Fresno California. Fresno is a homeless city in California. California bus route

In the western USA. The population of the city is more than half a million people, and the average age of a resident is 29 years. The city, founded by the staff of the railway organization, back in 1872, but officially this status was fixed in 1885. From the day of its formation, the population living in Fresno has been multinational - these are Chinese, Scandinavians, Germans, Armenians. Later, the migration flow of Hispanics began. In the administrative district of Fresno, agricultural labor is very developed. Grapes, tomatoes, nuts (almonds), poultry are grown here. In total, there are more than 300 agricultural crops in the district.

Climatic conditions

Winter time in Fresno is relatively mild. The temperature during the day varies between 14-15 degrees, and at night there are sometimes frosts. The average daily temperature in January is 9 degrees Celsius. Spring and autumn pass quickly, but summer is very long and hot. Droughts happen frequently.

Attractions near Fresno

The closest attractions to Fresno are: Yosemite National Parks, King's Canyon and Sequoia. Travelers love these places very much, so they often end up in Fresno.

Yosemite. The national park is always crowded. This is due to the amazing natural landscapes that have been carved by glaciers.

Sequoia, King's Canyon. These national parks are famous for their mountain ranges, deep canyons and ancient trees. The territory of the parks is occupied by green trees, granite mountains and ice age canyons. In these places is the deepest canyon in the United States. Its depth indicators are almost 2.5 kilometers. The doors of the park areas are open 24 hours a day and in all weather conditions.

In these parks you can see the oldest plants in the world - the sequoia and the tree of General Grant. Peak visits to natural areas are in July-August. Fresno has a not-so-chic reputation. And it is true. The basis of the economy: agriculture and trade. Other branches of business and production are practically not developed. The unemployment situation is tense. Approximately 10 percent of the population is experiencing employment problems, resulting in crime and drug trafficking. Another nuisance is the air quality - here it is dirty. But on the other hand, the cost of real estate is extremely low, compared with the "expensive" California. Because of this aspect, some people move to Fresno.

An additional advantage of the city is also considered a geographical factor, and the main attractions of California are just a few hours drive from the city.

Fresno city on the USA map

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Fresno is the fifth largest city in the state of California and the largest located near the ocean coast. Geographically, the city of Fresno is located in central California. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city was about 510 thousand inhabitants. The city is the administrative center of the agglomeration with a population of about 1.1 million inhabitants. Like many other cities in California, the city of Fresno is developing and growing very quickly. The pace of this development is close to the all-federal record figures. If we compare the current population of the city with 1990, this number has increased by more than a third.

Fresno was founded in 1872 by employees of the Central Pacific Railroad Company. And the official status of the city received thirteen years later in 1885. Since its foundation, the population of the city has been very heterogeneous. Here lived railway workers from China, and a large number of immigrants from Germany, and Scandinavian farmers, and immigrants from Germany, and the Japanese, and Armenians. And since the beginning of the 20th century, a significant flow of the Hispanic population from different countries has moved to these places.

Fresno is located in the heart of the vast and flat California Valley. This city differs from others in highly developed agriculture. Tomatoes, grapes and almonds are grown here. The region exports a large amount of milk and poultry meat. Good maturation of a wide variety of plants and fruits is facilitated by mineral-rich soil, a long summer period and wet, rainy winters. In total, more than 350 different crops are grown in this region.

Fresno is bordered by many national parks. These include Yosemite National Natural Park, Kings Canyon and Sequoia. All these parks have gained fame among tourists. That is why many travelers come to the city of Fresno following the path to national parks and other attractions of the Sierra Nevada region.

You can create a separate story about each of these national parks. Yosemite Park, which is located 97 km north of Fresno, is the most famous and popular of them. Throughout the year, numerous crowds of tourists come to the glacial valley of this park to see with their own eyes such natural wonders as cascades of falling water, stone towers, alpine gardens and giant sequoia groves. Compared to Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia are much quieter and less crowded. These parks border on each other, while they have a very diverse sights. In their territories are deep canyons, mountains, giant trees, deep canyons and unexplored caves.

