Tower District
Among the shady lanes of the decades-old Tower District lie historic bungalows, quaint eateries and an active, 30-something nightlife. Residents of the Tower take advantage of the area’s eclectic concentration of antique shops, locally owned restaurants and bookstores. The tiny bulbs of light that stretch back and forth across Olive Avenue are barely visible in the dense, garden patios that bustle with the sounds of local musicians and the clink of martini glasses. On Olive Avenue, Tower Theatre, an aesthetic and historic landmark, is marked with a towering neon post and sparkling globe; the area’s first suburban theatre, the Tower Theatre was revitalized to reflect its 1930s glory and marks the center of the neighborhood with its old-fashioned marquee.
Stringent design requirements ensure that those who wish to remodel a home in the area conform to the beauty and aesthetics consistent with yesteryear. The historic neighborhood contains a wonderful mixture of home styles, a representation of the eclectic draw the Tower District is famous for: Prairie, Crafstman, Cottage and Bungalow styles; as well as revival styles like Period, Colonial, Tudor, Mission, Italian Renaissance and Neoclassical. The best of Tower neighborhoods are practically overgrown in trees and ivy--families and joggers out for morning and evening strolls are certain to appreciative in the warm Fresno heat. The Tower District remains a beautifully, modern and vibrant neighborhood among even the most youthful of admirers.
Fig Garden
The Old Fig Garden neighborhood’s dense shade and vegetation is clustered along Ashlan Avenue, and going both north and south along streets like Van Ness and Maroa. Enormous lots provide ample room, even despite the significant sized homes the area boasts. A small racquet and swim club ensure entertainment opportunities, although most of the local residents are content to do little more than walk their neighborhood at dusk, enjoying the solitude, despite its central location. Home styles are varied; large ranch homes, mission and colonial revival styles are among the most popular, but modern custom homes have filled in gaps throughout the desirable neighborhood.
Now a county island, the neighborhood is seen as one of the area’s most prestigious. During Christmas, thousands of people drive down Van Ness Avenue to enjoy the area’s best Christmas lights. The Fig Garden Homeowner’s Association pipes Christmas music from the overgrown trees and over a specified radio station for drivers; on walking nights, residents of the neighborhood host exclusive, front yard parties. The most desirable homes in Fig Garden often have amenities designed to impress: tennis courts, wine cellars, custom patios and landscaping.
Huntington Boulevard
Easily identified by the massive ivory-like plaque that flanks the beginning of the Huntington Boulevard neighborhood, the strip of massive homes are not just beautiful, but historic. Old fashioned street signs line the wide street; the historic homes’ size softened only by the trees that surround them. The area was first developed in 1910; the area is often said to boast Fresno’s best collection of bungalow and period revival homes. The street is home to the nation’s largest Christmas tree, located on Huntington Boulevard and 6th Streets. Each year, locals throughout the valley gather to enjoy the lighting of the tree, a Fresno tradition.
