| Fresno is a city in the central part of the state of California. With a population of just over 500,000 it is the thirty-fifth largest city in the United States. The MSA has 920,000 residents. The city is also located in Fresno County, California. The elevation of Frensno is 290 feet. Fresno is within the Pacific Standard Time Zone and Fresno area code is 559. Following the Gold Rush in the mid 1800s the city of Fresno was established. Community Medical Centers is the area's largest employer, of over 5,000 workers. Other large employers include Kaiser Permanente, California State University Fresno, and the City of Fresno. Fresno weather is warm with average winter lows of 38 degrees and summer high temperatures in the mid 90s. Precipitation: Rain averages less than an inch per month. The median family income is around $36,000. Area educational facilities include California State University, Fresno; California Christian College, National University at Fresno, University of Phoenix, DeVry University, Alliant International University, and Fresno City College. Fresno things to do include Discovery Center, Fresno Art Museum, Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, Kearney Mansion Museum, and Fresno's Chaffee Zoo.
Area attractions and entertainment include Liberty Theater, Fresno Philharmonic, Youth Orchestras of Fresno, and the Fresno Grand opera. Fresno shopping can found in the Tower District and the West Side. Annual Fresno events and festivals include the ArtHop, the Fresno Film Festival, the Fall Wine Cornucopia, and the Miss California Pageant. Local sports teams include baseball's Fresno Grizzlies, soccer's Fresno Fuego, hockey's Fresno Monsters, and arena football's Central Valley Coyotes. The area is served by The Fresno Bee newspaper and The Undercurrent as well as Fresno Magazine. Main area highways include SR 99 and SR 168. The Fresno Yosemite International Aiport serves the area. Amtrak service is available. The Fresno Area Express provides public transportation. |