Fresno quite rightly does not have a very good reputation. Agriculture and trade are the basis of the city's economy. Other areas and business environment are rather underdeveloped. Offers in the local labor market are very limited, and the unemployment situation is quite tense. Surrounded by mountains on all sides and located in the middle of a large plain, this city suffers from severe air and water quality problems. Fresno is the fourth most polluted city in the world, according to a recent study. And in the mid-90s of the last century, every third child here had asthma. Other negative factors are a lot of homeless people, a high level of poverty, crime and drug trafficking.

Many people are motivated to move to Fresno by the fact that the cost of living real estate here is much lower than in cities along the coast of the ocean. The city is located on a vast territory, there are many decent and safe areas. The lion's share of all the attractions of the state is just a few hours drive from the city of Fresno.

In general, this city has a peculiar inferiority complex in front of coastal California. However, for an objective assessment, it is better to compare the city of Fresno not with large Californian cities, but with those that are suitable in scale and size. Then this city can rightly be considered quite a reasonable choice for living.

Winters in Fresno are quite mild. During the day the temperature rises to 15 C, fog is not uncommon in the morning, and sometimes frosts. The average temperature in January is about 8 C. Spring and autumn are very short here. But in the long summer the weather is hot, almost without precipitation. The average temperature in July is about 28.3 C. At the same time, the humidity is low, which makes the heat tolerable.

Hello! Today I'm going to show you how to make your own itinerary in california, starting and finishing it in Los Angeles, and at the same time visit the sin city of Las Vegas in Nevada and see the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona. This will be a two-week itinerary of the main attractions of the state of California in the USA - its main tourist cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, as well as points of interest, national parks and a trip along the ocean along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway . In addition, the route includes Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, which, although they are located outside of California, are close enough to stop by and see the most interesting. And a trip to the States without these two giants of tourism would be completely different.

California itinerary (+map)

During the trip, we will visit the following places of interest in California, Nevada and Arizona:

Main cities along the route:

Roads, gas stations and parking in California:

Car rental in Los Angeles:

You can also use a special car rental search form:

Car rental in the USA: 25 tips on how to drive a car in America

• California route length- 3750 km.
• Route time- 14 days.

When is the best time to go to California? I will try to briefly answer this question. If your route includes the national parks of Northern California - Yosemite, Sequoia and Lake Tahoe - where snow lies until May, then you will need a car with chains. Some mountain roads are generally closed in winter. So end of May, beginning of June and September- the most optimal time when it is better to go to Los Angeles and travel around California.

However, you can visit Lake Tahoe in winter, as well as the San Bernandino Mountains and Big Bear Lake if you are interested in ski resorts. By the way, winter is the best time to visit Death Valley, from October to April, when it is not as unbearably hot there as in summer.

Transportation for traveling in California

A 4WD car will be a good friend if you are going to explore Death Valley (for example, go to the Racetrack). If you travel in winter and want to visit the mountainous areas of California - Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, you will also need a four-wheel drive car with chains on wheels to drive safely on snowy roads and mountain passes. Consider these nuances when booking a car.

• As I said, it is better to compare car prices and book a car for a trip here ( link).

Route in California - all the sights on the map:

California bus route

Helpful advice: If you do not drive a car, then a successful route through the main cities of California - Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego can be built without renting a car, especially if you do not travel outside the cities. Travelers without a car prefer to stop for a few days in major California cities and see their sights using public transport. In this case, the car may not really be needed.

• Day 1 . Flight to Los Angeles and hotel accommodation. Read more about how to choose a hotel in Los Angeles →

Day 2-5. Visit the main attractions of Los Angeles - Universal Studios, Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier and the beaches of Venice and Disneyland.

• Day 6 Bus from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The journey takes about 9 hours. The alternative is a flight from LA to SF. Check cheap flights here →
• Day 7-8. Sightseeing in San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, tram ride, walking through the streets of the city and visiting museums, watching fur seals at Pier 39, from there you can admire the Alcatraz prison.
• Day 9 Night bus from San Francisco to Las Vegas. It is better to make a departure late in the evening of the 8th day, with an arrival in Las Vegas at 14:00 on the 9th day of travel. In total, you will spend 15-18 hours on the way, depending on the chosen bus. Schedule and flight can be selected on the Greyhound website. An alternative is a flight from SF to LV. Flights here →
• Day 10-12. Entertainment in Las Vegas: casinos, concert programs, various shows (mostly everything takes place in the evening). Walk along the Strip, dancing fountains of Bellagio, Ferris wheel, oceanarium. For the most romantic ones, you can play a wedding or renew vows.
• Day 13 Tour to the Grand Canyon. From Las Vegas, they take day trips to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (in the Grand Canyon National Park) or to the Skywalk observation deck with a glass floor, located on the land of the Hulapai Indians (Western Rim). Which is better - Southern or Western Rome - this is a question that everyone must answer for himself.
• Day 14 Return by bus from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. The trip will take about 5-7 hours, depending on the carrier company and the timing of the flight. An alternative is a flight by plane in just 1 hour.
• Day 15 Departure from Los Angeles.

