24 Unforgettable Fresno Day Trips to Take in 2024

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Are you looking for ideas for day trips from Fresno? I’ve got you covered.

Here in my hometown of Fresno, we have a saying that we are three hours from everything. And it’s true! Fresno is the perfect launching pad for some unforgettable day trips.

If you want to escape the daily grind, discover new landscapes, and create lasting memories, you’re in for a treat. In this guide, I compiled the 24 best things to do near Fresno for 2024, each within a three-hour or less drive time.

(For even more ideas, I’ve compiled 200 more pins on my Fresno Day Trips Map!)

From the iconic majesty of Yosemite to the chill shores of Pismo or the exquisite wine country charm of Paso Robles, these excursions promise a day of adventure, relaxation, and exploration—all while allowing you to return to the comfort of Fresno by nightfall.

Get ready to embark on a year of incredible journeys with these 24 day trips from Fresno for 2024.

24 Day Trips from Fresno CA

1. Yosemite National Park

89 Miles from Fresno | 2.25 Hour Drive

Yosemite is the top day trip from Fresno, for good reason! People come from all over the world to see this park. Our airport is even named the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

The best thing about living in Fresno is that you can complete some of the world’s most iconic hikes, like Half Dome, in just one day. No matter which hike you choose, you will want to leave early to beat the traffic into the park.

Some of my favorite Yosemite hikes are Vernal Falls, Lower Yosemite Falls, and Four Mile Hike. Tunnel View and Glacier Point are can’t-miss vistas you can drive up to. (Find an extensive list on my Day Hikes from Fresno Map.)

2. Pismo Beach

156 Miles from Fresno | 2.5 Hour Drive

From the mountains to the beach (which you can accomplish on the same day in a feat known as the California Double) Pismo is the next most popular day trip from Fresno.

Pismo is the closest beach to Fresno because it is located directly across the Central Valley.

Ride dune buggies on the Oceano Dunes, have a bonfire on the beach, take a surf lesson or just hang out by the pier. Any day in Pismo is a day well spent.

3. Shaver Lake

44 Miles from Fresno | 1 Hour Drive

Shaver Lake is such a cute mountain town with activities for any time of year, making it one of the top things to do near Fresno.

In the summer, you’ll be on the lake boating and kayaking, and in the winter, it’s the perfect place to snowshoe and cozy up in a cabin. It is also right next to China Peak Ski Resort.

4. Handcar Tours Monterey

177 Miles from Fresno | 2.5 Hour Drive

Ride an electric-assisted railbike six miles along the historic Monterey Railroad. Handcar Tours is a family-owned and operated company, and they even engineered their own bikes!

Riding on the tracks with such stunning views is a bucket list experience and one the whole family can enjoy thanks to the electric assist.

5. Sequoia National Park

85 Miles from Fresno | 2 Hour Drive

Sequoia is another one of California’s most iconic parks. Where else can you put your arms around the largest living organism in the world?

The sequoias are the largest trees in the world by volume. In addition to being home to the highest concentration of these groves, Sequoia National Park also has some diverse terrain, like glacier-carved valleys and caves.

Don’t miss Moro Rock and the Soldier’s Loop Trail.

6. Paso Robles

115 Miles from Fresno | 2 Hour Drive

When people think of California Wine Country, Napa and Sonoma come to mind first. But Paso Robles holds its own against those regions, AND it is a quick day trip from Fresno.

Daou and Hammersky are popular wineries. You can also try fun experiences like Third Wheel Tours wine tasting in a motorcycle sidecar. And no visit is complete without checking out Sensorio Field of Lights.

7. Hume Lake

67 Miles from Fresno | 1.5 Hour Drive

Hume Lake is home to a Christian Summer Camp, making it super accessible. There are kayak and paddleboard rentals right on the water, and a snack shop is also open to the public. The perfect lunch and picnic spot.

8. Castle Air Museum

69 Miles from Fresno | 1 Hour Drive

Castle Air Museum is a great day trip for families or anyone interested in the military or airplanes. You can spend a whole day wandering the airfield and looking at the restored historic aircraft ranging from WWII bombers to a retired Air Force One.

9. Mono Hot Springs

83 Miles from Fresno | 2.5 Hour Drive

The Mono Hot Springs are deep in the Sierra Nevadas and only accessible in warmer months when Kaiser Pass is open.

You’ll drive ten miles on a windy, single-lane road to reach the small resort and campground. Park in the Day Use lot and check out the map of the hot springs at the Mono Hot Springs Resort.

Wade across the river to access more than six springs with water between 100-104 degrees Fahrenheit.

10. Pinnacles National Park

150 Miles from Fresno | 2.5 Hour Drive

Pinnacles is California’s most underrated National Park, in my opinion! Hike through talus caves, over huge boulders, and see stunning vistas. The Moses Spring to Bear Gulch Reservoir is a must-hike.

