This old mailbox, a chain link fence and what appears to be a disheveled garden is all you see from the street when you first arrive.

That impression soon changes as you step inside the simple padlocked gate and escape the afternoon heat under the grape covered entryway. After a short introduction by Andre Forestiere, great nephew of the original builder Baldasare Forestiere.

Before you head down the handcut stone stairs, read the inscription of the California Historical Marker:

Forestiere Underground Gardens Here beneath the hot, arid surface of the San Joaquin Valley, Baldasare Forestiere (1879-1946) began in the early 1900's to sculpt a fantastic retreat. Excavating the hardpan by hand, he created a unique complex of underground rooms, passages and gardens which ramble throughout a ten-acre parcel. His work is being preserved as a living monument to a creative and individualistic spirit unbounded by conventionality. California registered historical landmark No. 916

From a plaque placed by the state department of parks and recreation in coorporation with the Rick Forestiere family, October 12, 1979.

I had seen a documentary or travel show featuring this place many years ago. When we told my folks it was included on our itinerary, mom tells me I had been there before: when I was 5 years old. We won't talk about how long ago that must have been.

Our walking tour through the many underground rooms took us though quiet alcoves, living, dining rooms, an underground aquarium you can walk under, gardens, kitchen, bedrooms. Standing a bit over 6 ft, my "vacation" Akubra hat saved me from a few head scuffs as some of the doorways are low.

There are citrus trees in large planters growing through well-holes in the ceiling. One could easily pick fruit from the treetops while standing at ground level. There is even a tree with 7 different kinds of citrus growing on it. Baldasare even designed them to 'self water' from available rainfall. You'll have to go see it yourself to find out exactly how he did it.

As one discovers the many adjoining rooms, hallways and alcoves, the increasing level of skill is apparent the further you travel from the original entryway and alcove. Several of the garden patios are very nice with mature trees, benches and architectural beauty.

 

Make Fresno a destination and check in on the Underground Gardens. The renovation continues and perhaps when you visit, the gardens will be sufficiently restored to provide an organic cafe and herb nursury and perhaps a romantic B&B.

http://www.undergroundgardens.com/

Hey, that one looks interesting!

Over the years, we have a developed a precise method of choosing our dinner locations while on holiday, and are rarely disappointed. Our method is simply this: its not a national chain, looks interesting from the outside, and the most important of all, the parking lot is full.

Tahoe Joe's in Fresno on Shaw Ave gets our vote for:
Best of Tour Prime Rib Dinner.

If we had more time...
Fresno abounds with historic buildings to explore and it is also the gateway to Yosemite.

http://www.co.fresno.ca.us