Fig Garden Loop - Fresno, CA

Prior to the influx of gold seekers in the mid-1800s, this part of the Central Valley was populated by the Yokuts people. The local tribe got along well with the coastal Chumash people and engaged in trade with several other native communities in the region.

Fresno County was founded in 1856. City fathers named the town in commemoration of the numerous ash trees seen along nearby river banks. In 1972, the railroad came to town and Fresno began to boom.

Today, Fresno boasts the odd honor of being the only municipality in America with a landfill designated as a National Historic Landmark. The city operated the now-closed landfill from 1935 to 1989. It was the first dump in the nation to utilize innovative sanitary techniques such as trenching and daily compacting to alleviate rodent problems.

Wake up with a beautiful breakfast at Benaddiction. Locals may be familiar with their traveling gourmet food truck; the brick-and-mortar location on West Bullard Avenue is a welcomed addition to the Fig Garden area breakfast scene. Good luck choosing between nine different Benedict dishes. Give the Joker a try. It's a classic eggs Benedict on a toasted English muffin, garnished with grilled salmon, smoky bacon, avocado and Hollandaise sauce. Diana's Classic Armenian Cuisine presents authentic Persian and Armenian flavor to Fresno. Locals say it's the best place for falafel, hummus, white bean salad, lentil soup, dolma and taboulleh on the west side of town. Find Diana's on West Shaw Avenue north of Marks. For a quick lunch, call Pete's Teriyaki House, and place your order for a teriyaki bowl or to-go box of crispy fried chicken with rice. You won't have to wait in the usually crowded lunchtime line. The little restaurant at the corner of Shaw and Marks serves tasty food, but doesn't offer a lot of tables, so grab your order and picnic in nearby Lions Park.

For excellent American craft beer, drop into Eureka on North Palm Avenue. Take your time reading the menu of lunch to late-night eats that go beyond the ordinary. For a true taste sensation, dive into a juicy Fresno burger dressed with fig marmalade, crisp bacon and bitter greens. Don't forget to order a side of truffle fries. Eureka opens every day at 11 a.m. with full bar service until closing time. The Brig on North Blackstone presents a loud jukebox, inexpensive drinks and a lively crowd. If you're looking for a great dive bar on the west side, drop into the Brig any night of the week. Darts, karaoke and an outdoor smoking patio are available.

Getting around West Fresno on a bike remains relatively easy provided you stick to paved city bicycle trails. Sugar Pine Trail runs ten miles through Fresno to Clovis. Once in Clovis, the route is called the Old Town Trail. Another local favorite, the Lewis S. Easton Trail, runs parallel to Friant Road from Audubon Drive all the way to Copper River Drive. The scenic bike path is fairly flat with only a few moderate inclines.

Fresno is not served by any interstate freeway, but SR 99 connects cities up and down the Central Valley. Catch SR 41 to go south to Atascadero or north to Yosemite.

Bus service in the Fresno metro area is provided by Fresno Area Express, or FAX. All buses that travel the service's 16 routes offer wheelchair access and bicycle racks.

Several taxi companies operate in West Fresno and surrounding areas. If you require a ride, give one of them a call, because they're not always cruising for fares. You can also use your Uber app to summon a ride in and around West Fresno.

Shinzen Friendship Garden sits serenely inside Woodward Park, only a few minutes from the Fig Garden Loop neighborhood. The park-within-a-park commemorates Fresno's enduring friendship with her Sister City of Kochi, Japan. Most parks in Fresno are free, but this one's worth the small price to visit the koi pond, ume plum trees, bonzai gardens and peacocks. Woodward Park charges a $5 entry fee per vehicle; admission to Shinzen Friendship Garden is an additional $3 per person.

Figarden Loop Park sits west of the intersection of North Figarden Drive and West Sierra Avenue. The well-used neighborhood park comprises a water basin surrounded by paved walkways, a baseball diamond with a bullpen for batting practice, a lighted scoreboard and concessions stands that are open during scheduled games. The family-friendly park supplies two kiddie playgrounds, a public pavilion and restroom facilities. Admission is free, but parking can be problematic once the small lot fills up.

Basin AH1 Dog Park on West Alamo Avenue gives ample room for rambunctious off-leash activities. The free public park provides a swimming pond along with faucets and buckets for doggie drinks, but you'll want to bring your own waste baggies.

The median rent for a one-bedroom home in this part of Fresno hovers around $783 per month. Drivers pay about 5 percent more than the national average for a gallon of gasoline in Fresno. Overall, the cost of living in West Fresno remains about 8 percent lower than in the state capital of Sacramento, 180 miles to the northwest.

A one-way ride to the city center on Fresno Area Express costs $1.25, and transfers come at no additional charge.

Several bars in town offer happy hours when you can grab a cold draft for $2. Any other time, expect to pay $3 to $4.

If you're looking to buy something beautiful to wear for a special occasion, visit Little Black Dress Boutique. Don't expect to find jeans and tees at this locally owned dress shop. Little Black Dress specializes in formal wear, prom dresses, cocktail dresses and bridesmaid dresses. Find the shop on West Bullard Avenue.

When you're seeking china, crystal, fine linens, silver and other high-quality gift items, go to Holiday Boutique, staffed by The Holiday Guild, a volunteer organization founded in 1953. The boutique sells beautiful items for any occasion, and all proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital, Central California. The store also offers a personalized baby registry, a wedding registry and a "personal shopper experience" to assist with your gifting needs.

Grocers and convenience stores sit throughout the West Fresno area. Major shopping streets include Bullard and Shaw Avenues.

For an extensive selection of pet foods, produce, groceries and sundry items at discounted prices, shop at Foods Co on West Shaw Avenue. Find every ingredient you need plus large aisles, a bakery and ample off-street parking.

At The Market residents can find a huge farmers market produce section with a special focus on locally grown items. The store has a true fish market, a broad array of artisan breads, specialty cheeses and wines from around the world, including the very finest from central and northern California in addition to imported selections. International items and hard-to-find ingredients for those special recipes can also be purchased here, and there is an in-store florist as well as a well-stocked deli full of healthy choice entrees and freshly-made salads or sandwiches. You can also find or order custom-made gift baskets, and the store caters too.

Vineyard Farmers Market sets up on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons at the corner of Blackstone and Shaw. Browse locally sourced produce, and meet the farmers who grow your ingredients.

Everything sold at Rue & Gwen Gibson Farmers Market is produced by students from Fresno State University. Find a respectable range of items that include juices, jams, nuts, olive oil and fresh flowers. Support the school when you buy real food for a fair price. Gibson Farmers Market opens seven days a week. Find the market on North Chestnut Street.