The Shinzen Friendship Garden is a traditional northwestern American Japanese Garden located in Woodward Park, Fresno, California. The Garden was constructed to honor Fresno’s Sister City, Kochi, Japan, celebrating the spirit of understanding and promoting educational and cultural awareness. We continue to be a part of the Sister City organization and appreciate the support Kochi has provided to Shinzen since our incorporation and dedication in 1981.

The beauty, grace and serenity of Japanese design is present in the use of varied plant material, rocks and stones, and water throughout the five acre garden. Shinzen is designed around the four seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter; granite markers identify each section.

The Garden is in partnership with the City of Fresno and the Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Service Department.

For more information about the garden, you can visit their website. 

Warnors Center for the Performing Arts

Contact: (559) 650-1154

Location: 1400 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721

Warnors is a 503(c)(3) nonprofit and registered National Historic Landmark built by Alexander Pantages, located in Downtown Fresno. It was originally built in 1928 to house vaudeville acts, but shortly after opening transitioned to playing silent films. Today we’re known for our Classic Film Series and many cultural events including Mexican folkloric dance performances and Punjabi concerts.

In 1929 this Pantages Theater was purchased by Warner Brothers, and its name changed to “Warner’s Theatre.” Fresno thus became the second West Coast city to have a Warner Brother’s motion picture theater. The theater was used primarily for silent movies until “talkies” came out in the 1930’s.

The Robert Morton Organ Company was a producer of theater pipe organs and church organs located in Van Nuys, California. Known for their huge sound and high quality, the company’s hay-day was in the late 1920s, the era of the lavish movie palace theaters exhibiting silent films. Today, there are only 21 of these beautiful organs in use at theaters across the country, so their organ is quite rare in that it was created for this theatre, has never left this theatre, and is still fully functional.

Many long time Fresno residents may remember coming to see Cinerama films in the theatre in the 60’s, or attending large concerts during the time that Frank Caglia owned the facility. Mr. Frank Caglia purchased the theater and renamed it Warnors (for copyright purposes) in 1973. He claims he bought the organ, and the building just happened to surround it. Since that time, the Caglia’s have sought to preserve this theatre in its original state. 

A new generation of community members, students, volunteers, patrons, and donors have fallen in love with this Historic Icon. We hope you will enjoy your time here, and that it has left an impression on you as well. 

Follow them on social media to learn more. 

Project Survival Cat Haven

Founded in 1993 with the purchase of 100 scenic acres just west of King’s Canyon National Park the Cat Haven offers guided tours of some of the rarest cats in the world. It also promotes grass-root level support for range country conservation through Project Survival, a 501 (c) (3) organization.

Project Survival's Cat Haven is set in 100 scenic acres on the edge of the Sequoia National Forest, 15 miles west of King's Canyon National Park, California. Visitors enjoy an hour long educational walk along a ¼ mile wooded trail in the company of a trained tour guide. It is an opportunity to visit, photograph and learn about some of the rarest and most beautiful animals in the world. School groups are particularly welcome.

Project Survival, Cat Conservation Group, is dedicated to helping researchers and conservationists in their efforts to study and protect wild cats. Its goal is to engage the support of like-minded individuals, though education, and channel it directly to specific projects. While focusing on North, Central and South America, Project Survival intends to assist individuals around the world.

For more information about the Cat Haven, you can visit their website. 

What is your favorite local spot to play tourist? Let us know by contacting us.