I stopped by Fresno nursery for food trucks, live music. Here’s what I got for $25
At a vibrant outdoor spot in the Fresno High area, plant lovers mingle with music lovers.
Gazebo Gardens, 3204 North Van Ness Blvd. in Fresno, has been selling plants, trees and potting soil to local gardeners since 1922.
On select evenings, the nursery transforms into a beer garden as community members flock to listen to live music, sip beer and sample fare from local food trucks.
“If you look at a map of Fresno, this is the direct center of Fresno,” Gazebo Gardens owner Scott Miller said. “You’d have a hard time finding a spot on the map that was more of a center of Fresno than this.”
Fresno Bee reader Pete Petersen recommended that I visit Gazebo Gardens as part of On a Budget, a new monthly series where Fresno Bee reporters try reader-suggested foods, drinks and activities around Fresno County on a $25 budget.
“There’s live music, food trucks and you can enjoy a craft beer there,” said Petersen, who has lived in Fresno for more than 10 years.
“Fresno has all kinds of fun things to do,” he added. “This is a great idea to gathering information about places to go and things to do on a budget from locals and then publicizing it.”
Here’s what I discovered:
What is Gazebo Gardens in Fresno?
Location: 3204 North Van Ness Blvd. in Fresno
When I arrived at Gazebo Gardens at 6:10 p.m. on a hot, sunny Thursday, the place was already bustling with people.
Small children ran around while families lined up at the various food trucks parked at the nursery and enjoyed their meals at tables with benches scattered throughout the outdoor venue.
Some visitors posed for photos in front of the gigantic rose mural decorating the nursery.
As rock band Dean Macdonald and the Fellow Travelers took the stage, I walked around the outdoor venue, looking at all of the plants and pots the nursery has to offer and checking out the food and drink options.
During my visit, food trucks on site included Big Foot Ice Cream, Corndog Co., Hope Now, Nuovo Pizza, Tacos Jacinto and Thai This.
How I spent my $25 budget at local nursery
After debating my choices, I decided to go with Mexican food.
I headed to Tacos Jacintos food truck, which advertised authentic Mexican food including quesadillas, tacos, tortas and mulitas, featuring two corn tortillas filled with cheese, meat and other toppings.
I ordered three carne asada tacos for $3 each and a gigantic, 32-ounce cup of jamaica water, which cost $6.
The total came up to $16.31, including tax.
As I waited for my order, I took a seat at one of the tables with a bench outside.
After my food was ready, I took a bite into one of my tacos. The meat was delicious and savory, and the tortilla was perfectly soft.
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I then took a huge sip of my red jamaica water, which tasted tart and fruity. My drink was the perfect option for a hot day, since it was very refreshing.
Next to me, one family was eating burgers and corn dogs, while the family to my right was enjoying wood-fired pizza from the Nuovo Pizza food truck
Is Gazebo Gardens affordable?
Gazebo Gardens is definitely an affordable outing, with reasonably priced options at several food trucks
For example, a cheese pizza from Nuovo Pizza cost $15, while an Angus beef burger from Bob’s and Brews was $9.99. A mini corndog, featuring an all-beef hot dog hand-dipped in freshly made cornbread-style batter, was $8 at Corndog Co.
For folks with a sweet tooth, Big Foot Ice Cream sells soft-serve ice cream for $5 to $8. Flavors include Rocky Road, Choco Joy and Fruity Pebbles.
What are Gazebo Gardens open hours?
Gazebo Gardens is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The beer garden runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, with a different act taking the stage each night.
Where should I go next?
Have any ideas on where I should visit next in the Fresno area on a budget?
Send me recommendations at fgalan@fresnobee.com or by filling out the form below
This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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