Old Fig Garden is a historic, established county island in the middle of Fresno, California. It is well-known for its unique older homes and mature tree-lined streets. Many residents of this gorgeous community enjoy spending time outside walking, jogging, cycling, and chatting with their neighbors. The neighborhood is central to various amenities, including grocery stores, restaurants, and top-notch schools.
Old Fig Garden dates back to the early 1900’s so it’s no wonder that the homes in the neighborhood are full of unique character. The community is well-known for its large lots, beautiful homes, and tree-lined streets. The area gets its name from the many fig trees that were planted when the community was first developed. Back then, it was one of the first “subdivisions” in Fresno.
Old Fig is an extremely charming neighborhood with many different types of homes, from small bungalows to large estates. The yards in Old Fig are absolutely beautiful and well-maintained. Many residents take great pride in fashioning their homes in their own distinctive way. Due to the area’s unique character, properties in the area are highly sought after and can often fetch a pretty penny in real estate sales.
Many residents state that the most special thing about Old Fig Garden is its forest-like scenery. The mature, tree-lined streets are full of prestigious homes on fairly large lots. It’s a peaceful oasis sitting right in the middle of the city. Many of the residents of Old Fig take great pride in their homes, yards and the upkeep of the entire neighborhood.
Old Fig is home to many families who have lived in the neighborhood for generations. You will also find various young buyers are moving into the neighborhood and restoring many of the older homes. If you love the unique character of older homes with very strong bones, you will absolutely love this area. Every single home in Old Fig has character and individuality that is all its own!
There is a very strong sense of community in Old Fig Garden. The residents tend to communicate often and look out for one another. It isn’t uncommon to see people out walking their pets and talking with their neighbors in each other’s yards throughout the day.
There are also several community events throughout the year. The Old Fig Garden Home Tour is an extremely popular event, allowing people to tour some of the beautiful historic homes in the neighborhood. Christmas Tree Lane is also a Fresno favorite, where residents along Van Ness Avenue decorate their homes with some of the most spectacular holiday decorations you have ever seen.
If you ask local residents what they love most about the Old Fig Garden, one thing everyone seems to agree on is its historical character, friendly residents and unique tree-lined streets.
Since Old Fig Garden is centrally located, it is easily accessible and full of things to do. Here are some of our favorites:
Christmas Tree Lane is a long-standing Fresno tradition that dates back to 1920. It is a two-mile stretch of Van Ness Avenue that is decorated every holiday season. Over 250 homes participate in this popular event and over 100,000 people visit Christmas Tree Lane every December. The City of Fresno blocks off Van Ness avenue every evening and cars drive down the boulevard to enjoy the beautifully decorated homes. There are also two “walk nights” every year, allowing people to enjoy the event by foot. On both nights, you will see thousands of people walking with their children in wagons and conversing with others while they enjoy a mug of hot cocoa – it’s quite the winter event to attend!
The Fig Garden Village Shopping Center features many different stores and restaurants. It is a great place to shop or grab a bite to eat. The center has multiple retail stores ranging from boutiques to larger chains. You can find everything from clothing to home goods at Fig Garden Village. It is a favorite among neighborhood locals and people from all around Fresno alike. It has a very unique, old-town vibe.
This private club offers its members a place to swim, play tennis, and exercise. It has an Olympic-sized pool, six tennis courts, and a fully-equipped gym. There is also a cafe and massage services – the perfect way to wind down after a long day! The Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club is the great place to stay fit and socialize with locals in an exclusive environment.
This charming neighborhood nursery was established in 1922 and has become so much more since then! Although it is a top spot for locals to shop for plants and flowers, the nursery has become quite popular for its weekend food trucks, beer garden and live entertainment. It’s a favorite spot amongst locals; many residents can be seen walking to Gazebo Gardens from their homes or even cruising over on golf carts. It also has its own coffee shop called Café Van Ness, where you will see many locals conversing over a cup of coffee.
The Vineyard Farmers Market is an outdoor market that takes place every Wednesday and Saturday on the northwest corner of Blackstone and Shaw. The market has been taking place since the 1980’s and is full of local artisans and vendors selling various products made from ingredients from Fresno’s many local farms. They also host special events and festivals. The produce at this farmers market is so fresh that you will find many of the local restaurant chefs shopping here as well!
Old Fig Garden is under the jurisdiction of Fresno Unified School District, one of the best school districts in California. Fresno Unified has a superb reputation for providing students with top-notch education. From Tenaya Middle School, Fort Meer Middle School, or Wawona Middle School, there are various options for those with children.
The most popular middle school is undoubtedly Bullard Talent Project School, with a rating of 4 out of 5. Academic progress at this school has a rating of 7 out of 10, which is above average, giving them a major lead over their peers from other schools. The equity overview in this school has a rating of 6 out of 10. Low-income and underserved students are still served as well as students at other schools
Many high school students in the area attend Fresno High School. This beautiful campus is located in the nearby Fresno High neighborhood and has about 2,410 students actively enrolled. This campus is culturally diverse and is a great educational start for moving on to some of the top colleges in California.
Another popular option is Bullard High School, with a student population of approximately 2,800. Established in 1955, Bullard is an excellent school with a 97% graduation rate and an average SAT score of 1190. The cultural diversity of Bullard is very elaborate with a population of 41% Caucasian, 38% Hispanic, 13% African-American, 5% Asian, and 3% other. The school also has a very active athletics department, seeing success in softball, baseball, tennis, water polo, soccer, and volleyball. Some of the notable alumni include Lynn Williams (professional soccer player), and Joe Cooper (NFL kicker and a Super Bowl champion).
There are also many private schools in the area such as Fresno Christian Schools and Fresno Adventist Academy.
Old Fig Garden is a top-notch community that takes security and safety very seriously. Between the strong neighborhood watch program, dedicated sheriff’s department (it is a County island in the middle of the city, by the way) and private security that patrols the area, the neighborhood boasts a relatively low crime rate. The community also has a private fire station. You can rest assured that your family will be safe in Old Fig Garden.
One of the reasons why the Old Fig Garden neighborhood is so popular is because of its strong sense of community. It has become harder in today’s fast-paced world to find a centrally-located neighborhood with a small-town feel. If you’re looking for a close-knit community with beautiful homes on large lots, Old Fig Garden is a great option.
As we mentioned before, one of the best things about living in Old Fig Garden is the tree-lined streets. You will feel like you are living somewhere in the California mountains or a coastal city. With plenty of redwoods and pine trees lining the streets, you can enjoy a nicely shaded morning walk, a quick jog, or cycle. This is definitely one of the most popular Fresno neighborhoods to do so! People even drive from other parts of Fresno just to exercise in the streets of Old Fig.
Overall, Old Fig Garden is a great community to live in. The residents are extremely friendly and welcoming, the area is safe and clean, and there are plenty of amenities and activities for you to enjoy.
Get in touch with our agents at The Dehlan Group today if you are interested in exploring homes in Old Fig Garden, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed with the options!