What to see in San Diego? Mostly people come here for the sake of the Sea World aquarium, the world's largest zoo Zoo Safari Park, the Balboa Park amusement park and surfing. Traveling in California with children will especially appreciate this addition to the itinerary.

Detailed California itinerary by car

• Distance – 350 km
• Net travel time - 4 hours
• Nice hotel in San Luis Obispo with luxury rooms and pool Apple Farm Inn >>

The program of the first day of the trip:

Related articles: Santa Barbara And solvang

Day 2. San Luis Obispo - Monterey.

• We continue to explore the beauty of the Pacific Coast Highway (1 track). In the morning it is worth stopping by the town of Morro Bay, off the coast of which there is a sacred hill for the Chumash Indians and a rock off the coast called Morro Rock. On a foggy morning, this view is especially impressive!
• If you are traveling in the spring, then there is the opportunity to catch wild flowers in the state park Montaña de Oro.
• The next item is hurst castle. Yes exactly! There is a famous castle in California, which is located next to the town San Simeon. By the way, you can also admire the lazy fur seals basking on the shore.
• picturesque bay mcway in Julia Pfeiffer-Burns Park will surprise you with its sophistication.
• I must say that in this section of the Pacific coast is especially beautiful - you can stop anywhere and admire. This area is called Big Sur.
• Toward evening it will seem Monterey- here you can already walk around the former capital of California, as well as drive along 17 mile road among the ghostly cypresses.

Day 3. Monterey - San Francisco.

The faster you get to San Francisco in the morning, the sooner you can go to explore its sights:

• Distance – 326 km
• Travel time - 3 hours 30 minutes
• A good hotel in South Lake Tahoe with cozy rooms and a fireplace near the beach - 7 Seas Inn >>

Advice. If you are traveling in winter, then Tahoe is a great ski resort. But then do not forget about the chains for your car during the winter trip in order to successfully overcome the mountain passes. Sunset is best seen on the beach in the town of South Lake Tahoe, where you can also find a nice hotel.

Day 5. Lake Tahoe - Yosemite.

From Tahoe to National yosemite park can be reached in two ways: 1) Having traveled around the Sierra Nevada mountains from the west; 2) Traveling south from Tahoe on Route 395 and arriving in Yosemite via the famous and inspiring pass Tioga Pass. This road is more difficult, but in beauty there is little that can be compared with it. However, in winter it is closed (usually until May).

Detailed article about hotels near yosemite park

Important! By the way, at the entrance to Yosemite it will be much more profitable to buy a single ticket to all US national parks Annual Pass – America the Beautiful. The price for the most popular parks is about $25-30. If you are going to visit all five national parks presented in this route, or even more, then the annual subscription will justify itself, since its cost is 80 USD.

• Distance – 150 km
• Travel time - 2 hours 30 minutes
• A good hotel in Fresno with a garden, a swimming pool, cozy rooms with a terrace and a delicious breakfast - Garden Inn & Suites Fresno >>

Day 7 - Fresno - Sequoia - Death Valley (Olancha).

Read more:

• The first item on the seventh day will be a trip to the giant sequoias in the national park of the same name. There are quite a few trails where you can take a walk in the mountain forest, but you can limit yourself to acquaintance with the most famous giant tree - General Sherman.
• Then comes the big drive to the state park Red Rock Canyon(Red Rock Canyon), where you can see multi-colored layers of white clay, pink volcanic rock and red sandstone.
• For an overnight stay, you should choose the city of Olanche, located near the entrance to the Death Valley National Park, on road 190.

Day 8. Death Valley - Las Vegas.

Death Valley is a huge and very famous park in California, known for its extreme temperatures. In summer, you should be careful not to overheat: drink plenty of water and always wear a hat!

