A place like no other near Fresno in California
The Forestiere Underground Gardens stands as one of Fresno’s most extraordinary attractions, a sprawling network of subterranean rooms, tunnels, and courtyards hand-carved by Sicilian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere over four decades. Spread across 10 acres beneath the streets of Fresno, this underground wonder offers visitors a rare glimpse into the vision and persistence of a single remarkable individual who turned the harsh Central Valley heat into creative inspiration.
The story of Forestiere Underground Gardens begins with Baldassare Forestiere himself, born in 1879 in the small Sicilian hamlet of Filari near Rometta. Arriving in the United States in the early 1900s, Forestiere eventually made his way to Fresno, California, drawn by the promise of agricultural opportunity in the Central Valley. After purchasing land near the city, he faced two significant challenges: the punishing summer heat that exceeded 100 degrees and the hardpan soil that made traditional farming nearly impossible.
Rather than surrender to these obstacles, Forestiere began excavating downward. Inspired by the Roman catacombs and underground wine cellars of his homeland, he hand-carved a small cellar for relief from the summer heat. Finding the underground space surprisingly comfortable and functional, he expanded systematically, creating interconnected rooms, corridors, and grottoes over the next 40 years until his death in 1946.
Forestiere worked alone using hand tools and a pair of mules, moving earth section by section without any formal blueprints. He reused the excavated hardpan soil to form bricks for archways and supports, designed airflow systems using varying corridor widths and slanted walls, and engineered conical skylights that push hot air upward while keeping cool air below. The result is an ingeniously climate-controlled underground dwelling that remains comfortable year-round. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and designated California Historical Landmark No. 916 in 1978.
Visitors exploring Forestiere Underground Gardens will discover an astonishing 65 interconnected rooms spanning three depth levels, with the deepest chambers extending 23 feet below the surface. The underground complex includes a summer bedroom, a winter bedroom, a full bathroom, a functional kitchen, a fishpond, and a parlor featuring a fireplace. Interspersed among the stone walls and archways are open-air courtyards and grottoes that allow natural light to filter into the underground spaces. The skylights and catch basins built throughout the structure serve both illumination and water collection purposes.
The gardens showcase an extraordinary variety of fruit-bearing plants, some dating back to Forestiere’s original plantings. Visitors will encounter citrus trees, berry bushes, and exotic specimens including kumquat, loquat, and jujube trees. The grafting techniques Forestiere developed allow dozens of fruit varieties to thrive in the underground environment, each level of the garden blooming in succession to extend the growing season. Many of these trees are over 100 years old and have been grafted to bear multiple fruit varieties on a single trunk.
The property is operated today by members of the Forestiere family through the Forestiere Historical Center, preserving both the physical site and the remarkable legacy of its founder. Guided tours take guests through the underground passageways, rooms, and courtyards, with guides sharing stories of Forestiere’s determination and creativity. The earthen terrain requires careful footing, and visitors are advised to wear appropriate shoes. The above-ground landscape is equally fascinating, with fruit trees and vines planted as living insulation overhead, forming natural canopies that protect the subterranean spaces below.
The Forestiere Underground Gardens operates with seasonal hours, and visitors are encouraged to check the official website before planning their trip. The underground spaces maintain comfortable temperatures regardless of season, making it an excellent option for hot summer days when the Central Valley sun beats down mercilessly. Spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather for combining a visit with other Fresno-area attractions or a day trip to the nearby Sierra Nevada national parks. Weekend tours often fill quickly, so advance reservations are recommended for those planning a weekend visit during peak travel seasons.