- HISTORIC LANDMARK NO. 916
Visitors will learn the history of Baldassare Forestiere and his underground home, gardens, and creations! This is a walking tour through underground passageways, rooms, and courtyards. Guests will be walking on earthen terrain and should dress accordingly.
- 1 Hour
- All Ages
See the beauty of Forestiere Underground Gardens!
Take an hour-long guided walking tour through Baldassare Forestiere’s creation.
-
See a hand-built network of underground rooms, courtyards, and passageways reminiscent of the ancient catacombs.
-
Unique fruit-producing trees, shrubs, and vines growing underground — some over 90 years old!
-
Ancient Roman architecture: arches, vaults, and stone-built walls.
-
Underground micro-climates — temperature variations of 10 to 20 degrees!
-
Underground home of Sicilian visionary and self-taught artist/builder Baldassare Forestiere.
In the early 1900s, Sicilian immigrant, citrus grower and visionary Baldassare Forestiere began turning what was useless farmland into a vast network of rooms, tunnels and courtyards as a subterranean escape from the sweltering Central Valley summer heat.
Using only shovels, picks and other hand tools, Baldassare was inspired to excavate for forty years, going as deep as 25 feet underground and spanning over 10 acres. He grew fruit trees and grapevines underground — many of which are still thriving today!
Today, guests from around the world tour through his grottos, passageways and underground homes at his underground gardens in Fresno. Although he never officially opened the Mediterranean resort of his dreams, we think Baldassare would be thrilled by all of the guests marveling at his life’s work today and finding inspiration underground.
Why our visitors love us!
"I had such a great time visiting the Forestiere Underground Gardens. The only tricky part was finding the entrance because of some construction, but parking was super easy — free street parking right out front. We bought our tickets when we arrived, and they do offer a military discount, which was nice. The tour itself was about 45 minutes to an hour. It’s a small group tour; for us, it was just my friend, myself, and one other person, which made it feel more personal and easier to enjoy. Since it is an underground garden, some of the spaces are a bit smaller, so the small group size definitely helps. There are bathrooms available, and it was a little chilly underground, so I’d recommend bringing something cozy to stay warm. Overall, it was a beautiful and really unique experience. I definitely recommend going — and I’ll be going back again!"
– lisette pedraza • Google
"My last visit was in 1981 and our tour on October 23, 2025 was very enjoyable. So fascinating to see and learn about. We purchased a few limes and pomegranates at the gift shop. Tour lasted an hour and was extremely informative. Parking was alongside near the hotel. Will definitely return again in the future."
– JOSEPH LEONGUERRERO • Google
"We took our 8-year-old son and granddaughter to the Forestiere Underground Gardens, and it was such a fascinating experience! It truly feels like stepping back in time. The craftsmanship and creativity are unbelievable — it’s amazing what one person with a vision and determination can accomplish. Even though it was a hot day, it was much cooler underground, which made the tour even more enjoyable. Highly recommend for families — interesting, educational, and unlike anything else!"
– Shanna Casey • Google
"Amazing! We were looking for something to do as we transition from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite and this was perfect. It’s an amazing place, with a great story of resilience. You’ll love it! Stopped at Max’s Bistro and Bar for lunch after to have an incredible Italian meal to celebrate Baldasare Forestiere heritage and creation! This was an unexpected highlight of our trip to CA."
– Martha Laning • Google
"An amazing feat of construction & artistry. The story of how one man took a bad situation and fulfilled his dream of growing citrus on an inhospitable plot of land in the most creative, artful way. Worth the tour."
– Lauri Hart • Google
"What an amazing historical sight to visit with family and friends! An amazing 1hr tour full of delight and intrigue, as you see the inside of one man's mind who knew no bounds! You may pass by it frequently on Shaw and yet it's hidden in plain sight!"
– Matthew Baca • Google
"This is an incredible place! We traveled to Fresno because we heard about it on a podcast and wanted to see it. It was totally worth the trip. Our tour guide did a great job. It is uncertain how long the family will be able to preserve this place, so if you are interested I would get it in your travel plans."
– Cayenne D. • Google
"This is Fresno's most unique attraction that draws tourists from all around the country. The underground building is a work of art created over the span of a life of the Italian immigrant Baltazar Forrestier. Every time I come here, I get inspired by this artist, although he did not consider himself that. He was ahead of his time! He created something that inspires you to be a better human being simply by observing what one man can accomplish when applying tenacity to inspiration. I highly recommend you to visit this "museum" and see if it prods you to become a better version of yourself."
– Yulia Rossignoli • Google
"Was looking for a place to stop on the way from Pinnacles to Yosemite and picked this a little at random from the map not expecting much. I thought it would be just a quirky thing that would be entertaining for five minutes but it far exceeded that. The story shared over the course of the tour is really incredible and inspiring. Loved it!"
– Sam Lee • Google
"100% recommend doing the tour! We visited about a week before they closed for the season, and it was absolutely worth it. The tour was fascinating, the history is incredible, and the underground spaces are unlike anything I’ve seen before. I would definitely come back again in the summer just to experience the difference in temperature and see the gardens during a different time of year. If you’re in Fresno or passing through, this is a must-see stop.
– Lauri Hart • Google