March in Fresno
The Blossom Trail peaks, the foothills fill with wildflowers, and spring hiking is at its best.
68°F / 45°F
Mild spring weather. Comfortable all day, cool at night, occasional wind. Peak bloom on the Blossom Trail and wildflowers in the foothills.
March is the best month of the year to be outside in Fresno. The Fresno County Blossom Trail hits peak bloom, the orchards run white and pink, and the foothills fill with wildflowers after the winter rain. Highs in the upper 60s make this prime spring hiking weather before the heat arrives. The rivers run high with snowmelt and the gardens around town come into bloom.
The Blossom Trail
The Fresno County Blossom Trail is a self-guided driving loop of about 62 miles through the orchards of eastern Fresno County. The bloom runs from late February into mid March, and March is usually when the most trees are in flower at once.
Peak Bloom on the Driving Loop
The Blossom Trail loops roughly 62 miles through the orchards and farm towns southeast of Fresno around Sanger, Reedley, and Fowler. In March the almonds, plums, peaches, and other fruit trees overlap in bloom, filling the rows with white and pink. Bloom timing shifts with the weather, so check Blossom Trail updates for where the color is best.
Drive it on a clear weekday morning if you can. Weekends at peak bloom bring traffic on the narrow country roads, and the light is best early.
Reedley and the Kings River
Reedley sits along the Kings River on the Blossom Trail, southeast of Fresno. The old downtown and the river give you a place to stop and stretch between orchard stretches. The town calls itself the World's Fruit Basket, and the surrounding orchards are part of why.
Farm Stands Along the Route
The Blossom Trail passes farm stands and packing houses that sell citrus, nuts, dried fruit, and early-season produce. They make a natural stop on the drive and are cheaper than the grocery store. Hours vary by stand and season, so expect some to be closed midweek.
Wildflowers and Foothill Hikes
After a wet winter the foothills east of Fresno fill with wildflowers in March. The trails are green, the temperatures are mild, and the climbs 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 oak woodland to the river and a footbridge across it. In March the slopes are green and dotted with wildflowers and the river runs high with snowmelt. The mild weather makes the climb out far easier than in summer.
Table Mountain near Friant
Table Mountain, the volcanic mesa above Millerton Lake near Friant, is known for spring wildflowers across its grassy top in a good year. Much of the mountain is on tribal and private land, so view the bloom from public roads and the Millerton Lake area rather than trespassing. The drive up toward Friant alone shows the green hills and color.
Woodward Park
Woodward Park is the big regional park in north Fresno, with shaded paths, a bird sanctuary, and the Shinzen Japanese Garden. In March the lawns are green and the gardens come into bloom, and the loops are pleasant in mild weather. It is the easy in-town option when you do not want to drive to the foothills.
Gardens in Bloom
March is when the gardens around Fresno come into color. These are good for a mild afternoon walk and pair well with a morning on the Blossom Trail.
Shinzen Japanese Garden
The Shinzen Japanese Garden sits inside Woodward Park in north Fresno, with ponds, bridges, and a koi pond. In March the cherry and other ornamental trees bloom, which is the busiest and best time to visit. It keeps limited days and hours, so check the schedule before you go.
The garden holds a cherry blossom event in spring when the trees peak. Go on a weekday if you want the paths to yourself, since the bloom weekends draw crowds.
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. March brings out the spring blooms across the beds. It is a quiet, low-key stop for an hour outdoors.
Wild Water and Forestiere Underground Gardens
The Forestiere Underground Gardens in northwest Fresno are a network of hand-dug rooms, courtyards, and tunnels built a century ago to escape the valley heat, with citrus trees growing below ground level. March is a comfortable time to take the tour before the summer heat. Tours run on a schedule and seasonally, so check before you go.
Spring Family Outings
March weather is made for getting kids outside. The parks and the river are green, the lakes are filling, and the heat is still weeks away.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
The zoo in Roeding Park is comfortable in March, before the summer heat wears down the animals and the visitors. The African Adventure and Sea Lion Cove are the highlights, and the stingray bay is a draw for kids. A spring weekday is a good time to go before school groups and summer crowds pick up.
Millerton Lake
Millerton Lake sits behind Friant Dam about 30 minutes northeast of Fresno, and in March it is filling with snowmelt and the surrounding hills are green. It is too cool for swimming, but good for a hike, a picnic, or a look at the wildflowers and the old courthouse moved up from the original town. It is an easy half-day from the city.
Woodward Park Playgrounds
Woodward Park in north Fresno has open lawns, playgrounds, and paved paths for bikes and scooters. March weather is ideal for letting kids run before the heat sets in. There is a day-use entrance fee by vehicle, and the park is large enough for a full afternoon.
March Events
March events in Fresno move outdoors as the weather turns. The St. Patrick's celebrations and the spring season fill out the calendar.
St. Patrick's Day in the Tower District
The Tower District around the Tower Theatre is the center of St. Patrick's Day in Fresno, with the bars and restaurants on Olive Avenue running events in mid March. It is walkable and busy on the day itself. Check listings for any street closures or parades closer to the date.
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. March evenings are mild enough that the walking part is comfortable.
Old Town Clovis Events
Old Town Clovis, along Pollasky Avenue, hosts antique walks, car shows, and seasonal events through the spring. The walkable old downtown has shops and restaurants to fill out the visit. Check the Old Town Clovis calendar for what is running on a given weekend.