Fresno is closeby to two beautiful national Parks, Yosemite and Sequoia. This would give you numerous opportunities for hiking. If you like snow skiing, then it's possible at Badger Pass at Yosemite. The season should last until the end of March. If you don't like it then you might enjoy learning.

Have a look at the sports schedule for Cal State Fresno Univesity(www.gobulldogs.cstv.gov). It's the end of basketball season, but baseball is starting up. I believe that it's too early for the local city baseball team(Gizzlies) schedule.

The problem with March is that it is still a little chilly in the mountain areas where the lakes are and too cold for things other than fishing.

What you might want to do is take a trip to the Coast around Paso Robles, then maybe visit Hearst CAstle. Also, you might want to take a drive South to 6 Flags Magic Mountain Amusement Park in Valencia(3 hrs) for the the thrill rides.

Hope that this gets you started.

Hi rattys6-

Although I now live in Los Angeles, I was a long-time Fresno resident growing up, and still get out there quite often to visit with family and friends in the area.

As the other respondent noted, Fresno will still be rather cold in March (although I imagine you're used to foggy/cold weather in the UK?) and it will still be too early in the year for outdoor water sports. During the summer months there are several waterslide parks that are quite popular because of how hot it gets in Fresno, but those parks do not open until June or so. There are also many lakes nearby, as you noted, but those areas do not become popular until the summer, and that is when jetski rentals become available.

There are several downhill snow ski areas close to Fresno, however: Badger Pass in Yosemite, as was previously noted, and also Sierra Summit, which is only about an hour away, and passes several charming mountain communities on the drive including Shaver Lake. If your family does not ski or snowboard, there are also many snowplay areas in the mountains that allow sledding, snowman building, etc.

The Fresno State Bulldogs play many different sports and you can get tickets for most local games. The football season is the most popular, but the season has ended for this year. There is also a local baseball team, the Grizzlies, and I think the spring season begins around March or April - you could check online.

As Fresno has grown, so too has its population, and the city recently built The Save Mart Center at Fresno State, where some of the biggest acts in music and show business frequently include a Fresno stop. Recent visitors have included some of the top comedians, as well as superstars like Madonna.

The best thing about Fresno is certainly its central location in the state. Skiing is close by, as I mentioned already, but you can also visit the coastal regions -- San Francisco, the central coast and Los Angeles are all about three hours away. Sacramento, the state's capital is three hours north, although there is not much tourist activity available there.

If your family has not visited the state extensively before, I highly recommend Yosemite, as was mentioned earlier, as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. I would also recommend checking out The Fresno Bee (http://www.thefresnobee.com) which maintains a calendar section, and will probably have a lot of events happening this spring that your family may enjoy.

Best of luck on your visit!

-- Mike

Let me add a few specifics.

Late March in Fresno is past the cold and fog but is part of what we call the rainy season. Avg high temperatures are about 68F. Rain totals about 2.5 inches during the month of March, not much but 25% of our annual total.

Some things to do:

March is too early for the Fresno Grizzlies baseball team, their season starts in April. But Fresno State does have a few baseball and softball games at home in March.

…cstv.com/sports/…fres-m-basebl-sched.html

…cstv.com/sports/…fres-w-softbl-sched.html

Fresno Falcons hockey is going on at the Save Mart Center. That arena also hosts many shows and concerts as mentioned before so keep checking this calendar.

www.savemartcenter.com/index.php…

The Fresno Convention Center (Selland Arena/Saroyan Theater) hosts live entertainment and travelling Broadway shows. Mama Mia is scheduled for mid-March.

fresnoconventioncenter.com/venues/…

The 16 year old would not be allowed (most require 18 and older, although some have a minimum age limit of 21) but the rest of the group could visit one of the casinos near Fresno. There are 5 within an hour or so drive.

There likely might still be skiing and snowboarding at Sierra Summit.

http://www.sierrasummit.com/

As I think of more I'll add it for you.

Visit Forrestierre(sp) Gardens!!! It ain't what you think.

Thanks to everyone for your quick responses.

Ricardo, we visited Yosemite on a previous trip back in May 2004, it was so amazing and the waterfalls were spectacular so we will most definitely be revisiting there again however I realise it will be too early in the year to experience the falls so think we will take advantage of the snow. We are definitely interested in the snow skiing at Badger Pass. I will also look into your idea for a trip to the coast around Paso Robles.

Mykeyhope, I have come across the Sierra Summit and Shaver Lake before when searching. The boys are all really interested in doing any of the snow sports especially snowmobiling; do you know if there is an age restriction? You also mention snow sledding, can these be hired on site?

Fresnofacts, I will certainly look into Fresno Falcons hockey as we would love to go watch this game and I will check out the website for savemartcentre.

Our trip begins when we land in LA on March 12. We are going to drive down to San Diego, visit the Zoo and do the touristy things for a couple of days. After that we will drive to Fresno to stay with our elderly relatives until March 24 when we will leave for Las Vegas, we will stay in Vegas for probably 2 nights then head back to LA to visit the theme parks and hopefully - if the weather is warm have a day relaxing on a beach before heading of back to the rain and cold in England!

It’s or days in Fresno where we are looking for ideas for places to go and things to do. I’m now thinking it would be nice to stay a night or two at one or more of the areas above. Anyone have any recommendations for accommodation that is centrally located to these areas?

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Swingcha, Forrestierre Gardens, Is this an underground garden? Do you think that this one would be suitable to take our elderly relatives along to?

With the age of your kids, if you ski, go to Sierra Summit. the crowd is younger and more local. Its closer to fresno, just over an hour, where Badger pass is over 2 hours away. You can go skiing for the day-we do it all the time. Just so you know, spring break from public schools in fresno is March 15-24. Not sure about fresno state.

Fresno State's Spring Break is the same week as the Fresno schools, March 15-24.

rattys6 sked «Forrestierre Gardens, Is this an underground garden?»

As I said, it ain't what y'think.

«Do you think that this one would be suitable to take our elderly relatives along to?»

I think they'll absolutely love it!!!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your help and ideas.

We flying our in just over a week (12/03) and so excited.

We are flying into LA and spending first night in hotel at Long Beach then following 2 days in San Diego, we have tickets to Sea World and of course the Zoo.

Then its off to Fresno where we will be staying with our relatives for next 10 days and then finishing our trip with a long drive to Las Vegas for 2 nights then final 2 nights back in LA where we plan to spend our final day at Universal Studios.

While in Fresno we are going to Yosemite, going to watch the Fresno Falcons and also taking our relatives to the underground gardens. Might go as suggested to do some snow activities as kids really want to!

Am wondering does anybody know if there is a public indoor swimming pool in Fresno?

All the outdoor pool's are closed till about May which is shame cause its warm enough before then, surely? It is for us anyhow! Mid 70's to us is hot!

Some of the places we love to eat at are Denny's for breakfast, Johnny Rockets for lunch and milk shakes mmmm, Tony Roma's for Ribs and theres a nice chinese help your self buffet but can't remember the name.

Can anyone recommend a nice Italian restaurant?