies the front of the ground floor where informative books and commemorative items can be purchased with the proceeds used to assist in ongoing maintenance of the Temple and the restoration of other buildings in the Historic District."

This is a great way to spend half a day in Fresno, especially if it's a cold or rainy day. I have…read morecome here twice on their FREE days, which are every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Their exhibits change periodically, so if you wait a few months to go again there is usually something new to see. The staff is very welcoming and kind. Right now they have a kid exhibit which is cute, they had some art by Diego Rivera. They have a very interesting cemetery piece. I think my fave was The fruit of life and The contemporary art exhibit, using stones from Zimbabwe (I can't remember the name). They have an outdoor area where you can sit under trees and they also have sculptures out there as well. They also have a great little gift shop! Definitely check it out and support Fresno's Art museum. Afterwards you can go to lunch at Sam's Italian deli across the street or Thai Phucket near by!

The art itself is absolutely five stars--beautiful, thoughtful, and well curated. Unfortunately,…read moreour experience with the staff completely overshadowed the visit. We came with our kids, including my 10-year-old daughter, who is an artist and was genuinely excited to be there. Instead of feeling welcomed, we were treated like our presence was a nuisance. The staff was extremely strict and repeatedly barked orders at us, with very little customer service or warmth. In one area that had children's blocks, our kids were playing and got a little loud. Wanting to be considerate, my husband closed the door so they wouldn't disturb others. There were no signs anywhere saying the door couldn't be closed. A staff member then came in, visibly upset, and yelled at us--again, with no clear explanation or signage to justify the reaction. Later in the gift shop, another staff member sharply reprimanded my kids for leaning on the glass. Once again, no signs were posted, and the tone was unnecessarily harsh. None of this felt kid-friendly or welcoming. It's unfortunate, because the art and the artists deserve better representation. The staff's behavior made it hard to enjoy the exhibits at all, and it completely turned us off from what could have been a great family experience. We had even considered a membership, but after being treated this way, we will not be returning. The art is wonderful. The customer service is not. ### In response to the owner's reply: your response reinforces exactly why we will not be returning. Your tone comes across as condescending and punitive, with the majority of your response focused on what we supposedly did wrong rather than how your staff handled the situation. Saying you will "talk to your staff" reads like an afterthought when roughly 90% of your response places blame on us. We are fully aware that this is not a children's museum or an interactive museum. The fact that you felt the need to explain this only adds to the condescension. Our children were respectful, quiet, and well-behaved. They were not running, not acting out, and not treating the space inappropriately. In the designated children's area, their voices briefly rose while playing together. Out of courtesy to other guests, my husband closed the door--unaware it was not meant to be closed or that it locks automatically, as there was no signage indicating this. The staff's response was unnecessarily aggressive. You offer a family pass, which implies families are welcome. A family-friendly environment should not make parents and children feel like a nuisance. Because of both the original experience and the tone of your response, I am updating my review from two stars to one star.