11. Sycamore Mineral Springs

153 Miles from Fresno | 2.5 Hour Drive

If the wild Mono Hot Springs are too rustic for you, head to Avila and luxuriate at Sycamore Mineral Springs. You can stay at the hotel resort or purchase a day pass to soak in private outdoor tubs. The resort offers massage and hot spring packages- totally worth it!

12. Kings River Rafting

49 Miles from Fresno | 1.5 Hour Drive

Take a whitewater rafting adventure down the Class 3 King River. Kings River Expeditions typically operate from April to September, depending on the river flow. Every trip I have taken has been a fun and very safe experience with incredible views of the Sierras.

13. Point Lobos State Reserve

168 Miles from Fresno | 3 Hour Drive

Point Lobos is a gorgeous park on the Carmel coast. It has easy walking trails with stunning views.

I think it is one of the best places for wildlife watching, as you can see whales, seals, otters, owls, hawks, mule deer, and more. Make a day of it and see how many creatures you can spot with the wildlife checklist.

14. Sugar Pine Railroad

55 Miles from Fresno | 1.25 Hour Drive

Take a steam train through the Sierra National Forest, just ten minutes from the Yosemite National Park entrance. The Sugar Pine Railroad tour is one hour long, and you get to ride in an open car and get up close to the restored steam engine.

15. Covell Clydesdale Ranch

148 Miles from Fresno | 2.5 Hour Drive

If you love trail rides, don’t miss the only all-clydesdale trail ride in the US! Covell Ranch is a family-owned and operated ranch in the gorgeous rolling hills of Cambria.

Take a farm tour and see the Clydesdales and miniature donkeys that roam free on the 300-acre property. Or take a trail ride on a six-foot-tall horse! Hands down my favorite trail ride I have ever been on.

16. Moaning Caverns Adventure Park

133 Miles from Fresno | 2.5 Hour Drive

Walk down a ten-story spiral staircase into California’s largest single cave chamber. See geological wonders and feel incredibly small at Moaning Caverns Adventure Park. If you are brave, you can also take a spelunking tour further into the depths.

17. Hearst Castle

155 Miles from Fresno | 2.5 Hour Drive

Hearst Castle is a historic estate nestled on the gorgeous San Simeon coast. Take a tour of the former home of media magnate William Randolph Hearst. His extravagant and exotic taste created an eclectic property featuring authentic Greek and Egyptian art, a gold-tiled Roman bath, and an Olympic-sized outdoor pool.

18. The Lavender Garden

102 Miles from Fresno | 1.75 Hour Drive

If you have ever dreamed of walking through fields of lavender, this is a must-stop. Not only can you pick your bundle of lavender, but there’s also a pop-up shop with locally sourced goods that, you guessed it, are all made of lavender so you can remember your time here.

This little stop off the highway is a great place to take a breather (of fresh lavender) and stretch your legs. There’s a local eatery there as well – be sure to get some lavender ice cream and lavender lemonade.

19. Kings Canyon National Park

56 Miles from Fresno | 1 Hour Drive

Don’t sleep on this National Park. Although Sequoia and Yosemite tend to be more popular choices, Kings Canyon offers amazing hikes and tons of waterfalls like Grizzly Falls and Roaring River Falls.

20. Big L Ranch Blueberry Picking

65 Miles from Fresno | 1 Hour Drive

One of the best parts of living in the Central Valley is the direct access we have to all the produce grown right here. The best way to experience that is by picking your own fruit!

Big L Ranch has a beautiful property on the Kaweah River where you can pick your own blueberries. Blueberry season is typically May through July.

21. Project Survival Cat Haven

40 Miles from Fresno | 45 Minute Drive

Project Survival is a Big Cat Haven nestled in the foothills. It is different from a zoo in that the cats are raised by hand and are much more interacted with, and therefore more interactive with visitors. At almost all the enclosures, the cats came right up to the glass or wire as soon as we arrived.

Every visit also supports grassroots conservation by funding the felt needs of conservationists abroad.

22. Topgolf San Jose

166 Miles from Fresno | 2.75 Hour Drive

Even if you’re not a golfer, Topgolf is still a fun experience. I would compare it more to bowling, except it is a high-tech golf game in a huge complex with three stories of climate-controlled hitting bays. And, of course, food and drinks can be brought right to your bay.

23. Jamestown Gold Panning

115 Miles from Fresno | 2 Hour Drive

Go back in time to the California Gold Rush. California Gold Panning offers mining adventures that include sluicing and panning or a full-day dig near historic Jamestown.

24. Henry Cowell Redwood State Park

170 Miles from Fresno | 3 Hour Drive

While Redwood National Park is a bit too far from Fresno for a day trip, you can still see the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park.

The redwoods are the tallest trees in the world. Henry Cowell has a high concentration of redwood groves, and it also has easy hikes and interesting wildlife like banana slugs.

Don’t miss Redwood Grove Loop Trail.

Fresno Day Trips FAQ

If you loved this list, check out even more Fresno day trips on my Fresno & Surrounding Day Trips Map. I have over 200 pins, all under three hours from downtown Fresno.

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