You can get from Death Valley to Las Vegas either through Deth Valley Junction or through Shoshone. By the way, after leaving the national park, we immediately leave the state of California and enter Nevada (do not forget to change the clock).

Day 9 - Las Vegas.

Fresno is the fifth largest city in California and the largest inland. Geographically, Fresno is located in the heart of California. The population of Fresno in 2010 is 510 thousand inhabitants. Fresno is the center of an urban agglomeration with a population of over 1.1 million. Like many cities in California, Fresno is growing rapidly, however, its growth rate is close to national records. Compared to 1990, the number of inhabitants increased by more than 1/3.

Fresno was founded by employees of the Central Pacific Railroad Company in 1872. City status received in 1885. From the very beginning Fresno's population was very diverse: railroad workers from China, Scandinavian farmers, immigrants from Germany, Japanese, Armenians. Since the beginning of the 20th century, there has been a large influx of Hispanic population.

The racial composition of Fresno's population as of 2010:

White - 30.0%
- Asians - 12.3%
- African Americans - 7.7%
- mixed races - 2.1%
- Indians - 0.6%
- Hispanics of any race make up 46.9% of the population

Fresno is a very "young" city - the average age of a resident is 29.3 years. Hispanics are projected to make up 60% of the population by 2020.

Socio-economic indicators of Fresno:

Average income per person (for 2009) - $19407
- population living below the poverty line (for 2009) - 22.7%
- unemployment in the region (as of March 2012) - 16.4% - one of the highest rates among large cities.
- cost of living index (as of March 2012) - 93.5 - this is 6% below the US average, which is not typical for "expensive" California.

Fresno is located in the vast and flat California Central Valley. The administrative district of Fresno is located in the very center of this valley and is distinguished by developed agriculture (grapes, almonds, poultry, milk, tomatoes). Long summers and wet winters, combined with mineral-rich soil, promote the maturation of a wide variety of plants and fruits. In total, more than 350 agricultural crops are produced in the region. A car, as in most cities in the California Valley, is pretty much a necessity.

Attractions near Fresno

Fresno is the closest major city to Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park. Parks are extremely popular with tourists, which is why many find themselves in the city of Fresno passing through on the way to them or other attractions of the Sierra Nevada.

Each of the national parks deserves a separate story. Yosemite, located north of Fresno (97 km) is the most famous of them. All year round, crowds of tourists arrive in Yosemite's glacial valley to see the wonders of nature: stone towers, cascades of falling water, alpine gardens, giant sequoia groves. Compared to Yosemite, Kings Canyon (97 km east of Fresno) and Sequoia (121 km) are much quieter. These parks adjoin side by side to each other and are very diverse. On their territory there are mountains, deep canyons, caves and giant trees.

Fresno doesn't have a very good reputation. This is partly true. The basis of the economy: agriculture, trade. Other industries and businesses are underdeveloped. Offers on the labor market are limited, the situation with unemployment is very tense. Situated in the middle of a plain surrounded by mountains, Fresno is experiencing air quality issues. According to a recent study, Fresno is ranked 4th in the list of cities with the most polluted air. In the mid-1990s, one in three children in the region had asthma. Other negative factors: a high level of poverty, many homeless people, problems with crime, drugs.

On the other hand, the cost of living and the price/rent of real estate are less than those near the ocean. This is what drives people to move to Fresno. The city is spread over a large area, there are many decent areas. Most California attractions are within hours of Fresno.

In general, you can say that Fresno has an inferiority complex in relation to coastal California. But for objectivity, it is advisable to compare Fresno not with large Californian neighbors or other large cities of the country, but with those comparable in size and scale. Then Fresno would seem like a smart choice to live in.

Winters in Fresno are mild. Daytime temperatures rise to 15 C, often in the morning fog, and sometimes frost. The average daily temperature in January is 8.8 C. The spring and autumn seasons are short. But the summer is long and very hot, with almost no precipitation. The average daily temperature in July is 28.3 C, during the daytime the temperature often exceeds 35 C. At the same time, the humidity is low, which makes the heat more bearable. The average annual rainfall is only 284 mm and most of it falls in winter.

Today I visited the city of the homeless, where I found about a thousand Californian homeless people living in conditions of impressive poverty, crime and devastation.

