Scarlett

lvk, I guess whatever you do, just don't get any recommendations off of TripAdvisor. At least here you can get the "whole picture" . And avoid the yummy references lol.

TTess

But, but Scarlett and Beachbum, the strolling into lobbies and Googled information makes you an experienced traveler, an ***expert*** , right?

razzledazzle

Wonder why ***kim*** won't post about her HOME TOWN ?? She's around here somewhere, 'cause she's tagging on to all the recent Napa/Sonoma threads about her "overnight" trip up here.

R5

Scarlett

The poster you speak of razzle, is busy posting wrong answers on Oregon questions..I don't know why she won't answer a question about her own town..But it is annoying to have to go around cleaning up after the mis-information is posted..sigh..our work is never done

BillJ

Quit fighting, children. Be nice.
The folks in Clovis don't take kindly to references of "burb" of Fresno.
They have the most sought after and envied school district, with consistently blow away test scores; rank very high in the state.
A very low crime rate.
A very good rodeo in the spring.
A vibrant downtown, many very good restaurants. So be cool, folks.
Our air isn't nearly as brown as Bakersfield's. See, all the bad stuff from the People's Republic of San Francisco Bay Area blows down here and stacks up in the corner of the Great Valley, where it is held by the mountains. We are not blessed with refreshing sea breezes . . . .yet! Probably a couple of big ones away from that.
But, hey, lot of nice things going on here in Fresno; we're used to the kidding every since Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World featured Milton Berle as a seaweed salesman from Fresno.
Oh, yeah, we also claim a little of Cher's past, though I can't remember why, and don't think I care.
So, lvk, if you're still reading this drivel, and you have any questions, feel free to chime in and I'll try to give you the straight stuff.

OJudy

Fresno was my home for many years - and although it isn't high on the list of vacation destinations, it is a good place to raise a family. My children attended Clovis schools, and they were top notch. Fresno City schools, unfortunately, are another story. Really too bad and unfair to the children who must attend them. But while we are on the subject of good things about Fresno, we can't leave out the sweetest and juiciest strawberries in the world, grown by the Hmongs and other Asian minority groups that have settled in the area. That's what I miss about Fresno most of all at this time of year.

Scarlett

LOL, Bill, I really meant that as a question, not having been to Fresno or Clovis, wondering if it were a suburb. Apologies to the nice people in Fresno

I have gotten so spoiled this past year and a half with the crisp clean ( although a bit damp) air of the Pacific NorthWest..that brown air sounds so sad..
Perhaps that is why some people there, pretend to be here? lol...
lvk, I did hear that there is a good Mexican restaurant there, but the name slips my mind..if you have the energy, wander through www.Chowhound.com or www.Egullet.com..
Scarlett ~

lvk

Well, it feels like Fres..er Bakersfield here today. Ninety-five degrees and a lovely brown layer of "air" hanging over the ocean, courtesy of Santa Ana.

A rodeo sounds fun! Is there a webiste I can visit to find out if there will be a rodeo in the area?

LoveItaly

Hi lvk, here is the website which will give you the Rodeo info. Click on Schedule for the list of Rodeo's.
http://californiaprorodeo.org/

BillJ

www.clovisrodeo.com Sorry, its in April.
But, keep an eye on SaveMart Center for big events.
www.savemartcenter.com
We've got Rod Stewart, Jamie Foxx and Ricky Martin coming up. And last Christmas, Andrea Bocelli hisself. What a show!
I feel bad for you folks up in the NW. You mean you can't see what you're breathing? That's awful.
lvk: Gimme a day or two and I'll come up with some really good Mexican restaurants. There are plenty, 'cept you don't want the tacos from the burrito wagons that park around town. They give a new definition to the word "hot" and, well, if you are in SoCal, you know what I mean.

lvk

Thanks, LoveItaly and BillJ for those links.

Billj, Those "roach coaches" always seem to have the best breakfast burritos.

LoveItaly

You are sure welcome lvk. And also, I just had a thought..remembered that Fresno was suppose to have some Basque Restaurants. I went to Google and typed in Basque Restaurant, Fresno, CA and actually there are quite a few. I haven't been to Fresno for years but if a Basque Restaurant interest you that might be fun one evening. If they are like all of the ones I have been to be sure to bring an appetite!

Kal

tick... tick ...tick....and STILL no ***kim***.
I guess Fresno must be beneath her now?

:-?

LoveItaly

Hi Kal, it is amazing isn't it? Maybe ran out of town by the locals and banned from ever returning. You think??

BillJ

I don't know this ***kim***; apparently a frequent Fresno contributor. I'll try to fill in best I can.
Basque? Yes there are a couple of reported good ones, but it is not my choice for dining, nor are the neighborhoods (in which the ones I know about are located) someplace I choose to go.
Again, lvk, and anyone else. I'll try to say this with tact, so as not to offend any Chamber of Commerce types: DON'T STAY DOWNTOWN!!! GO NORTH!!
Mexican Restaurants: Impossible to name the favorites. Too many to pick from. But, lvk, if you end up staying at Marriott Courtyard at Shaw and 41 you are just around the corner from Plaza Ventana, oft mentioned fav. That place passes my chips and marguerita test.
I know, others measure by the fajitas, or burritos, or whatever. Me? Chips and margueritas is the real test. If they're good, so's everything else.
(Wow, this thread lasted a long time for one about Fresno.)
LoveItaly: You have provided me with some travel hints before, though right now I cannot place it. Perhaps Europe. Ah, well, thanks, I think. No, I'm pretty sure.

TTess

I understand there are great Basque restaurants in Bakersfield. It's June, though. Who wants to eat heavy Basque food in the San Joaquin Valley, in June, other than the Basques? Doesn't make sense. Isn't there a restaurant ***Kim*** can recommend from her own hometown? Kal, are you sitting on her fingers?

moneygirl

Summer nights in June are beautiful... warm, not too hot... if you can, try to hit Fig Garden Village and pick one of the small bistro's with a patio for a nice meal and spend some time window shopping. I much prefer that to the hustle of the (mostly) chain stores at Riverpark. The Elbow Room IS great, as mentioned by another poster, and you'll be sure to find a menu you like somewhere... the prices vary.

Also, remember you're only a short drive from Sequoia, Kins Canyon and Yosemite.. all three are easy day trips if you've bever been.

Fresno may not be the most exciting place on the planet but I still call it home after 15 years of being away!

lvk

I would love to try a Basque restaurant, but I'm not sure the rest of the party would be willing, especially if they are in a dodgy part of town.

I'll check out the Fig Garden website, also.

BillJ, do you think that the Residence Inn is too far north? The Courtyard on Shaw is better, location-wise?

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. I try to find the good in any place I visit (okay, except Orlando).

BillJ

Residence in "too far?" No I wouldn't say that. It is farther north, adding a tad to your "commute" to the convention center, but not that much. If it looks better for you, go for it. It is closer to all the other "Northern" things to do we have discussed.
Wow, another rave for the Elbow Room. I agree. Great food in a good setting at the Fig Garden Shopping Center. They have outdoor dining available.
Despite Ttess's Fresno rants, good natured as they are, June should be really nice for you.
Hope you have fun, glad I could provide a little encouragement.

Kal

There was a little bakery/coffee shop in "The Fig" that made the best muffins...???