Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno, California

Address: 5021 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93722, United States.
Phone: 5592710734.
Website: undergroundgardens.com
Specialties: Historical landmark, Tourist attraction.
Other points of interest: On-site services, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Assistive hearing loop, Wheelchair-accessible car park, Gender-neutral toilets, Getting tickets in advance recommended, Discounts for kids, Good for kids, Free of charge street parking.
Opinions: This company has 2517 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.8/5.

šŸ“Œ Location of Forestiere Underground Gardens

Forestiere Underground Gardens 5021 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93722, United States

ā° Open Hours of Forestiere Underground Gardens

  • Monday: 9 am–3 pm
  • Tuesday: 9 am–3 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am–3 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am–3 pm
  • Friday: 9 am–3 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am–3 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am–3 pm

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The Forestiere Underground Gardens offer a truly unique and captivating experience for visitors seeking a blend of history, horticulture, and architectural marvel. Located at 5021 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93722, United States, these subterranean gardens represent a remarkable feat of engineering and a testament to the vision of Baldassare Forestiere. A phone number for inquiries and reservations is available at 5592710734, and further details can be found on their website: undergroundgardens.com.

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A Historical and Architectural Gem

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Established in the early 20th century, the Forestiere Underground Gardens were created by Baldassare Forestiere, an Italian immigrant who, seeking to escape the intense summer heat of the Central Valley, embarked on an ambitious project to carve a network of tunnels and chambers beneath his property. Over a period of 30 years, he painstakingly excavated over 63,000 square feet of interconnected spaces, utilizing dynamite and manual labor. The gardens are a remarkable example of adaptive reuse and a fascinating illustration of resourceful design, reflecting the challenges and opportunities presented by the local environment. The gardens are considered a Historical Landmark and a prominent Tourist Attraction, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond.

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Exploring the Underground Network

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The network of tunnels and rooms is surprisingly diverse, showcasing a variety of climates and micro-environments. Visitors can explore a series of interconnected chambers, each designed to provide a cooler and more humid environment for growing plants. The tunnels themselves are adorned with intricate plasterwork and mosaics, adding to the gardens’ aesthetic appeal. Walking through these subterranean spaces provides a truly immersive experience, transporting visitors to a different world entirely. It’s a serene and contemplative environment, perfect for escaping the heat of the surface.

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Key Features and Amenities

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  • On-site Services: Guided tours are offered, providing insights into the history and construction of the gardens.
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  • Accessibility: The site boasts a Wheelchair-accessible entrance, a Wheelchair-accessible toilet, an Assistive hearing loop, and a Wheelchair-accessible car park, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity.
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  • Gender-Neutral Toilets: Modern facilities are available for all visitors.
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  • Ticketing: Getting tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak season, to ensure availability.
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  • Discounts: Discounts for kids are available, making it an affordable outing for families.
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  • Family-Friendly: The gardens are considered Good for kids, offering a unique and educational experience.
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  • Parking: Free of charge street parking is available nearby.
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The atmosphere within the gardens is notably cool and humid, offering a welcome respite from the warm Central Valley climate. It’s a place where the air is still and quiet, fostering a sense of tranquility and wonder. The careful design allows for a surprising variety of plant life to flourish in this subterranean setting.

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Visitor Recommendations

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Visitors consistently praise the unique atmosphere and historical significance of the Forestiere Underground Gardens. The experience is often described as ā€œamazingā€ and ā€œone of the bestā€ in the Central Valley. The knowledgeable tour guides, such as Kai, are frequently highlighted for their friendliness and helpfulness, greatly enhancing the visitor’s understanding of the gardens’ history. The gift shop, stocked with souvenirs like shirts, magnets, and pressed pennies, provides a tangible reminder of the visit. Many visitors recommend booking tickets in advance to secure a spot on a tour and avoid potential wait times.

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The gardens’ dedication to accessibility is also widely appreciated, with numerous visitors noting the convenience of the wheelchair-accessible features. The serene environment and the opportunity to explore a hidden world beneath the surface make it a memorable experience for all ages. The Average opinion is 4.8/5, reflecting the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from visitors. The depth of the gardens' history and the ingenuity of its creation are consistently highlighted as key factors contributing to the overall appeal.

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Important Note: Visitors are strongly advised to refrain from touching the gardens’ walls and structures. Preservation of this historical site is paramount.

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šŸ‘ Reviews of Forestiere Underground Gardens

Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno, California
Jeremy A.
5/5

This was an amazing l place to visit. It's gotta be one of the best in the central valley. My tour guide, Kai, was super friendly and helpful. The history of the gardens was super interesting (you'd have to see to know what I'm talking about), and the gift shop had shirts, magnets, pressed pennies, and all the other standard souvenirs. It's cool weather makes it the perfect place to visit!

Make sure to AVOID TOUCHING the gardens and I'd recommend getting a reservation.

Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno, California
Bass B.
5/5

What an amazing place to take your family! It’s very interesting and so much history with it. Love the environment and what Mr. Forestiere did with his bare hands. If you’re from Central Valley or not…put it on your places to go to!!!

Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno, California
Kurt R. (.
5/5

If you’re even a casual fan of naĆ­ve art and architecture, as I am, this place should be on your must-visit list. We visited on a drizzly day, and the soft light filtered through overhead grape vines and citrus tree crowns into the earthen passages and rooms made Forestiere’s creation seem all that more welcoming. It is a wonderful little oasis and a tangible expression of one man’s vision and sole handiwork. Like Bishop’s Castle in Colorado and Watts Towers in LA (built by Forestiere’s contemporary and fellow Italian immigrant Simon Riota) it will continue to inspire those who wish to create in solitary on grander scales.

Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno, California
Cayenne D.
5/5

This is an incredible place! We traveled to Fresno because we heard about it on a podcast and wanted to see it. It was totally worth the trip. Our tour guide did a great job. It is uncertain how long the family will be able to preserve this place, so if you are interested I would get it in your travel plans.

Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno, California
Dave K.
5/5

Forty years of effort did not go to waste. One can only imagine what these lovely and creative gardens would have been like if the entire 80+ acres had been constructed (instead of "only" the 22 acres that were built).

Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno, California
Glen I.
5/5

We were driving home from northern California and decided to go on 99 rather than the 5. I was looking for an activity to do and found an article that said this is a good family activity. The tour is an hour long and was very interesting. Our guide was Latieshka and she was great. You can tell she really loves the garden and her job. The story is really fascinating. I highly recommend this place if you have some time and are around or in Fresno. You might drive by this place it's very unassuming. Also you have to park on the street, you'll understand when you see the gardens.

Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno, California
Chelsea H.
5/5

An extraordinary landmark. Free street parking (the street is busy). The only way to see the inside is to pay for a guided tour (approximately 1 hr long). The tour guide was very knowledgeable and kind. There are bathrooms available at the end of the tour outside.

Forestiere Underground Gardens - Fresno, California
Sheri J.
5/5

We just finished a wonderful tour with Cindy as our tour guide! It was so beautiful and surreal being able to experience the mind of Mr. Forresterie, he left us with a gem that all should visit. We didn’t buy tickets in advance and we’re fortunate enough to get a tour within a few minutes of being there but I would recommend buying in advance just to be on the safe side.

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