According to official statistics, this city ranks first in the concentration of the poorest residents in the entire country.

If you drive from Los Angeles on the 99th north, immediately after Bakersfield is the town of Fresno with a population of 450 thousand. According to the Brookings Research Institute, this settlement ranks first in the United States in terms of the concentration of the poor.

A survey of specialists reports that 43.5% of the inhabitants of this region live below the poverty line. In American terms, this means that the family income does not exceed 20 thousand dollars a year. But believe me, these people earn even less, although many of them manage to spend $ 50-100 a day on drugs and alcohol.

Here it is, the American dream - to live on the street and be the owner of a pack of purebred dogs!

According to the calculations of the aforementioned think tank, in terms of their poverty, the inhabitants of this city outstripped even the Negro areas of New Orleans.

Most California rogues live right on the street, putting up a makeshift shed or tent right on the sidewalk.

Many of these homeless people are provided with affordable housing, medicines and basic commodities by the city authorities. In just a year, the city's budget becomes poorer by $19 million due to the cost of arranging poor Americans.

Almost all homeless people diligently dodge the camera, afraid to get into the lens.

Royal Espress, yes..

Drug addiction, prostitution and sheer crime are in the order of things here.

The man struck me on the spot with his erudition: he knows who Putin is!

Recently, Men's Health magazine announced that Fresno is the most drinking city in the United States. According to statistics, the largest number of Americans suffering from liver diseases live here.

The city also accounts for the highest number of driving deaths and drunk driving arrests.

But alcohol is not the region's biggest problem. The fact is that the route of Mexican drug trafficking to North America mainly passes through the 99th freeway, so you can buy a dose of marijuana here for as little as five bucks.

In addition, local police and drug enforcement are increasingly discovering entire fields planted with marijuana, even in nearby national parks.

Often there are arrests of clandestine amphetamine manufacturers. The city has already been declared the amphetamine capital of the United States. For example, the other day, one woman sent her entire family to the next world because of a dose of crack.

Despite the extreme poverty, a kind of church was built here by the most religious homeless, where every Sunday those who wish to listen to a sermon gather.

"Jesus saves!" - it is written on the poster, and all around - mountains of garbage, unbearably stinks of urine and the cloying smell of marijuana.

"Don't judge..." is the favorite verse of homeless Dave, who proclaimed himself the pastor of this homeless church.

And here are the services of this church. On Sunday morning, when crossing Highway 41 on the 99th, slow down a little - people are praying below!

How do local residents tolerate such a cesspool under their windows, you ask? From time to time, the city police, of course, chases these bums,

But some public organizations daily feed the crowds of the unemployed and supply them with food and clothing. The only thing these homeless people need is five cans of beer, crack and cigarettes. This can be shot at the nearest intersection. Or steal. Or earn money through prostitution.

See the glass tube in this woman's hands? And a gas burner on the ground? She doesn't even hide that she smokes crack.

It is said that in the last couple of months, due to the cold weather in California, three people have died in this refuge. They did not see Russian frosts ..

For ten years, the city authorities have been fighting against the illegal settlement, the police waved their hand at them, arranging rare raids as a go-ahead. The prohibition of drinking alcohol in public places has never been heard here. A city within a city exists practically on its own, with its tough criminal laws and concepts.

And here is the local stoker, where copper wire is melted.

Some homeless people collect old equipment, stolen radios, computers and hand it over for recycling. Sometimes stolen cars are taken apart. For which they receive miserable pennies.

Passing by one tent, an enormous orange slammed into my side window with a sound and a selective swearing rushed. When meeting with local philanthropists, I will definitely inform them about this incident. Let them be aware of what purposes their donations go to ..

According to the estimates of the city administration, about a thousand homeless people live here. Most of them, of course, are Mexicans and blacks.

Although sometimes there are white ones.

Only one feature is inherent in representatives of any race - unwillingness to work and a low level of development. Therefore, when the next time a black kid asks me for a change at a gas station, I will resolutely answer: "No change, sorry!"

Nearby is the headquarters of the local branch of Occupy Wall Street.

There are only a few people left in the camp of political homeless people who have been defending their civil rights and protesting against the greed of American bankers for four months now.

As one of the organizers of the protest told me, the movement managed to win two lawsuits against the eviction of the camp from the square, which is located directly in front of the local courthouse.