Fresno: The Hidden Gem You Can’t Miss Near Sequoia & Yosemite

Yesterday I shared the incredible Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno—and you loved it! ❤️ So today, let me tell you why Fresno itself is a total hidden treasure 💎. We originally planned to visit Kings Canyon, but due to wildfires and road closures, we ended up spending a full day in Fresno—and what a wonderful surprise! The city is not only full of great food, but the people here are incredibly kind. Coming from LA, we were genuinely touched 🥹. Our first pleasant surprise was at the Hampton Inn. When we checked in, we noticed a missing bedside lamp and asked if we could switch rooms. The front desk staff—so apologetic—upgraded us to a suite for both nights since no standard rooms were available. They kept saying sorry for the “inconvenience.” Honestly, we were amazed. Are people in Central California always this nice?! 🏨✨ Dinner both nights was fantastic: J Pot Hot Pot 🍲: Delicious Taiwanese sausages, grilled green beans, and amazing grilled squid that tasted just like the street food from my childhood—only bigger and better! New City Dim Sum 🥟: All-day dim sum! Not only was the food authentic, but the service was warm and welcoming. We even met a lovely Cantonese auntie pushing the dim sum cart with a big smile—something you rarely see in LA, where servers can be… well, not always smiling 😅. We also spontaneously tried an escape room—Puzzle Effect 🧩(rated 4.9 on Google!). Unlike other escape rooms, the staff gave hints at just the right moments without us even asking. We actually escaped—which almost never happens! 😂 Overall, Fresno left us feeling relaxed and happy. We’ll definitely be stopping here again on our next trip to Yosemite! #HiddenGems #TravelDiary #Fresno #UnderratedCities #CaliforniaTravel #Yosemite #Sequoia