Huntington - Fresno, CA

The Yokuts were Fresno's first inhabitants, and the California gold rush brought prospectors and future residents. In 1856, Fresno expanded along the San Joaquin River, but flooding led early residents to move west of the original settlement. The Central Pacific Railroad established a link in 1872 and growth followed. The county seat moved to Fresno in 1874.

The art scene dominates this area, and numerous studios and galleries reside here. Go to the William Saroyan Theatre on M Street to see the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra perform. Tour the Meux Home Museum on R Street, or enjoy artwork at the 1821 Gallery & Studios on Calaveras Street. Delight in annual events such as the Christmas Parade complete with floats, or try out the Ice Rink at Fulton Mall.

Country Fare Cafe on East Belmont Avenue serves Mexican-style home cooking at good prices. Try the shredded beef machaca for a tasty treat. Stop by Oaxaca Restaurant on East Belmont to explore regional Mexican cuisine, starting with a traditional clayuda served with red mole. On East Olive Avenue, you may want to try Chopsticks. A casual interior mix of tables and booths provides a laid-back place to enjoy homemade pot stickers and multiple varieties of chow mein.

When the urge to go out at night hits you, try Club One Casino on Van Ness Avenue, off Route 41 in downtown, for an evening of food and 51 tables of poker, blackjack, and satellite gambling. For a different type of action, head out to the Full Circle Brewing Company on F Street, just down the street from the casino. Roller derby, B-movies, and live entertainment combine with handcrafted beers to provide a fun evening.

To enjoy a brew at a local spot, visit Club Brazil on Broadway. This classic bar shows sports on TV and has a small patio to allow customers to kick back outdoors. Shooters lies a short distance away, off Route 41 on East Shaw Avenue. At Shooters, you can have a beer, enjoy music, and play a game of darts. Just off Route 99, you'll find Cosmopolitan, which serves food and has a separate bar. Reggae and hip-hop music, a live DJ, and a dance floor make Mezcal Lounge, a short distance away on Van Ness Avenue, worth a visit.

State Route 99, a short distance from this south Fresno neighborhood, gives residents access to the rest of the state. The Fresno Area Express, with its green fleets, has 16 bus routes, and Routes 41 and 38 cover the south part of Fresno.

A 15-minute drive from the southern region of Fresno puts you on California State Route 41, and an hour's drive ends at Yosemite National Park. A 30-minute drive on Route 180 heads toward the California State University at Fresno. You can phone for cab service, and Uber services the area with a cab alternative. Customers arrange for an Uber pick-up using a phone app or online service.

Parks in Fresno's Huntington neighborhood allow relaxing time in the shade. Groves of trees line the perfectly landscaped Roeding Park near Belmont. Flower gardens punctuate the greenery along with eight championship tennis courts. In addition, two dance pavilions, horseshoe pits, five barbeques, a dog park, handball courts, three sheltered picnic areas, and about 70 picnic tables serve residents. The smaller Fink-White Neighborhood Center features a learner pool and a wading pool.

Dog parks in the area include Woodward, a one-acre dog paradise on Friant Road, and the Todd Beamer Dog Park on East Plymouth Way. Neilsen Park on South Fruit has basketball courts and softball and baseball fields.

Bus fares run $1.25, but do not include transfers. Seniors and the disabled ride for only 60 cents, and children under the age of six ride free. Fare boxes do not make change, so having the exact amount makes sense. Residents may purchase monthly tokens for $48.

The median price for a one-bedroom apartment in Huntington is about $465. A typical domestic beer costs about $2.75 at a bar, and you'll pay up to $4 for imported brands. Gas prices in Fresno run 22 percent higher than the national average.

River Park Shopping Center, about nine miles north off Route 41, carries everything from high-end to lower-priced stores, and includes movie theaters and a playground for the kids. At this enormous mall located on East Paseo Del Centro, you can check out the latest fashions at Macy's, catch a film at Edwards' Theaters, and shop for new furniture at Thomasville Home Furnishings.

Specialty shops and boutiques excite with Mia Bella Couture on North Fort Washington Road, a high-end shop for dresses and bridal gowns. She She on North Fort Washington Road carries designer clothing. Check it out to find the perfect designer jeans.

You can buy groceries in bulk at Food 4 Less on North Chestnut Avenue. Be sure to check out the great deli at WinCo on South Peach, visit Costco on North Abby Street, or Sam's Club on North Blackstone Avenue. The Vineyard Farmers Market, located on the corner of Shaw and Blackstone, operates two days a week as an open-air market. Enjoy taking a stroll past all the fresh produce, nuts and dried fruits, fresh flowers, prepared dishes, and eggs.