Life in Central California
Located in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, Children’s Hospital Central California is just a few minutes north of the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area.
It’s a region that can be many things to many people. This is the home of the true outdoor enthusiast, a beautiful place that has it all– great cycling, hiking, fishing, skiing, you name it. Just to the east, towering over the Valley, stands the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain range, home to the magnificence of Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. Wake up in the morning with an urge, and you can have lunch in the shadow of Half Dome or the famous General Grant's tree - we're that close. Drive a couple of hours to the west and you’ll discover the fabled California coastline, with its stretches of beautiful beaches and quaint oceanfront communities.
Those who enjoy a more urban lifestyle will love it here as well. With a population of over one million people, the Fresno/Clovis area offers nearly all of the amenities of a big city, including fabulous fine arts, great restaurants, professional sports, a vibrant nightlife, and much more.
Our centralized location in the state also means some of the world’s most popular vacation destinations are nearby. San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Monterey, and Lake Tahoe are all just a few hours away by car. If you have almost anything you want to do today, you can get to it from here.
But perhaps most importantly, the Fresno-Clovis area is a great place to raise a family. Housing in our area is among the most affordable in the state. Many of our primary schools hold state and national recognition. We also have two accredited four-year universities–California State University, Fresno, and Fresno Pacific University. UC Merced is an hour North and UC San Francisco's medical school has a Fresno campus whose pediatric program is located at Children's. Our traffic is minimal, our neighborhoods safe, and our people are friendly.
Welcome to Central California. You’re going to love it here!
Housing
California is home to one of the top real estate markets in the country. After all, who wouldn’t want to live in a place where the sun shines nearly every day? Due to a recent shift in the housing market, now is a great time to buy a home here, especially in the Fresno-Clovis area. Fresno County is one of the most affordable places to live in California. Median home prices here average $219,000, compared to the statewide average of $318,000.
Whatever your lifestyle, Fresno County has a place for you. There’s an abundance of suburban-style homes, gated communities, country club living, urban lofts, or spacious plots of land in rural settings. Always dreamt of owning a small horse ranch? It's here waiting for you. Want an artist's loft in our cultural arts district? We've got that. How about an upgrade to a mansionette with a pool and a view of the Sierras? You'd be surprised what you can afford in our region that might have been out of reach in the nation's metropolitan centers. Here, the choice is yours. There's a reason so many people move to the Valley and commute into San Francisco.
California Median Home Prices (as of 07/08)*
- Fresno County: $219,000
- San Diego County: $370,000
- Los Angeles County: $415,000
- Sacramento County: $219,500
- San Francisco County: $760,000
- California: $318,000
*source: DQNews.com
Links
Coldwell Banker Fresno Real Estate
Realtor.com
Guarantee Fresno Real Estate
London Properties Real Estate
Education
In the Fresno-Clovis area, we take education seriously, and it shows. The Fresno Unified School District is home to a number of magnet schools with specialized curriculum including global studies, science, business, performing arts, and law. The Clovis Unified School District is consistently recognized as one of the top districts in California and in the upper echelon nationally. Cal State Fresno offers University High School, a fast-track college prep arts school.
When pursuing higher education, there’s no need to leave the Fresno area. California State University, Fresno, one of the premier campuses in the CSU system, offers undergraduate and graduate studies in a variety of disciplines. For those seeking a private education, Fresno Pacific University is the Central Valley’s only accredited Christian college. Along with these two institutions, there are also a variety of junior colleges, technical and trade schools in our area, as well as UC Merced about an hour north.
Fresno County Office of Education
School Districts
Central Unified
Clovis Unified
Fresno Unified
Colleges and Universities
California State University, Fresno
Fresno Pacific University
UC Merced
Fresno City College
State Center Community College District
San Joaquin Valley College
National University
University of Phoenix
San Joaquin College of Law
Alliant International University
ITT Technical Institute
Institute of Technology
Recreation
The Fresno-Clovis area offers an abundance of recreational activities for the entire family. From the adrenaline rush of whitewater rafting to a relaxing day with the family at our world-class zoo, you’ll find plenty to do in Central California. Below, you’ll find just a small sample of what our great Valley can offer.
For the outdoor enthusiast:
Yosemite National Park
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Kings River Expeditions
Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions
Sierra Summit Mountain Resort
Badger Pass Ski Area
Millerton Lake
Bass Lake
Shaver Lake
San Joaquin River Parkway
For the golfer:
Riverside Golf Course
Fig Garden Golf Club
Brighton Crest Golf & Country Club
Riverbend Golf Club
San Joaquin Country Club
Copper River Country Club
Belmont Country Club
For the shopper:
The Shops at River Park
Fashion Fair
Fig Garden Village
Sierra Vista Mall
For the family:
Boomers
Blackbeard’s Family Fun Center
Chaffee Zoological Gardens
Downing Planetarium
The Island Waterpark
Rotary Storyland and Playland
Wild Water Adventure Park
For a weekend getaway (with drive time from Fresno/Clovis):
Airlines at Fresno Yosemite International Airport offer quick flights to places like Las Vegas, making a quick getaway easy.
Culture
Those looking for a night on the town will find plenty of dining and entertainment opportunities in the Fresno-Clovis area. Excellent ethnic cuisine abounds, thanks to our diverse population of over 90 different nationalities. After you eat, you can check out a concert, visit a museum, go to a game, or relax at a local lounge. The possibilities are endless. Take a look:
Let’s eat!
Dine Fresno’s searchable restaurant database
For the art aficiando:
Arte Americas
Fresno Art Museum
Fresno Metropolitan Museum
Fresno Art Hop
Rogue Performance Festival
On Stage:
Fresno Philharmonic
University Lecture Series
CSUF Theatre Arts
Arts & Humanities Lecture Series
Fresno Ballet
Good Company Players
Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater
Save Mart Center
Selland Arena
William Saroyan Theatre
Tower Theatre
For the sports fan:
Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Falcons
Central Valley Coyotes
Climate
California is known for its sunshine, and the Central Valley is no exception. In fact, the sun shines here 303 days a year on average. Our spring and fall seasons feature mild, comfortable temperatures. Summer days are dry and warm, with the mercury sometimes reaching the triple digits–perfect pool weather. During the winter, the Valley cools off considerably. Cool, crisp days are sometimes accompanied by the region’s signature morning fog, which typically burns off by mid-day. Valley residents find the nearby Sierras a great day trip anytime of year, as the higher elevations mean cooler temperatures during the summer and lots of snow in the winter.
Current weather in Fresno/Clovis
Fitness
Let's face it, California is full of fitness freaks. So is the health care industry. If you're in this category, you won't find a better place in the world to get and be fit than the San Joaquin Valley. Running paths that cut through urban and rural settings, combined with fairly mild weather in winter and summer, make jogging a joy. Some of the world's top cycling teams come here to train because of the varied terrain - from our flat farmlands to our rolling hills. Fitness centers abound in the region and there are no shortages of excercise partners at Children's. In fact, the Hospital prides itself in offering challenging fitness classes right here in our conference center. Zumba anyone?