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Fresno County on a budget: We’re finding cheap eats and activities for $25 or less

An aerial drone image of downtown Fresno looks south on Fulton Street from Tuolumne Street. The city wants to improve infrastructure, including additional parking structures and upgraded sewer and water lines, to spur more residential development and, in turn, a more vibrant retail and leisure environment, to downtown.
An aerial drone image of downtown Fresno looks south on Fulton Street from Tuolumne Street. The city wants to improve infrastructure, including additional parking structures and upgraded sewer and water lines, to spur more residential development and, in turn, a more vibrant retail and leisure environment, to downtown. Fresno Bee file

Do you feel like it’s too expensive to have fun in Fresno?

Thanks to the rising cost of living in California, it’s becoming harder to afford anything beyond the basics of rent, groceries and utilities.

That’s why we’re launching a new project to find budget-friendly fun in Fresno County. We want to bring you along for the journey.

Since starting my job as a service journalism reporter at The Fresno Bee less than a year ago, I’ve gone mini golfing, attended concerts and even visited a couple of haunted places for Halloween.

Now I’m eager to delve deeper and learn more about the Fresno area. And I need your help.

Once a month I’ll explore Fresno County on a $25 budget and dive deep into an eatery, activity or other attraction based on your suggestions.

I’ll report back and walk you through my experience and budget, sharing tips and tricks for those who want to try out the spots, too.

Whether you’re new to Fresno County and want me to check out a place you’ve been dying to try out, or you’ve lived here all your life and are looking for new cheap eats and things to do, I want to hear from you.

Are you looking for an affordable day out? How about an inexpensive date night? Is there a favorite food spot that’s flown under the radar that you want me to go to?

Whatever your idea is, I want to hear it.

Fill out the form below or email me, Fernanda, at fgalan@fresnobee.com.

Can’t see the form? You can also find it here.

This story was originally published May 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Fernanda Galan
The Fresno Bee
Fernanda Galan covers Central Valley and California news as The Fresno Bee’s service journalism reporter. Before joining The Bee in 2024, she reported in Milwaukee, Arizona and Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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