Fresno okay for 1 night?
 

Our trip to California is about a month away, <BR>everything is planned & booked, we are staying 1 night in Fresno, at the Fairfield Inn on Thesta Ave, this is our stop for the night after leaving Yosemite in the early evening, then the next morning heading to Cambria...anyway, I was doing a search on Yosemite for ideas on our time there & read that Fresno is a dangerous city..is where we are staying for the 1 night okay..or should we book closer to Yosemite or maybe in Clovis, we want a nice, inexpenisve as we can get room for just this one night..Thanks!

Fresno certainly isn't a dangerous place. Just a hot, valley town. But why on earth are you staying there? Leave Yosemite in the late afternoon via Hwy 140 to Merced and across to Monterey Bay - it is less than 175 miles and you can spend the night in Scenic Monterey instead of deadly hot Fresno. <BR> <BR>Then you can drive down the coast to Cambria. I would never use Fresno as a stopover to anywhere.

Our stay in Fresno is on the way to Cambria, we have reservations for one night there & a nite tour of the Hearst Castle, the next day, we will drive up Hwy 1, take our time & arrive in Pacific Grove for one night stay at Green Gable Inn & then around noon head back to SFO for our flight back home. What other cities could we stay at near Fresno that would be more "desirable", we want to leave Yosemite as late as daylight will permit, since we will only have 2 full days there.

I can't help you on the Fresno hotel dilemna, but let me just say that you're going to really enjoy the evening tour at Hearst Castle. It's my favorite of the tours and just wonderful.

There is nothing better anywhere around Fresno. But it is only a little more than 60 miles from Yosemite Valley so you aren't gaining much by stopping there. <BR> <BR>Why don't you leave in the afternoon and drive all the way to Cambria? It would be less than 4 hours including a stop to eat along the way.

Clovis and Fresno are right together you don't even notice driving from one to the other. Two burbs. Your post asks if you should stay closer to Yosemite or stay in Clovis but you tell Janis it's already booked which leaves me with the impression you really want to do a night in Fresno. There are some places that aren't safe just like any town. Never heard of Thesta Ave. Lived there for 5 or 6 years many years ago . Have stayed in the Marriott Courtyard on Shaw near hwy 41 (hey it was a wedding, I had to stay). If you want alternatives and you're determined to leave the park via 41 try Fish Camp. Two places, Apple Tree Inn and Tanaya Lodge are both good. If you're staying in Fresno, find out from your hotel if it's near the University. If so your safe. Try to find out the neighborhood or neighboring streets and what's the access on and off 41. If it's near Shaw Ave, not to worry.

The Fairfield Inn is a Marriott property, it says it's 2 miles from the University. We would've stayed a 3rd night at the Yosemite Lodge, but it was already booked for that Friday nite..this is Sept 21, & Fresno looked like it was the most convenient place to stay on the way out of Yosemite & on the way to Cambria, we will only need it to sleep the night, plus the room is cheap..$65, so thought we could save some money there since the rest of our 10 day trip is costly. What kind of danger are we talking about, drugs & gangs? I'll call the Fairfield tomorrow & ask what neighborhood it's in. How about Oakhurst?...that's on Hwy 41, we really do want to spend as much time as we can in Yosemite on that Friday...thanks to all that have helped.

