The 8 Best Places to Live in Fresno, California

Nestled between the farmland of California’s Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Fresno is an ideal place to call home. With National Parks and state forests just short drives away, Fresno offers residents a great home base with ample opportunities for outdoor adventure. Get acquainted with the best places to live in Fresno to pick the one that works best for you.

1. Central Fresno

Best neighborhood for affordable rent and walkability

Central Fresno, or downtown Fresno, is the city center. This area contains large commercial buildings and a lively restaurant and bar scene. Many residents of Central Fresno rely on public transportation or walking to get around the city. You can walk to great entertainment attractions like the Meux Home Museum and Arte America’s Collections. Central Fresno is also near the Mural District, which is excellent for getting a dose of art.

Central Fresno is home to Fresno Pacific University and Fresno City College, making this a popular area for students. College students often frequent local restaurants and bars on the weekends.

Central Fresno has a higher crime rate than nearby neighborhoods, meaning some people prefer to choose rentals with security or located in gated communities. As a result, many families many not decide to select Central Fresno as their home.

2. Clovis

Best neighborhood for those who want a small-town feel

Even though it’s technically its own city, Clovis is just a few minutes outside Fresno city limits. Its quaint yet bustling downtown, called Old Town, features antique shops, restaurants, boutiques, and cafes. Here, the city hosts wine walks, beer crawls, antique fairs, and farmers markets throughout the year, so there’s always something to do. 

Check out Blast & Brew for beers and pizza, or grab drinks and head to dinner at House of JuJu, a local favorite. You’ll need a car in Clovis, about 15 to 20 minutes from Fresno’s city center. Clovis is one of the best neighborhoods in Fresno, CA (California), when you want a small-town feel.

3. Cultural Arts District

Best neighborhood for arts and culture

You’ll find the trendy Cultural Arts District between the Tower District and downtown. Formerly known as the Mural District, this neighborhood is the city’s cultural lifeblood. You’ll find live performance venues like the Rainbow Ballroom and Warnors Theatre. 

What the neighborhood is known for, though, is its impressive collection of murals on building walls, which are reason enough to move to Fresno. Check out all the murals on the first and third Thursday of each month when the Fresno Arts Council hosts its bimonthly ArtHop in this hood. The Historic Fresno Picture Wall is around the corner, as are plenty of restaurants and bars in the neighboring city center.

4. McLane

Best neighborhood for young professionals

McLane is a great compromise when you want to be close to downtown but far enough away to enjoy a quiet place to live. Many people residing in McLane work downtown and commute daily. The great part about McLane is that you don’t have to travel too far to enjoy the arts and entertainment. McLane is home to the Fresno Art Museum and the Fresno Discovery Center.

The neighborhood is also home to Melody Park and Basin V Park, perfect for enjoying California’s sunshine. McLane also offers a diverse community with a mix of business professionals and those balancing a career and a growing family. The highly-rated public schools make up for the higher rent prices found in McLane.

5. Old Fig Garden

Best neighborhood for young families

This charming Fresno neighborhood, Old Fig Garden, features some of the oldest homes in the city. Big cedar trees and plenty of greenery surround the vintage houses dating to the early 1900s. You’ll find residents walking dogs, biking around, or going for walks in this beautiful neighborhood. 

Every year, Old Fig Garden decorates “Christmas Tree Lane,” one of the country’s longest-running events of its kind. Join in on the fun and check out the lights and decorations during Christmas this year.

6. Sunnyside

Best neighborhood for affluent families

Sunnyside sits on the southeast part of Fresno, but it feels like it’s miles away to some. This area is popular among growing families for its suburban feel. The city is small and quiet, and traffic isn’t common. Sunnyside is home to less than 5,000 people. You can usually get a table at the best restaurants or tickets to upcoming events.

The neighborhood also boasts an affordable cost of living compared to some of the state’s larger cities, meaning many of its residents own their homes. The schools in Sunnyside are also highly rated, another reason the neighborhood is so appealing to families. The Sunnyside Country Club is where many residents come together on the weekends to enjoy dinner or improve their golf game.

7. Tower District

Best neighborhood for a lively nightlife

If you’re looking for a place in the center of the action, the Tower District is it! This neighborhood is where Fresno residents go out for a night on the town, and it’s easy to see why. Tower Theatre hosts a variety of shows, from country artists to comedy sketches. You won’t have to drive to see some of the best performances in the city, and the bars, restaurants, shops, record stores, and cafes along East Olive Street make this district that much more desirable. 

Fresno City College is only a few blocks north, making this a fun spot for community college students to call home. Best of all, it’s just 2 miles from downtown, and you’ll have access to all the amenities within a 10-minute drive.

8. Woodward Park

Best neighborhood for families who want space

Outdoor enthusiasts will never get bored in this Fresno neighborhood. The crown jewel, Woodward Park, boasts plenty of things to do for residents in this hood. Start by strolling through the 300 acres of green space. On your walk, you’ll notice the park’s three small ponds, seven picnic areas, and more than 5 miles of trails weaving throughout the park. 

In addition, the park also boasts an amphitheater that seats up to 2,500 people, a disc golf course, a dog park, BMX and mountain bike course, and the beautiful Shinzen Japanese Gardens. Since this neighborhood is north of central Fresno, you’ll want a car to get around.

These are some of the best places to live in Fresno. Fresno neighborhoods are unique, and there’s certainly one perfect for you. Find your new home or apartment in one of these neighborhoods, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying all that Fresno has to offer.