February in Fresno
Almond blossoms turn the orchards white and the Blossom Trail begins.
62°F / 42°F
Cool and mild with some fog. Almond blossoms appear in late February. Highs in the low 60s, lows in the low 40s.
February is when the Central Valley starts to turn. In late February the almond orchards around Fresno County bloom white and pink and the Fresno County Blossom Trail opens for the season. It is still cool, with highs in the low 60s and some lingering fog, which makes for comfortable hiking before the summer heat. Citrus is still going, the snow is still good up Highway 168, and the gardens around town start to wake up.
Blossom Trail Begins
The Fresno County Blossom Trail is a self-guided driving loop through the orchards southeast of Fresno. The almonds bloom first, usually in late February, turning the rows white and pink before the other fruit trees follow.
Almond Orchards in Bloom
The almond trees are the first to bloom on the Blossom Trail, usually in the last week or two of February. The orchards run white and pink along the country roads southeast of Fresno around Sanger, Reedley, and Fowler. Bloom timing shifts with the weather each year, so check Blossom Trail updates before you drive out.
Go on a clear, still morning. The blossoms show best in soft light, and wind or a late frost can drop the petals fast once the bloom peaks.
The Blossom Trail Route
The Blossom Trail is a marked driving loop of roughly 62 miles through the orchards and small farm towns of eastern Fresno County. In February the early bloom is starting, and the route is quiet before the March peak crowds. It passes farm stands, packing houses, and old downtowns like Reedley and Sanger.
Simonian Farms
Simonian Farms on the east side of Fresno is an easy stop near the start of the Blossom Trail. The farm stand carries late citrus, nuts, and dried fruit, and the old country store is worth a walk through. It pairs well with a drive out to see the early blossoms.
Cool-Weather Hikes
February is one of the best months to hike near Fresno. The foothills are green from winter rain, the temperatures are mild, and the trails that bake in summer are comfortable now.
San Joaquin River Gorge
About 45 minutes northeast of Fresno near Auberry, the San Joaquin River Gorge drops through green oak woodland to the river and a footbridge across it. February rain keeps the river full and the hills green. The mild weather makes the climb back out far easier than it is in summer.
Lewis S. Eaton Trail
The Eaton Trail runs along the bluffs above the San Joaquin River on the north edge of Fresno. It is paved and mostly flat, which makes it an easy walk or run on a cool February day. Start near Woodward Park and head down toward the water along the parkway.
Sycamore Island
Sycamore Island is a county-run area on the San Joaquin River northwest of Fresno, with ponds, river access, and flat trails through cottonwoods. It is quiet and green in February and good for an easy walk or some bird watching. It charges a small day-use fee and keeps limited hours, so check before you go.
Snow in the Sierra
February usually holds the deepest snow of the year up Highway 168. The ski area and the snow-play spots are about an hour to an hour and a half from Fresno, weather permitting.
China Peak Mountain Resort
China Peak is the closest downhill ski area to Fresno, about an hour and a half up Highway 168 past Shaver Lake at around 7,000 feet. February is often its best stretch of snow, with lifts, runs for all levels, and rentals running. Check the conditions report and the road status before you commit to the drive.
Chains are often required on Highway 168 above Shaver Lake in winter. Carry a set and know how to put them on before you need to.
Shaver Lake Snow Play
The area around Shaver Lake, about an hour up Highway 168 at 5,400 feet, is the closest place to sled and play in the snow without lift tickets. February usually has reliable cover, but check conditions to be sure. The town has food and gear for the day.
Sierra National Forest Snow Play
Designated snow-play areas like Tamarack sit in the Sierra National Forest near Shaver Lake and are set up for sledding. They need good snow and can require a pass on busy weekends. Check forest conditions before heading up, since a warm week can thin the cover.
Valentine's and Date Night
The Tower District is the center of Fresno's independent restaurant scene and the easy answer for a February dinner out. The gardens nearby make a good afternoon before dinner.
Tower District Restaurants
The Tower District, around the Tower Theatre on Olive Avenue, has the densest run of independent restaurants and bars in Fresno. It is the standard pick for a date night, with Italian, Thai, sushi, and small plates within a few blocks. Tables fill up around Valentine's Day, so reserve ahead.
Book the weekend before or after Valentine's Day if the night itself is full. The Tower restaurants are far easier to get into and just as good.
Shinzen Japanese Garden
The Shinzen Japanese Garden sits inside Woodward Park in north Fresno, with ponds, bridges, and a koi pond. A walk through it is a quiet afternoon outing before dinner. It keeps limited hours in winter, so check the schedule before you go.
Clovis Botanical Garden
The Clovis Botanical Garden is a small free garden in Clovis focused on plants that handle the valley climate with little water. Early-blooming plants start showing color in February. It is an easy, low-key stop for a mild afternoon walk.
February Events
February events in Fresno are a mix of indoor culture and the first signs of the spring outdoor season starting up.
ArtHop
ArtHop is the free art walk on the first Thursday of every month, centered in the Tower District and downtown. Galleries and studios open in the evening and the Tower restaurants stay busy. It pairs naturally with a Tower dinner on a cool February night.
Fresno State Basketball
Fresno State plays Mountain West basketball at the Save Mart Center on the east side of town through February. A home game is a warm, easy weeknight out late in the winter. Check the schedule for the current homestand.
Lunar New Year Celebrations
Fresno's large Hmong and Southeast Asian community marks the new year with gatherings around late January and February, including the Hmong International New Year held near the fairgrounds. Dates move with the lunar calendar and vary by community, so check local listings. The events feature food, music, and traditional dress.