Woodward Park - Fresno, CA

In 1871, a scout for the Central Pacific Railroad discovered a dry, somewhat barren prairie. In the middle of the harsh and sandy plains, a farmer's wheat field bloomed, adding a velvety patch of green to the landscape. The scout decided this was the ideal location for a railroad town. That patch of land would soon become Fresno. As one of the earliest towns in the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno acted as a model for the towns that would soon follow. In 1874, the town became the county seat, and in 1885 it incorporated. The wheat field was a sign of things to come -- Fresno quickly became an agricultural hub, and is still ranked number one in the country for agricultural production.

Delve deeper into the past and explore the buffet of local cultures at one of Fresno's museums or historical sites. Enjoy a wine tasting at the Victorian-era Meux Home Museum, located in the heart of Fresno, about 10 minutes away from Woodward Park. A little closer to home, expand your cultural awareness with the beautiful exhibits at the Fresno Art Museum. The volunteer-run Fresno Arts Community also hosts regular events, shows and workshops in venues throughout the community.

Scattered thickly around the busy edges of the neighborhood, a wide range of restaurants tempt the residents of Woodward Park. Watch the game with an all-day happy hour on Sundays and Mondays at Papi's Mex Grill. Try the macho tacos and relish the always-fresh salsa.

In the south, explore your sushi options along North Willow Avenue. Enjoy the tepanyaki show in the natural and earthy atmosphere at Kuni Sama, or do your taste buds a favor and indulge in the chirashi bowl with 16 pieces of beautifully made fresh sashimi on top of white rice. A few blocks away, expect quick service whether you dine in or take out at the clean and welcoming Sashimi Express. Try the teriyaki bowls and enjoy real crab in the sushi rolls.

At night, check out live music at the Starving Artists Bistro, or stand up and stretch your vocal cords at The Standard Restaurant and Lounge's popular karaoke nights. For a wild and crazy night of dancing to hits spun by the incomparable DJ Dizzi, check out Club Legends on North Maroa Avenue.

The Fresno Area Express services Woodward Park and the rest of the city with a comprehensive network of fixed bus routes and more than 100 modern, clean and green buses. Hop on the well-used route 30 from the top of Woodward Park to downtown Fresno, a 1.5-hour ride. For faster service, call for a local taxi or use your smartphone to register with Uber and request safe, reliable rides any time and from anywhere in the area.

Crossed by a thorough grid of biker-friendly roadways, Fresno welcomes cyclists with open arms. In fact, nearly every road in the Woodward Park neighborhood has designated bike lanes to promote biker safety. Although restaurants, bars and shops spread throughout the neighborhood, a lack of truly walkable areas in Woodward Park means that most errands require a car or some other form of transport.

Enjoy convenient proximity to State Highway 41 on the west border of the neighborhood, which connects Woodward Park directly to downtown Fresno. The downtown area has approximately 2,000 metered parking spaces available which cost 75 cents per hour during the week. Meters are free after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends. Consider buying a prepaid meter Smartcard to purchase and store meter time in advance.

The namesake park of the neighborhood constitutes an amazing 300 acres of refreshing green space. Visitors to Woodward Park pay a $5 vehicle-entrance fee and enjoy many different amenities in the largest regional park in the Central Valley.

Take your binoculars and your bird-enthusiast friends to the southeast corner of the park, which harbors numerous bird species. Bring your picnic supplies and let the kids explore three unique playgrounds, or spend a peaceful morning in the authentic Japanese garden. Take a canoe out onto the lake, unleash your dog in the fenced-in dog park or wander through 5 miles of wild multipurpose trails. Come back to enjoy a regular concert series in the multi-use amphitheater, which seats more than 2,500 people.

Locals enjoy the more intimate 6 acres of Todd Beamer Park as well. Kids escape the sun in shaded play areas, while your dog can romp in the dog park. Bring your wheels to the skate park, cool off with some cold water in the splash park or get in shape on the fitness course.

Living in one of Fresno's more expensive neighborhoods means residents of Woodward Park pay a cost of living 35 percent higher than the city's average. Rent a one-bedroom residence for an average of $915 in this neighborhood. Ride to city center for $1.25 via Fresno Area Express, and pay $5 for a beer at a local pub. Neighborhood gas prices run about nine percent higher than the national average.

The popular River Park Shopping Center, located near Yosemite Highway, provides a combination of chain department stores and independent shops. After a long day of shopping, don't forget to grab a bite at one of the great restaurants, or catch a movie at the theater. Explore the rest of Woodward Park to find more independent boutiques and specialty stores.

Jay's Specialty Ice Cream's gourmet ice-cream truck serves up its scrumptious, hand-crafted ice cream in hard-to-find flavors. Jay's will even make a custom order of premium ice cream, gelato, sherbet or sorbet for your event or establishment, using only high-quality, natural ingredients. Their motto is: "If you can imagine it we can create it."

For prom, formal, bridesmaid and special-occasion dresses, look no further than the casual and welcoming atmosphere of Little Black Dress, a boutique which delivers both outstanding service and beautiful dresses in the latest styles for an amazingly low price.

To the west, find your new favorite pair of jeans from the ever-changing selection at She She Women's Boutique. Check out the best of New York and Los Angeles fashion in this stylish and chic store. Neighborhood grocery stores include Vons, a Southern California staple, and Food 4 Less. About a mile west of Woodward Park, locals enjoy a year-round farmers market, with more than 70 vendors, at the Park Place shopping center, which has plenty of free parking.