Hey, you guys, we're not that bad. Susan, you are just fine. The Fairfield is a newer motel along Hiway 41, around the Bullard Ave cross street. You will be coming into Fresno on 41, and leaving for Cambria on 41, so it's real convenient. It's in an ok area, not to worry. This is a much better way to get to Cambria than via Merced and Monterey (IMO, sorry Janis). <BR>Departing Yosemite Valley, just before the tunnel, just as you are starting out of the valley, there is a large turnout on your right, where some of the most famous pictures of Yosemite are taken. Plenty of room for you to stop and take a final look. It is awesome from that sight. Your trip to Fresno from the Valley floor will take about 2 - 2.5 hours, non-stop. The road is mostly two lane. <BR>Your idea to break your trip at Fresno is most logical, as it will be another 2.5 to 3 hours from Fresno to Cambria. <BR>Oakhurst could be a good dinner stop, depending on when you leave the Valley. <BR>When you leave Fresno, you will continue west on 41, so you will have easy-on from the Fairfield. <BR>If you have more time than you want in Fresno, or want to eat here, ask the hotel person to direct you to River Park. You will see it from the elevated Hiway 41 as you enter Fresno (it will be on your right before you get to Bullard Ave). There is an Edwards Theater, Borders, and many, many places to eat. An upscale center. <BR>We've stayed at the Green Gable inn in Pacific Grove, you will love it. It's world famous, right on a dynamic part of one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. The breakfast is superb. <BR>I think your itinerary is very logical. If you would like more information or details, please feel free to email me direct. <BR>Yes, Susan, Fresno IS ok for 1 night! <BR>

Susan: <BR>I agree with Bill. Your stop in Fresno will be fine. I've stopped there many times. There a lot of travel hotels just for this purpose. There is some crime downtown like most US cities but where you are will be perfectly OK. If you wait till evening to leave Yosemite, you wouldn't get to Monterey till midnight. Do stop.

Bill: I agree w/ you. Susan wasn't clear in her first post about going to Monterey AFTER they leave Cambria. My first post was a suggestion to get her to the coast and out of the valley faster. If you see my 2nd post I suggested she go through Fresno. <BR> <BR>Fresno is a fine place - just not a tourist hotbed. But stopping there to save driving time/money on the way to Cambria just doesn't make any sense to me. It would be like staying in Fairfield on the way from SF to Tahoe. Yes it is on the way, but why stop there? Press on farther and get closer to their final destination.

I spent a week in Fresno one night! <BR> <BR>The already mentioned Courtyard Marriott on Shaw and Hwy 41 is nice and safe. <BR> <BR>Just don't try and drive on Shaw from 7a.m. to 9a.m. or 3:30p.m to 6:00p.m. <BR>If you do, bring War and Peace for some quiet time reading between stop lights and backed up traffic.

I have a large number of relatives in and around Fresno and have for many years. there have been problems with drug related violence but as in the case of other cities where the media reports this, it's isolated to particular areas of the city center. if you're staying in the areas mentioned (on or around Shaw Ave and near the University) it's a non-issue. I wouldn't suggest cruising around in your car late at night in parts unknown of downtown area Fresno but that advice holds true for nearly every city I can think of.

Also, while Owen is right on point, I believe Fresno may have been named "Car Theft" Capital of the U.S., so if you have anti-theft devices, use them!

On Rt. 41 if you leave from the south entrance of Yosemite, in Oakhurst is Erna's Elderberry House, a fantastic restaurant that people come from all around the have dinner or the Sunday brunch. You must make a reservation--call 209-683-6800. It's a six course price fixed and scrumptuous. Not much to do in Fresno, you might as well enjoy a great meal on the way. You'll be just fine.

Okay, my mind is at ease now about Fresno, we'll just stay out of the bad parts, we won't be there much more than 12 hrs anyway...I live 60 miles from Chicago & go into the city often, so I know which areas you stay away from, & my little city of 40,000 is now experiencing it's own "dangerous area", 3 murders in the last year, this is from the elements that come from Chicago..oh well. I should've made my reasons for stopping in Fresno clearer in my original post, thanks to the gentlemen for their driving suggestions, etc. Also to Bill for his advice on what to do in Fresno if we have extra time & the thumbs up on Green Gable Inn...looking forward to that very much! <BR>Kam..how was your lunch w/ your mother-in-law? Did you go to Mon Ami Gabi on your trip to Illinois? Erna's Elderberry House looks lovely, not sure it will fit into our budget though, we will be dining at the Ahawanee Lodge (sp?) for dinner while in Yosemite. I may be back for more suggestions for our CA trip...thanks again!

