Forestiere Underground Gardens, CA

Explore the wonder of Forestiere Underground Gardens. Discover a man-made marvel & lush hidden world beneath Fresno, California

by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 8/11/2024

As you can see in these images, this part of California is desolate and the marker (State Highway 49 milepost 29.2) for the Fremont Fort marks the location where John C. Fremont built a fort to protect his gold mines. This part of California history is fascinating, click here to read the full story on Wikipedia.

Click here to read the John C. Fremont Wikipedia Page, as this person was a very successful explorer & adventurer and was intensely active in California's history.

Image Credits & More Info for Mariposa, CA

• The image of the car on the Mariposa Main Street is the property of Bobak Ha'Eri via Wikipedia Commons.
• The wider Mariposa main street image is the property of Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons using the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
• The other images (above) are the property of the Mariposa County Website.
• All other images, unless otherwise noted, are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
• Mariposa, CA Wikipedia Article:
• Mariposa, CA Google Images Set:
• Google Reviews for Mariposa, CA

There are so many amazing facts about Baldassare Forestiere and how he created this underground garden, but you have to first remember that this entire excavation was created while he wasn't at his day job. Fresno's day time temperatures are generally high, and even though his excavations took place at night, remember that he was working in the evening, tired and by himself.

The underground gardens feature nearly one hundred chambers, passageways, courts and patios. Fruit-bearing trees planted below the ground protrude through openings at ground level. Forestiere resided here, benefiting from cooler temperatures during the high heat of the California Central Valley in summer as well as warmer conditions within the ground during winter.

The dirt that Forestiere excavated was moved to create the large structure was utilized elsewhere to fill planters, create stones placed within the catacombs, and to level out other parts of the land. The pathways and rooms were constructed with various widths to help direct airflow by creating pressure as it moves through narrower portions and maintain movement as it bounces off the slants and curves of the cavernous walls. The conical skylights allow for the hot air to be pushed out more quickly and the cool air to remain below.

One interesting note to remember - Forestiere had no formal training with plants, or citrus farming or tunneling! Combine that thought with the fact that he was illiterate, so everything he learned was from "try it and see" or via discussions with other growers.

The garden's plants and trees, some of which are over 100 years old, are protected, by virtue of construction, from the frost in the winter months. Each level was planted at different times, so they bloom in succession, in order to lengthen the growing season. The garden houses a variety of fruit ranging from citrus and berries to exotic fruits like the kumquat, loquat, and jujube. The trees have been grafted to bear more than one kind of fruit, allowing for a larger variety to be grown throughout the space. Trees and vines were also planted above the dwelling, acting as insulation and forming canopies that provide protection from the elements.

The Garden Tour requires reservations, and once your group is taken inside to the shop, you will then be taken to the main ballroom where the tour guide will give you the history of Baldasare Forestiere and his amazing underground garden. The tunnel goes through his living areas and many of the plants growing areas as well. The tour & guide was very informative and you will be glad you came there.

The Forestiere Underground Garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is also registered as No. 916 on the list of California Historical Landmarks.