Very unique and unusual vintage roadside attraction. You don’t see much like this anymore, an old artifact from way back . Best tourist attraction weve come across to date in Fresno /central valley area. See full review at http://bayareabackroads.org – more to be added

A rare, unspoiled glimpse into one inspired man’s hundred year old unique vision . We were too late to take the inside tour but appreciated what we saw externally. Will return to see the full

hand-built network of underground rooms, courtyards, and passageways reminiscent of the ancient catacombs.

Unique fruit-producing trees, shrubs, and vines growing underground — some over 90 years old!
Ancient Roman architecture: arches, vaults, and stone-built walls.
Underground micro-climates — temperature variations of 10 to 20 degrees!
Underground home of Sicilian visionary and self-taught artist/builder Baldassare Forestiere.

an hour-long guided walking tour through Baldassare Forestiere’s creation.>>> https://undergroundgardens.com

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Forestiere Underground Gardens

559-271-0734 tours@undergroundgardens.com

5021 W. Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93722, US

In the early 1900s, Sicilian immigrant, citrus grower and visionary Baldassare Forestiere began turning what was useless farmland into a vast network of rooms, tunnels and courtyards as a subterranean escape from the sweltering Central Valley summer heat.

Using only shovels, picks and other hand tools, Baldassare was inspired to excavate for forty years, going as deep as 25 feet underground and spanning over 10 acres. He grew fruit trees and grapevines underground — many of which are still thriving today!

Today, guests from around the world tour through his grottos, passageways and underground homes at his underground gardens in Fresno. Although he never officially opened the Mediterranean resort of his dreams, we think Baldassare would be thrilled by all of the guests marveling at his life’s work today and finding inspiration underground.

More CENTRAL VALLEY–San Joaquin Valley

TURLOCK -going south on 99

Dust Bowl Brewery, Turlock– We don’t normally stop at breweries but this one was out of the ordinary…

THE DUST BOWL STORY

The spirit of Dust Bowl Brewing Co. was born decades ago thanks to one family’s unwavering passion for adventure and immeasurable dedication to one another.

THE TALE BEGINS BACK IN THE 1930’S

The Tate family loaded their Model A and left Oklahoma for a journey that would prove fruitful for generations to come. The Great Depression coupled with life in the Dust Bowl corridor had nearly dried up everything the Tate family had – except, of course, their thirst for success and love for each other. Determined to thrive, Grandpa Tate became a real-life hobo, riding the rails in pursuit of work and a few dollars to feed his family. Ultimately, the Tates survived and settled in California, where they raised their children to appreciate hard work, love for family, a hearty sense of humor, and a craving for new frontiers.

Perfect Timing
Fast forward to 2006 and Turlock, California, a small community located in the agriculturally rich Central Valley and home to Brett Tate, a third generation Tate family member. A retired high school teacher and coach of 20 years, Brett was cultivating a passion for brewing and searching for a way to make his dream a reality. His good fortune came in the way of the morning paper, which seemed to deliver just the news he needed.

Tucked between Sports and Weather was an article featuring a young brewer named Don Oliver, winner of the 2006 Samuel Adams Longshot Homebrew competition. Not only was Don an experienced home brewer, he shared Brett’s desire to start a brewery. Pioneers in their own right, Brett and Don came together determined to craft some of the finest brews ever to emerge from Central California.courtesy Dustbowl website