Susan, Mon Ami Gabi was perfect, but the weather, oh my god, how can you stand it??? We had a lovely lunch, but it was so hot we decided not to go shopping at Oak Brook. If you can, try to stop at Erna's Elderberry House---if not,the dining room at the Ahwanhee is wonderful and beautiful (although the food is not stellar)--think the food at Erna's Elderberry might be a lot better than the Ahwanhee. You can ask for the honeymoon table at the Ahwanhee which is in a little bay facing the prettiest view. Life is a trade off --thanks for your suggestions of Mon Ami Gabi--the decibel level was perfect and she pictured herself in a "grand restaurant." So good to have these personal recommendations. Have a great trip to California and know that Fresno will be just fine! Post if you need more recommendations.---Where is 60 miles from Chicago?

Susan, We used to live in Evanston--although a couple weeks ago it was infested with flies that bite the dogs' noses at the beach on Davis Street. How do you guys do it? I'm a really spoiled exChicago now Californian.!

Kam, so glad Mon Ami Gabi was enjoyable for you & mom-in-law. I thought I'd try it a couple weeks ago for lunch too & really liked the Oak Brook restaurant just as much as the one in Lincoln Park. <BR>Yes...the weather was awful here for 3 weeks...it's been beautiful & perfect since last Friday though. We were up in Evanston last Sunday for a picnic in the park on the lake, no bugs at all, must've been because of the much better weather...it really is a small world. 60 miles west of Chicago is DeKalb...I'm sure you've heard of it! <BR>Thanks again for all your help, we're now in the stage of thinking of restaurants in SF, so may be back for suggestions on those & others. <BR>I'll call the Ahwahnee & ask for that special table, we have a sunset seating, so want to take full advantage of it! <BR>I've seen the website for Erna's Elderberry House & the Chateau & Villa...oh my...that's high living, looks just wonderful!

I would just make sure that I was packing some heat if I were you. Nothing like a personal firearm to make one feel comfortable in an "unsafe" area.

Susan, Of course we know DeKalb.The weather in Chicago cleared one day before I came home and I guess has been lovely since. What luck! The time we went to Erna's it was for a brunch with another couple. I recall it was expensive but not overly so. Maybe it's become more lately. In Cambia recommend the Sow's Ear and in Carmel Grasings. There are tons of good ones though. Have a great trip--we're off to England!

Kam, maybe we'll make Erna's a special treat for our last meal in the Yosemite area, the website shows that they have dinner for $78, that includes several courses, etc...not sure about wine, it really does look special. Thanks for the suggestion of Sow's Ear in Cambria...I had not thought about where to eat there yet, we are doing the nite tour of Hearst Castle. Also, we have reservations at Fandango's in Pacific Grove, I have seen several recommendations for it on this site. <BR>I just saw your suggestion of Betelnut in SF to another poster...I had already made reservations there! This has been a lot of fun, planning our trip this way. Have a great time in England! <BR>p.s. The weather has been more humid again..but nothing like when you visited!

Hi Susan, me again. Erna's Elderberry House is indeed a very special place for dinner. The menu is fixed for each day, depending on what she has been able to find at her various fish, meat, and vegetable markets. The dinner is begun with a glass of Elderberry champagne, and a verbal description of the evening's fare. There might be one or two choices for the entree. The deserts are wonderful, and you can take them out on a neat little patio. The $78 does not include wine. The courses are all wonderfully presented, and dinner will take 1.5 to 2 hours, if you go at her pace. Erna's is viewed as a special occassion dinner (anniversaries, birthdays, etc) by most of us down here in the flat lands. <BR>It will be about 1 hour to your hotel in Fresno from Erna's. Hope this helps. <BR>Fresno has a large number of very good Italian and Mexican restaurants. I would be glad to give you some ideas if you'd like, limited, of course, to those in the "good" areas. :) <BR>In Cambria, check out the motels/inns on Moonstone(?) Beach. Or better yet, search here for Cambria. You will find a wealth of info about that wonderful little coastal community. <BR>Have a great trip.