Downtown Fresno, hemmed in by highways and lacking any large parks, isn’t glorious for running. However, if you’re staying in central Fresno and want to go for a decent run right out the door, the best bet for running is the residential streets in the Tower District and Fig Garden just north of downtown. Rather than mapping a specific route, here’s a guide to the best areas for running in central Fresno, which can be stitched together in various ways:
Downtown: Combine a route downtown incorporating the Fulton St. pedestrian mall and Courthouse Park. Then run on E. Huntington Blvd. east of Highway 41, which has a nice canopy and a grassy median for 1.5 miles east to Roosevelt High School.
Tower District. Just north of downtown, the Tower District is also known for its early twentieth century homes, many of which have been restored in recent decades. Be sure to run by the historic Tower Theater, corner of Olive & Wishon.
Fig Garden. From Fresno High School, Van Ness is a wide, graceful boulevard for 1 mile north up to W. Shields Ave. North of Shields, the Fig Garden district has quiet, shaded residential streets for running with nice homes. It’s 2.5 miles from Shields to W. Shaw Ave. (Whole Foods). Overall it’s 4.5 miles from downtown to W. Shaw Ave.
Downtown Fresno, hemmed in by highways and lacking any large parks, isn’t glorious for running. However, if you’re staying in central Fresno and want to go for a decent run right out the door, the best bet for running is the residential streets in the Tower District and Fig Garden just north of downtown. Rather than mapping a specific route, here’s a guide to the best areas for running in central Fresno, which can be stitched together in various ways:
Downtown: Combine a route downtown incorporating the Fulton St. pedestrian mall and Courthouse Park. Then run on E. Huntington Blvd. east of Highway 41, which has a nice canopy and a grassy median for 1.5 miles east to Roosevelt High School.
Tower District. Just north of downtown, the Tower District is also known for its early twentieth century homes, many of which have been restored in recent decades. Be sure to run by the historic Tower Theater, corner of Olive & Wishon.
Fig Garden. From Fresno High School, Van Ness is a wide, graceful boulevard for 1 mile north up to W. Shields Ave. North of Shields, the Fig Garden district has quiet, shaded residential streets for running with nice homes. It’s 2.5 miles from Shields to W. Shaw Ave. (Whole Foods). Overall it’s 4.5 miles from downtown to W. Shaw Ave.
This 300-acre park is of our favorite places to run in Fresno. The park is a combination of open fields and tree-shaded paths. Create your own route on the interior paths, or do a section of the 4.4 mile Lewis S. Eaton Trail or the 1.5 Thomas MacMichael Loop.
One of the best spots for an off-road run in Fresno. The 4.4 mile multi-use path runs along the south and east sections of Woodward Park along a path above the San Joaquin River, with nice water views. Connects to other trails in Woodward Park & area.
Very nice running in this planned residential community located 16 miles north of downtown Fresno at the foot of Table Mountain. 400 acres of preserved open space and 14 miles of scenic trails through open, rolling hill terrain.
Several paved multi-use paths in the city of Clovis, located 6 miles north of Fresno. The 8-mile Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail connects Fresno with Clovis. Other good options in Clovis are the 2.6-mile Dry Creek Trail and the 2.5 mile Enterprise Trail.
Excellent running in this large recreation area 20 miles north of Fresno. Beautiful open terrain with hills rising above Millerton Lake affording great views. We've created several options, from flatter roads to rolling hills to more challenging trail running.
For a gorgeous and unique running experience, hit the Fresno County Blossom Trail between mid-February and mid-March. This is a self-guided road route featuring panoramas of orchards full of fruit trees alive with fragrance and bursting with blossoms.
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