Forestiere Underground Gardens

Forestiere’s Underground Gardens in Fresno, California

"Hand-carved over roughly four decades by Sicilian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere, this 10-acre subterranean complex of rooms, corridors, grottoes, patios and garden courts was excavated beginning in 1906 using only simple tools such as a pick, shovel and wheelbarrow. Situated about 20 feet below ground, the inventive design allows citrus trees and grapevines to thrive in an otherwise inhospitable Central Valley climate, producing oranges, lemons, grapefruits, kumquats, loquats, date palms and cascading wine grapes—many of which can be harvested from ground level and are sometimes sold in the gift shop. Recognized as a California Historical Landmark in 1979 and listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, the fragile, historically significant site is open to the public only via guided, hour-long tours (March–December) that involve gentle walking, with an accessible alternative route for wheelchair users; advance booking is recommended, tickets start at around $25, and same-day spots occasionally become available. Visitors are frequently astonished by the scale and ingenuity of the project, which stands as a testament to one man’s perseverance and creative problem-solving." - Iona Brannon Iona Brannon Iona Brannon is a journalist with a love for food and travel. Her work has appeared in Afar, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider, among other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines